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