Foundations of Supply Chain Management

A user-friendly, self-paced, and modernized learning experience makes the Foundations of Supply Chain Management program motivating, engaging, and attainable for beginners to mid-career professionals.

Courses are delivered entirely online. Content includes readings, videos, and brain-boosting activities to help you retain your new knowledge.

You do not need to complete the full module in one sitting. Make progress in this course at your own pace.

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Seat Time: 18 hours (3 hours per module)

Maintenance Points: 18 points

The proper management of inventory, the planning process, manufacturing, distribution management, logistics, processes, and the purchasing function are fundamental to a successful supply chain. This course covers key concepts and terms to start building a working knowledge of the methods, techniques, and language of operations management and supply chain management.

Seat Time: 27 hours (3 hours per module)

Maintenance Points: 24 points (+3 for first-time completion of any Foundations course*)

Learn to describe how the management of processes and operations is affected by product volume, service requirements, variety, demand variation and visibility. Discover the principles of effective product and service design. Gain knowledge of valuable project management models that you can apply to projects and daily operations.

Seat Time: 27 hours (3 hours per module)

Maintenance Points: 24 points (+3 for first-time completion of any Foundations course*)

Explore how manufacturing strategy informs manufacturing process choices. Describe the necessary elements for an effective product-structure-management process. Discover how manufacturing professionals determine needs using material requirements planning (MRP).

Seat Time: 27 hours (3 hours per module)

Maintenance Points: 24 points (+3 for first-time completion of any Foundations course*)

Learn how to create a business strategy. Work with a business planning model to develop a mission and vision. Explore the universal principles of forecast management. Define and understand demand management. Dive into the details of sales and operations planning.

Seat Time: 27 hours (3 hours per module)

Maintenance Points: 24 points (+3 for first-time completion of any Foundations course*)

Learn why distribution channels are so important. Be able to describe different channel design models. Explain tradeoffs between different channel network designs, including customer response time, product variety, product availability and delivery time. Explore inventory management and its function in distribution and logistics.

Seat Time: 27 hours (3 hours per module)

Maintenance Points: 24 points (+3 for first-time completion of any Foundations course*)

Learn to explain how inventory objectives must be balanced with the needs of marketing, sales, and finance. Discover the key decisions made by effective inventory managers. Gain knowledge of how inventory accuracy is maintained and apply that knowledge to make an impact.