Essentials of Supply Chain Management

Supply chains are complex interactions of materials, products, processes, and information that need to be synchronized across time and geography. Essentials of Supply Chain Management delivers the essential competencies required for expert management of these diverse pieces on a regional or global scale.

This program is for managers who are new to supply chain processes and searching for best practices in their area of responsibility. Those who work as functional counterparts in finance, information systems, manufacturing, or marketing will also benefit.

Upon completion of Essentials of Supply Chain Management, you will be qualified to:

• Integrate all functions along the chain through shared objectives
• Develop common performance matrices
• Improve customer satisfaction through shorter delivery times, maximizing capital turnover
• Use information technology to enhance performance
• Work effectively with alliances and partnerships in the extended supply chain

Global Supply Chain Management

• Defining the Supply Chain
• Scope of Logistics Activities
• Systems Perspective of the Supply Chain
• Market Demands and Corporate Expectations

Supply Chain Strategies

• Link Between Business Strategy and Logistics
• Motivational and Leadership Technologies
• Value Chain Analysis
• Competing on Speed, Flexibility, Responsiveness, Quality, and Value-Added Services
• Competing Through Alliances

Supply Chain Partnerships

• Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
• Characteristics of Partnerships
• Current Research and "Best Practices"
• Shared Use of Technologies
• Factors Leading to Partnership Satisfaction

Information Technology and the Supply Chain

• The Role of Information Technology (IT) in the Supply Chain
• Innovative Technologies and Their Uses
• IT and Supply Chain Integration

Supply Chain Components and Tools

• Inventory Management Throughout the Chain
• Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
• Manufacturing/Distribution Resource Planning

Creating and Measuring Logistics Value

• Relationship Between Logistics and Customer Satisfaction
• Methodologies for Measuring Effectiveness
• Integrated Logistics Simulation

"One of the best logistics courses I've attended! The faculty/presenters were well prepared and professional. The material was grounded in theory and full of examples and practical application. The facilities and hospitality were five star from arrival to departure! The examples of similarities in the business and defense industry were enlightening for all attendees. If this course can be expanded, I would highly recommend it; the value added for professional development, relevance to current issues, and application to daily business challenges is tremendous. A First Class Operation!"

Lt.Col. J. Reggie Hall
Executive Officer to the Assistant,
Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics

From program design to delivery, we carefully orchestrate all factors to maximize your personal and professional development. Penn State faculty present the most current methodologies and research. Corporate faculty provide benchmark practices and timely insight on contemporary issues.

Essentials of Supply Chain Management also includes a valuable supply chain simulation exercise called LINKS. LINKS encompasses all major supply chain elements: suppliers, manufactures, distributors, retailers, and end-users. In a non-threatening but competitive environment, participant "firms" apply newly learned program concepts to manufacturing, distributing, and selling the "product" in three regional markets. Your firm is responsible for high-level generated demand decisions, information technology, and research studies to ensure that supply chain management is well-positioned within enterprise-wide management considerations. Your goal is to improve your firm's overall financial, operating, and market performance.

“The overall quality of this program was outstanding. It provided a learning experience that allows individuals to become assets to their organization.”

--Christy Sim, Aviation Supply Specialist, US Marine Corps

Essentials of Supply Chain Management instructors include world-class faculty leaders from Penn State and other leading institutions, as well as supply chain professionals. Each instructor has an extensive background in research and consulting, and in educating executives. Each brings to the classroom best-practice tools and implementation processes for achieving world-class results.

Faculty Director

Doug Thomas, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management, The Smeal College of Business, Penn State

Faculty Leaders from Smeal College of Business

John J. Coyle, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration
Read about Dr. Coyle in the July/August 2009 issue of Supply Chain Management Review "Profiles in Leadership" section.

William L. Grenoble III, Executive Director, Center for Supply Chain Research

Robert A. Novack, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management

Susan B. Purdum, Administrative Director, Center for Supply Chain Research

Faculty Leaders from Business and Industry

Paul M. Avampato, Vice President of Distribution, Kraft Foods North America

Michael K. Gray, Supply Chain Evangelist

Andrew Helveston, Director, CPFR, Johnson & Johnson Sales & Logistics Company LLC

Scott Stephens, CEO, Business Forerunners, Inc.

Additional Supply Chain Offerings Include:

• Processes and Tools for Supply Chain Success  covers the latest technology and methods for defining, analyzing, and making recommendations for performance improvements.

• Achieving Supply Chain Transformation  covers the critical elements of adaptive supply chain management: strategy, people, process, IT, and assessment.

• Designing and Leading Competitive Supply Chains  covers developing supply chain systems that support organizational strategy.

• Applying Lean Principles Across the Supply Chain introduces a systemic approach for applying Lean thinking to supply chain challenges and focuses on principles, tools, and application of strategy for greater speed and efficiency.

• Developing World-Class Supply Chain Collaboration  provides the tools and learning, based on practical applications, to start or improve your collaboration initiatives.

• Building Global Supply Chains for Competitive Advantage - NEW addresses supply chain macroeconomic factors, leading teams across geographies, global trade management and transportation issues.

There is no prerequisite for attending any of these programs. An Executive Programs representative will be happy to help you select the appropriate program for your current level of responsibility.

This program is cosponsored by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
333 East Butterfield Road, Suite 140
Lombard, IL 60148
630-574-0985
Fax: 630-574-0989