About the Course

In today's business environment, where the volume of suppliers is large, decision-makers must rely on something other than intuition to make strategic decisions. Also, as the global marketplace has evolved, the procurement function has moved from a purely operational purchase order fulfilment department to a more strategic role. The current nature of international business and its increasingly complex supply chain networks demand advanced tools to meet the complexity and accelerating change in procurement.

This 5-day interactive Supply Chain Management Masterclass training course explores key concepts forming the holistic basis of supply chain management. It moves modern organisations from a typical tactical focus to the strategic focus needed to successfully implement the processes and methods needed to reach world-class performance.

For delegates wishing to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of supply chains, international trade, and the use of information technology to enable supply chains, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire and hone their skills. Global supply chain trends will be analysed, and the latest educational tools will be utilised to give delegates valuable insight and hands-on training in supply chain management and the lucrative careers they can build on from there. It will provide the knowledge, understanding and management of these criteria. It will equip them with the ability to establish and deliver a seamless Logistics and Supply Chain Management capability for their organisation, capitalising skills and potential to assume progressive roles and responsibilities, complementing both their organisation's success and, as significantly, their career ambitions, irrespective of which industry segment or sector they may choose.

Core Objectives

The delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the high-level supply chain management and be equipped with practical skills to apply in real-world scenarios
• Ability to provide a thorough knowledge and understanding of world-class supply chain management practices and their role in developing and maintaining competitive advantage
• Acquire expert experience in viewing supply chain situations from the perspective of suppliers and customers of manufacturers and service providers 
• Familiarise with the tools and applications used in supply chain process evaluation and engineering, including sustainability aspects, people, leadership, and change management aspects
• Become aware and knowledgeable of how to measure functional and supplier efficiencies 
• Learn how to mentor departmental staff, peers and stakeholders on advanced Logistics and SCM concepts
• Know how to contribute and drive organisational growth through the development of ongoing efficiency improvement programmes 
• Influence management and stakeholder support for suggested enhanced strategies and tactics
• Become an ambassador for the profession of Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Training Approach

The training course will primarily utilise a mixture of PowerPoint presentation material, video clips where applicable, delegates’ internet research and facilitating classroom group activities where practical case studies can be understood and discussed. It will also encourage delegates to provide their experiences of successes achieved in their businesses.

The Attendees

It is suitable for a wide range of working professionals, including (but not limited to) the following delegates that have a direct involvement or exposure to the impact of procurement management:

• Procurement and Supply Management
• Logistics Management
• Operations Management
• HSE Management
• Finance Management
• Project Management
• Contracts and Legal Management
• Sales Management
• Marketing Management

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: INTRODUCTION TO SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

• Role of Supply Chain Management in Business
• The Basics of Supply Chain Management and Its Importance in Today's Business Environment
• Key Components of a Supply Chain:
  • Suppliers
  • Manufacturers
  • Distributors, Retailers
  • Customers

• Overview of Demand Forecasting Techniques
• Various Activities Involved in Supply Chain Management
• The Role of Technology and Data Analytics in Optimising Supply Chain Operations and Improving Efficiency
• Challenges and Risks Associated with Supply Chain Management (Demand Variability, Supply Disruptions, and Global Sourcing)
• Strategies and Best Practices for Managing Supply Chains
• Sustainability and Ethical Considerations in Supply Chain Management

DAY TWO: INVENTORY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES 

• Centralised Inventory Management System
• Demand Forecasting Techniques
• Just-In-Time (JIT) Inventory Management
• Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) System
• Barcode or Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology
• Cross-Docking Strategy
• Safety Stock Strategy
• Data Analytics and Inventory Optimisation Software

DAY THREE: LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

• The Planning, Execution, and Control of the Movement and Storage of Goods and Materials
• Transportation Planning, Route Optimisation, Carrier Selection, and Freight Management
• Logistics and Transportation Management
• Key Strategies and Techniques in Logistics and Transportation Management:
  • Inventory Optimisation
  • Demand Forecasting
  • Network Design

• Crucial Tools in Logistics and Transportation Management are widely used:
  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

• The Requirement for Collaboration and Communication with Suppliers, Carriers, and Other Stakeholders
• Continuous Improvement and Performance
• Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: Green Logistics and Alternative Fuel Vehicles Gaining Traction

DAY FOUR: SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMISATION TECHNIQUES

• Analysing and Improving the Efficiency of the Entire Supply Chain Process
• Optimising Inventory Levels, Transportation Routes, and Production Schedules to Minimise Costs and Maximise Customer Satisfaction
• Deploying Techniques to Identify Areas for Improvement:
  • Demand Forecasting
  • Network Optimisation
  • Inventory Optimisation

• Collaborating with Suppliers and Customers
• Advanced Technologies:
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Machine Learning

• Continuous Improvement and Data Analysis as Key Components of Supply Chain Optimisation
• Supply Chain Optimisation: Reducing Costs, Improved Customer Service, and Increased Profitability for Businesses
• Regularly Evaluate and Update Supply Chain Optimisation Strategies

DAY FIVE: INTEGRATION AND COLLABORATION IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

• Coordination and Cooperation between Different Entities within the Supply Chain
• Improving Communication and Information Sharing among Entities
• The Use of Technology: Supply Chain Management Software
• Reducing Lead Times and Improving Order Fulfilment by Streamlining Processes and Eliminating Bottlenecks
• Building Strong Relationships and Partnerships with Suppliers and Customers
• Improved Demand Forecasting and Planning by Sharing Sales and Inventory Data with Suppliers and Other Partners
• Facilitating Cost Savings:
  • Inventory Management
  • Reduced Stockouts
  • Improved Transportation & Logistics Efficiency

• Significance for Supply Chain Resilience and Agility