In spare parts distribution center, where there are high performance requirements and very detailed level of planning is needed, the role of inventory management was discussed. The expansion of the role to cover more responsibilities than standard control para- meter setting was considered as a requirement for decreasing the variabilitie throughout the company’s distribution chain. This suggestion was supported by the finding that the company was not able to improve performance in the groups where demand variabilitie and supplier capabilities need to be affected. Thus there is a requirement for differentiated improvement actions considering the characteristics of the given categorization group. As further study, more research could be done in understanding the distribution chain dynamics in the interfaces of the three aspects and how they could be proactively affected to minimize the existing variabilitie.