Finance & supply chain · Short course
Supply Chain Management
Coordinating sourcing, purchasing and delivery across the supply chain.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Coordinating sourcing, purchasing and delivery across the supply chain.
The programme brings together supply chain planning, sourcing, delivery management and supply chain review. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A service operation experiences stock shortages caused by disconnected planning and purchasing decisions. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Supply-chain officers, procurement staff and operational managers.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Map demand, purchasing and delivery information flows.
- Prepare sourcing questions and supplier selection considerations.
- Identify improvements to inventory and delivery coordination.
- Review supply-chain risks and performance evidence.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Supply chain planning
This part of the programme examines supply chain planning, with attention to organisational needs and flows. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Organisational needs.
- Flows.
- Applied work: map demand, purchasing and delivery information flows.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map demand, purchasing and delivery information flows. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Sourcing
This part of the programme examines sourcing, with attention to supplier options and purchasing coordination. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Supplier options.
- Purchasing coordination.
- Applied work: prepare sourcing questions and supplier selection considerations.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare sourcing questions and supplier selection considerations. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Delivery management
This part of the programme examines delivery management, with attention to inventory, logistics and service performance. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Inventory.
- Logistics.
- Service performance.
- Applied work: identify improvements to inventory and delivery coordination.
Illustrative practical exercise
Identify improvements to inventory and delivery coordination. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Supply chain review
This part of the programme examines supply chain review, with attention to risks, information and improvement. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Risks.
- Information.
- Improvement.
- Applied work: review supply-chain risks and performance evidence.
Illustrative practical exercise
Review supply-chain risks and performance evidence. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A service operation experiences stock shortages caused by disconnected planning and purchasing decisions. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.