The opening of the global marketplace has led to continually intensifying competition, forcing firms to focus on streamlining their operations to generate savings from a leaner and more responsive supply chain. It has been estimated that 80% of the costs of a typical manufacturing company is in their supply chain while in the case of a retailer it is likely to exceed 70%. Clearly, from these figures it can be seen that even modest improvements in supply chain performance can have a significant effect on the corporate bottom line.

This Master Class deals with the issues of identifying the demand for products and then balancing this with the appropriate supply, addressing key issues involved with determining the level of demand.. Aspects of supply planning are then explored, highlighting the need for different strategies for different products. The use of inventory to balance the flows between supply and demand is then covered, together with the management issues surrounding the attainment of a consensus supply chain plan. A key element throughout is the development of repeatable, cross-functional processes. The course is concluded with an exploration of the opportunities of collaboration.

The Master Class is relevant for anyone involved with or interested in the planning of supply chain flows. It will also provide those directly engaged in the supply chain with an understanding of the broader commercial issues affecting supply chain activity.

The Supply Chain Planning Master Class is intended for managers who require a hands on understanding of the techniques used to plan and integrate the flow of goods through the entire supply chain. Participants generally will be people who have (or who aspire to) a tactical or strategic role in a retail environment. . This course is particularly relevant to organisations looking to plan new operations, review existing processes or to develop collaborative partnerships with suppliers or customers. Organisations considering engaging external consultants to plan the implementation of major supply chain changes, may find it more cost effective (and certainly more motivational) to use this Master Class to provide their own people with the expertise to manage this implementation themselves.

Participants will learn by using a simulated commercial environment where they will take on the role of a newly appointed Supply Chain Manager in a fictitious, but realistic company. Their specialist coach takes on the role of their manager, and sets the learners a series of challenging tasks around a major change to the management of the supply chain. The learner explains how they would complete the tasks within the simulated environment and completes a series of reports, periodically submitted to their ‘manager’ (the coach), who is on hand should the learner require guidance.

Participants will be required to develop and demonstrate a detailed knowledge of:

The Supply Chain Network Planning Master Class is available as a five day face-to-face event, by distance learning or by a blend of the two. For an additional fee, face to face courses can be put into context to reflect a particular company’s operation and culture.

As the blend of learning will vary depending on the needs and learning style of the learners, there is no set fee.

Classroom based, ideal for a group of people who benefit from a participative inter-active approach

A coach supported private study option where learners can work where and when they wish

Course Content

Demand Planning
- Ability to calculate a consensus forecast with cross functional components
- Familiarity with a variety of forecasting techniques
- An appreciation of the impact of various demand features (trends, seasonality, fast and slow moving items) on a forecast
- An understanding of ways in which various policies or actions can shift demand
- A practical understanding of the impact of monitoring forecast performance and taking corrective action.
Supply Planning
- An understanding of the segmentation factors determining supply chain combinations
- An appreciation and evaluation of supply chain strategic requirements
- How to configure supply chain to obtain strategic fit.
- An understanding of how different definitions of time can impact on supply
- chain activity
- How to use cross functional processes to determine supply requirements
Inventory Planning
- An understanding of the factors that affect the positioning of inventory within the supply chain
- Business rules to manage inventory at each stock point
- An appreciation of the parameters involved in the calculation of safety stock
- The range of various systems for managing inventory levels
Supply Chain Planning
- How to balance supply and demand using factors involved in sales and operations planning
- Determining aggregated demand to assess supply requirements by location
- The process of conducting a “what if” analysis to develop plan sensitivities
Collaboration
- How to identify and select appropriate partners for supply chain collaboration
- The quantification of benefits accruing from collaborative relationships
- Using cross functional processes to progress collaborative relationships

Logistics Learning Alliance also offer courses in:

ow is a list of courses that Logistics Learning provide.

Supply Chain Flow Planning Master Class

Course Content