In an increasingly interconnected and competitive world, businesses must manage not only what happens within their own walls but also across suppliers, distributors, and global markets. At the center of this interconnectedness lies the supply chain—the system that ensures goods, services, and information move seamlessly from raw material suppliers to end customers. Without effective supply chain management, organizations risk inefficiency, delays, increased costs, and reduced customer satisfaction.
The complexity of supply chains has grown exponentially over the last two decades due to globalization, advancing technology, rising customer expectations, and disruptions like pandemics or geopolitical conflicts. Analytics now plays a critical role, enabling organizations to forecast demand, anticipate risks, and optimize operations.
The Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management course, provided by Oxford Training Centre (OTC), builds a strong foundation in supply chain concepts while integrating modern themes such as collaboration, resilience, compliance, and sustainability. It bridges theory and practice through case studies, exercises, and real-world examples, preparing participants to design efficient, ethical, and future-ready supply networks.
Objective
The course has the following objectives:
- Develop a clear understanding of supply chain concepts.
- Introduce analytics for forecasting, monitoring, and decision-making.
- Explore optimization and efficiency methods to reduce costs.
- Highlight collaboration and supplier integration strategies.
- Build resilience and risk management capabilities.
- Understand compliance, regulations, and ethical practices.
- Incorporate sustainability into supply chain practices.
- Prepare participants for future trends such as digital transformation.
Target Audience
This course is designed for:
- Early-career professionals in logistics, procurement, production, or operations.
- Managers and supervisors overseeing supply chain activities.
- Business analysts and planners involved in forecasting and resource allocation.
- Entrepreneurs and small business owners aiming for efficient supply chains.
- Government officials, policymakers, and regulators in trade and compliance.
- University students and graduates pursuing careers in supply chain management.
Course Modules
Module 1: Foundations of Supply Chain Management
- History, evolution, and relevance of supply chains
- Core components: procurement, production, distribution, reverse logistics
- Supply chains and corporate strategy
- Case study on global supply chain success
Module 2: Supply Chain Analytics
- Importance of analytics in supply chains
- Demand forecasting methods
- Key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Predictive decision-making insights
- Forecasting exercise with sample data
Module 3: Optimization and Efficiency
- Identifying inefficiencies
- Lean and Six Sigma in supply chains
- Transport route optimization and warehouse design
- Balancing flexibility and service
- Workshop on cost reduction strategies
Module 4: Collaboration and Integration
- Supplier relationship management
- Breaking silos across functions
- Role of digital platforms in collaboration
- Case example: Retailer–supplier seasonal demand
Module 5: Resilience and Risk Management
- Common risks in supply chains
- Building redundancy and contingency planning
- Agility in disruption response
- Simulation exercise on supplier failure
Module 6: Compliance and Governance
- Trade regulations and customs documentation
- ISO standards and security initiatives
- Ethical sourcing and corporate governance
- Transparency through audits
- Discussion on compliance and reputation
Module 7: Sustainability in Supply Chains
- ESG factors and circular economy
- Energy-efficient transport and packaging
- Long-term cost-saving benefits
- Case study on green supply chains
Module 8: Future Trends in Supply Chain Management
- AI, blockchain, IoT in supply chains
- Automation in transport and warehousing
- E-commerce and last-mile delivery challenges
- Skills for future professionals
- Group discussion on supply chain evolution