Have you ever thought about why the goods we purchase from a local vendor or a supermarket never go out of supply? Or why do the companies that manufacture various products never run out of raw materials? The answer to these questions lies in understanding the concept of supply chain management. Right from procuring raw materials and manufacturing products to transporting and delivering the final goods to the customers, the supply chain plays a critical business function. This function is carried out by a team of professionals who are experts in supply chain management. With the growing demands for a multitude of goods, the need for supply chain managers has also increased. To tackle the rising demand, universities across the globe are now offering an array of Supply Chain Management courses. In this blog, we will shed light on some of the courses and the universities offering the same.
This Blog Includes:
- What is Supply Chain Management?
- Benefits of Supply Chain Management
- Skills Required
- Undergraduate Courses
- Postgraduate Courses
- Diploma in Supply Chain Management
- Online Courses for Supply Chain Management
- Top Universities Offering Supply Chain Management Courses
- Syllabus for Supply Chain Management Courses
- Supply Chain Management Courses: Work Profiles
- FAQs
What is Supply Chain Management?
The process of managing the flow of goods and services from their origin to their destination is known as supply chain management (SCM). It includes all the procedures, actions, and materials used to convert raw materials into finished goods for distribution to final customers.
Supply chain management plans and manages the movement of goods, information, and money through the various supply chain stages within and between businesses. Planning and forecasting, purchases, product assembly, movement, storage, distribution, sales, returns, and customer service are all essential components of SCM.
SCM actively streamlines a company’s supply-side operations to shorten the time to market, improve product delivery to customers, and gain a long-term competitive advantage. Businesses can save money, generate more revenue, and get their products to customers faster, better, and cheaper by carefully managing their supply chains.
Main Objectives of Supply Chain Management
There are four main goals of Supply Chain Management that help businesses flourish. Check them out:
- Enhancing fulfilment effectiveness
- Expanding flexibility
- Creating value for customers
- Improving financial results
Relevant Read: MSc Supply Chain Management in UK
Benefits of Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management generates a number of benefits, including increased profits, a better brand image, and a competitive advantage. These are some examples:
- Better ability to predict and meet customer demand;
- Improved supply chain visibility, risk management, and predictive capabilities;
- Fewer process inefficiencies and less product waste;
- Quality improvements;
- Increased societal and environmental sustainability;
- Lower overhead;
- Improved cash flow; and
- More efficient logistics
Relevant Read: Masters in Supply Chain Management in Canada
Skills Required
A student needs to possess a few skills that are helpful when working in a company in order to be interested in Supply Chain Management courses and ultimately choose it as a career.
We’ve compiled a list of some crucial abilities needed to advance in the supply chain management industry below:
Communication Skills | Cooperation |
Observation Skills | Business Ethics |
Team Management | Coordination |
Independent Analysis and Research | Project Management |
Relevant Read: Master of Supply Chain Management in Australia
Undergraduate Courses
There are numerous top-notch universities around the globe that are offering undergraduate SCM courses. Given below are some of the bachelor level Supply Chain Management courses offered by various universities:
- Diploma in Business (Supply Chain and Operations)
- Diploma in Healthcare, Environmental Services Management
- Diploma in Nutrition and Food Services Management
- Business (Supply Chain and Operations)
- B.Com in Operations and Logistics
- BSc in Logistics
- BSc Business Management (Supply Chain Management)
- BSc (Hons) in Food Production and Supply Management
- BBA in Supply Chain Management
- BS in Global Supply Chain Management
- BA in International Logistics Management
- BEng in Logistics Management and Engineering
- Bachelor in Industrial Engineering and Management(Sustainable Supply)
- Bachelor of International Business in Logistics Management
Postgraduate Courses
There are plenty of master’s level supply chain management courses that are offered by numerous universities around the world. Have a look at the list of these courses:
- Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management
- MSc in Supply Chain Management
- MSc in Procurement, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management
- MSc in Transport and Supply Chain Management
- MSc in Innovative Dairy Chain Management
- MSc in Global Logistics
- MCom in Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Master in Business Information and Logistics Management
- Master in Supply Chain Management
- Master of Public Service Management
- MBA in Supply Chain Management
- M.Phill in Business Supply Chain Management
- Postgraduate Diploma in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Must Read: Postgraduate Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Diploma in Supply Chain Management
The Diploma in Supply Chain Management course lasts one year. This course’s knowledge assists managers and executives in a variety of industries in maintaining supply chain management strategies and implementations that save millions of rupees. The Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management in Kolkata, the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies in Pune, and the Loyola Institute of Business Administration in Chennai are among the top institutions that offer this course. A Diploma in Supply Chain Management typically costs between INR 10,000 and INR 80,000. The tuition for this course is determined by the institution chosen and the length of time required to complete the diploma.
Online Courses for Supply Chain Management
A variety of supply chain management courses are now being offered online on numerous educational platforms, including edX, Udemy, Coursera, and others. A few supply chain management certifications that students can pursue online are listed in the table below:
Course Name & Provider | Duration | Fees |
---|---|---|
Operations and Supply Chain Management by Udemy | 1.20 hour | INR 525 |
MicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management by edX + Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 1 year 5 months | INR 1,12,963 |
International Logistics & Transportation in Supply Chain by Udemy | 2.29 hours | INR 525 |
Certified Supply Chain Analyst (CSCA) by edX | 3 months | INR 73,153 |
Risk Management for Supply Chain and Procurement Specialists by Udemy | 1.07 hour | INR 525 |
Top Universities Offering Supply Chain Management Courses
A wide range of degree and diploma programs are offered in the field of Logistics as well as Supply Chain Management by renowned universities and institutes around the globe. Here is a list of some of the major universities that are known for their Supply Chain Management courses:
- Centennial College, Canada
- University of Sydney, Australia
- University College Dublin
- The University of Huddersfield, UK
- Paris School of Business
- Griffith University, Australia
- University of Liverpool
- Lehigh University, USA
- University of Plymouth, UK
- PSB Academy, Singapore
- Michigan State University, USA
- Bellevue University, Nebraska
- University of Southampton, UK
- Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
- Audencia Business School, France
- Massey University, New Zealand
- Victoria University, Australia
Must Read: Top Universities for Supply Chain Management in UK
Syllabus for Supply Chain Management Courses
The syllabus for this course can vary a bit depending on the university you are studying in. However, the general topics remain the same in every university. The following table lists some significant topics covered in the Supply Chain Management course syllabus:
Marketing Management | Strategic Management | Logistic Management |
World-Class Operations | Business Statistics | Management Theory and Practice |
International Logistics and Supply Chain Management | Business Communication | Operations Management |
Retail Logistics | Business Accounting | Customer Relationship Management |
Project Management | Small Business Management | Marketing of Logistics |
Managerial Economics | Introduction to Multimodal and Transportation | Business Environment |
Warehouse Management | Integrated Logistics Management | Financial Management |
Logistics Information System | Project Formulation and Appraisal | Modern Logistics Operations |
Understanding Logistics | Event Management | Export and Import Management |
Must Read: SOP for Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management Courses: Work Profiles
The aim of supply chain management courses is not only to familiarise students with the basic techniques of maintaining the flow of supplies but also to equip them with the skills that can help in reducing supply chain costs throughout the process. As a supply chain professional, you will be required to give input in inventory planning, management, and storage; sourcing of raw materials and goods production, and overseeing transportation and logistics. Below are some of the job profiles you can work on.
- Purchasing Agent: As a purchasing agent, you will be responsible for procuring raw materials and equipment for manufacturing goods. You will also be required to negotiate with the vendors and dealers.
- Operations Manager: The primary responsibilities include heading the production team, overseeing the overall manufacturing process, and reviewing performances.
- Supply Chain Manager: The primary duties of a supply chain manager are to handle, coordinate, limit costs, and increase the overall productivity of the company.
Top Recruiters
The graduates of the Supply Chain Management course get a wide range of job opportunities across the globe. Below is a list of some of the top employment agencies that seek out qualified candidates.
FAQs
Work in the supply chain is rewarding.
In fact, 88% of respondents said they have a positive outlook on their careers and would recommend supply chain as a fulfilling career to others on a scale of 1 to 10.
A National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma Endorsement, or an equivalent qualification with an English (home language or first additional language) Achievement Level of at least 4, and a Mathematical Literacy Achievement Level of 3 or 4.
The movement and storage of materials, information, inventory, goods, and money as they move from the point of origin to the point of purchase is the focus of supply chain management or SCM for short.
Thus, there is a wide range of Supply Chain Management courses being offered across the world. If you are planning to pursue a program in this field, get in touch with our Leverage Edu counsellors and we will help you in choosing the right course, completing the admission formalities, and helping you successfully get into your dream university.