Supply Chain Management
Unit Outlines

Supply Chain Management

AI Generated Intermediate 40 hours 9 topics

Learning Objectives

6 objectives
  • Understand the core concepts and significance of supply chain management.
  • Analyze the design and optimization of supply chain networks.
  • Apply inventory management and demand forecasting techniques.
  • Evaluate supplier relationships and logistics strategies.
  • Incorporate sustainability and risk management principles into supply chain operations.
  • Measure and improve supply chain performance using key performance indicators.

Content Outline

Preview

Unit 1006: Supply Chain Management Fundamentals

1. Introduction to Supply Chain Management

  • Definition and scope of supply chain management (SCM)
  • Importance of SCM in business operations
  • Overview of supply chain flows: materials, information, and finances
  • Objectives of SCM: efficiency, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction

2. Supply Chain Network Design

  • Components of a supply chain network: suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, distributors, retailers
  • Factors influencing network design: customer demand, cost, service levels
  • Network design models and decision criteria
  • Sourcing strategies and production location decisions
  • Distribution and logistics considerations

3. Inventory Management

  • Role of inventory in supply chains
  • Types of inventory: raw materials, work-in-progress, finished goods
  • Inventory costs: carrying costs, ordering costs, stockout costs
  • Inventory control techniques: Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), Just-in-Time (JIT), safety stock
  • Inventory review systems: periodic vs continuous

4. Demand Forecasting

  • Importance of accurate demand forecasting
  • Qualitative forecasting methods: expert opinion, market research
  • Quantitative forecasting methods: time series analysis, moving averages, exponential smoothing
  • Forecast accuracy measurement and error analysis
  • Integrating forecasts into supply chain planning

5. Supplier Relationship Management

  • Supplier selection criteria and evaluation
  • Building collaborative supplier relationships
  • Supplier performance measurement
  • Communication and information sharing with suppliers
  • Contract management and negotiation

6. Logistics and Transportation Management

  • Role of logistics in supply chains
  • Transportation modes: road, rail, air, sea, pipeline
  • Route optimization and carrier selection
  • Cost, speed, and reliability trade-offs
  • Warehouse management and order fulfillment

7. Sustainability in Supply Chain

  • Environmental impact of supply chains
  • Principles of green supply chain management
  • Ethical sourcing and fair trade practices
  • Strategies for reducing carbon footprint
  • Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in supply chains

8. Risk Management in Supply Chain

  • Types of supply chain risks: operational, financial, geopolitical, natural disasters
  • Risk identification and assessment techniques
  • Mitigation strategies: diversification, safety stock, contingency planning
  • Role of technology in risk management
  • Case studies of supply chain disruptions

9. Performance Measurement and KPIs

  • Importance of performance measurement
  • Common supply chain KPIs: order fulfillment rate, inventory turnover, lead time, cost per order
  • Balanced scorecard approach
  • Data collection and analysis for continuous improvement
  • Using KPIs for strategic decision-making
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Quick Information

Unit Supply Chain Management
Difficulty Intermediate
Duration40 hours
Topics9
CreatedJul 19, 2026
GeneratedJul 19, 2026 16:53

Prerequisites

  • Basic knowledge of business operations and management principles
  • Familiarity with general logistics and production processes
  • Introductory understanding of statistics and quantitative analysis

Recommended Resources

  • Chopra, S. & Meindl, P. (2021). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation. Pearson.
  • Simchi-Levi, D., Kaminsky, P., & Simchi-Levi, E. (2020). Designing and Managing the Supply Chain: Concepts, Strategies and Case Studies. McGraw-Hill.
  • Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & Supply Chain Management. Pearson UK.
  • Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) - www.cscmp.org
  • Relevant articles from the Journal of Supply Chain Management and Supply Chain Quarterly

Unit Topics

9
Introduction to Supply Chain Management
An overview of what supply chain management entails, including its importance in optimizing the flow...
Supply Chain Network Design
The process of designing an efficient supply chain network, considering factors such as sourcing, pr...
Inventory Management
Strategies and techniques for managing inventory levels effectively to balance the trade-off between...
Demand Forecasting
Methods for predicting future demand for products or services, enabling organizations to plan produc...
Supplier Relationship Management
The management of relationships with suppliers to foster collaboration, enhance communication, and e...
Logistics and Transportation Management
The coordination of transportation modes, routes, and carriers to optimize the movement of goods fro...
Sustainability in Supply Chain
The integration of environmentally and socially responsible practices into supply chain operations t...
Risk Management in Supply Chain
Strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks within the supply chain, including disru...
Performance Measurement and KPIs
Key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of supply chain...