Logistics and Supply Chain Essentials

This course evaluates the role of efficient transportation management and the impact on an organizations supply chain effectiveness. This course will expose students to transportation regulation, risk management, security initiatives, cost analysis, transportation and customs documentation and various transportation decisions. Students will utilize their research skills, critical thinking and analytical skills in a team environment to complete a major case project. Students will complete this project by writing a formal report that will propose complete, effective and efficient logistic/transportation solutions for an organization.

This course is designed to provide an overview of managing inventory and distribution decisions that have a significant impact on the entire supply chain. Students will be introduced to terminology used in inventory and distribution management which they will utilize to perform inventory calculations, analyse inventory and operations issues to minimize the risks in an attempt to maintain or increase their competitive advantage in the marketplace. Topics to be covered include process management, capacity, aggregate planning and scheduling impacts, forecasting, inventory management, storage concepts and methodologies, inventory positioning and its and impact on supply chain management, lean inventory concepts and resource planning. Students will also understand the importance of interpersonal skills as Inventory and distribution relies on good communication to be an effective component of a strong supply chain.

An organization has many considerations to factor when purchasing goods or services; these include selecting the right supplier; whether to outsource or insource; how many suppliers; and what to buy domestically and internationally. Domestic and International Sourcing will give students the problem-solving and critical thinking skills to support an organization in making these sourcing decisions.

This course provides students with the skills to negotiate as supply management practitioners. Students will learn about the field of negotiation and conflict management; strategic approaches to competitive and integrative negotiations; how to prepare for negotiations; how perceptions, cognitions and emotions shape negotiations; how communication impacts negotiations; how parties can use third-party help for disputes; how ethics guide negotiations; and how culture changes the rules of negotiation.