Essentials of Supply Chain Management

Learn the critical foundational concepts required to lead an integrated supply chain operation. Develop common performance metrics, improve customer satisfaction, maximize capital turnover and enhance alliances and partnerships. An industry case study and team-based simulation will provide a hands-on learning opportunity.

Program Benefits

Improve your ability to:

• Manage your supply chain to avoid functional pitfalls
• Minimize supply chain costs while maintaining or improving customer service
• Improve pooling, postponement, and other inventory deployment strategies
• Manage customer service
• Integrate all functions along the chain through shared objectives
• Develop common performance metrics
• Improve customer satisfaction through shorter cycle times, maximizing capital turnover
• Use information technology to enhance performance
• Work effectively with alliances and partnerships in the extended supply chain

Note: This program awards 2.4 CEUs. Penn State Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available based on a standard of one unit per ten hours of classroom instruction.

Program Content

Supply Chain Management

• Defining the Supply Chain
• Scope of Supply Chain Activities
• Systems Perspective of the Supply Chain
• Market Demands and Corporate Expectations

Supply Chain Strategies

• Link Between Business Strategy and Logistics
• Motivational and Leadership Technologies
• Value Chain Analysis
• Competing on Speed, Flexibility, Responsiveness, Quality, and Value-Added Services
• Competing Through Alliances

Supply Chain Partnerships

• Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
• Characteristics of Partnerships
• Current Research and "Best Practices"
• Shared Use of Technologies
• Factors Leading to Partnership Satisfaction

Information Technology and the Supply Chain

• The Role of Information Technology (IT) in the Supply Chain
• Innovative Technologies and Their Uses
• IT and Supply Chain Integration

Supply Chain Components and Tools

• Inventory Management Throughout the Chain
• Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
• Manufacturing/Distribution Resource Planning

Creating and Measuring Logistics Value

• Relationship Between Logistics and Customer Satisfaction
• Methodologies for Measuring Effectiveness
• Integrated Logistics Simulation

Value For You and Your Organization

A valuable supply chain simulation exercise called LINKS will provide hands-on learning in all major supply chain elements: suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and end-users. You’ll apply newly-learned concepts and make high-level decisions as you lead a “firm” in competition with your team by selling a “product” in three regional markets. You will return to your organization having learned best practices for managing the entirety of your supply chain.