Supply Management Training
Overview
Learn how to handle the entire production flow – from a to z – of a product or service. Design, plan, execute, control and monitor the flow of goods and services to create net value, a competitive infrastructure, synchronize supply with demand and measure performance.
In our region, more and more businesses recognize the need for trained staff in this area. This program shapes, strengthens and guides future careers in the industry and is particularly beneficial for anyone who influences an organization’s procurement decisions, such as: junior buyers, purchasing assistants, production planners, warehouse clerks, material handlers, logistics administrators, inventory coordinators, associates, analysts and specialists.
Available in an online, part-time format, this program is offered through a series of technical courses and soft-skill workshops. Regularly scheduled classes, led by industry instructors, offer guidance in learning the essentials of determining quantity, specifications and price—the cornerstones of procurement—as well as softskills such as listening, spoken and written communication, persuasiveness and the ability to explain complex issues.
Learn to balance the pressures of large, low-cost per unit order sizes against warehouse space and the ageing of inventory. Understand the negotiation process and roadmap for leading or participating in successful negotiations. Become knowledgeable in the advantages and limitations of the four modes of transportation: road, rail, air and water, as well as intermodal transportation. Develop a strategic plan in a supply management role and link the strategic plan to a budget.
This program equips early- to mid-level practitioners with the necessary skills to support supply chain functions and the related business skills to help advance their careers. It is also beneficial for those with supervisory/management responsibility who seek basic knowledge of their direct reports’ supply management functional areas.
Supply Management Training Program Info Session
Learn more about Assiniboine's Supply Management Training program offered online. We'll cover program details, career opportunities, Q&A and more!
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Uncover the Pathway to Supply Chain Success
Explore supply chain management as a career and hear professionals in the industry talk about their current careers and pathway.
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Admissions
There are no admission requirements for this program.
English is the language of instruction at Assiniboine. All applicants educated outside of Canada or in a country not on the test exempt list are expected to meet the English language proficiency requirement. See assiniboine.net/elp for more information.
If you don’t meet these admission requirements please visit our adult learning page for more information on assessment of special circumstances.
NEXT STEPS
Apply online by visiting the Apply to a Program page. Choose “On-Campus and Distance Education programs for domestic students”. Create an account and select Home Inspection and preferred start date in your program choice.
Careers & Connections
In partnership with Supply Chain Canada.
Tools & Supplies
Course Number |
Course Title |
Textbook |
---|---|---|
BUSN-0225 |
Intro to Procurement |
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, by Monczka, Handfield, Giunipero and Patterson. Seventh Edition, South Western. ISBN 0-357-44214-8 |
BUSN-0223 |
Intro to Logistics |
Principles of Supply Chain Management (5th edition), by Joel D. Wisener, Keah-Choon Tan and Keong Leong, South-Western. |
Visit the Bookstore’s website to learn more.
At-Home Computing
For this program, you are expected to have access to a computer at home with internet access.
Courses & Costs
To receive a Supply Management Training certificate of achievement, students must successfully complete 19 credits.
Tuition, fees and Student Association fees total approximately $7,950. All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.
Procurement (BUSN-0225) | 3 Credits
From recognizing a need to issuing a purchase order, participants learn the essentials of determining quantity, specifications and price that are the cornerstones of procurement. This course covers a variety of procurement scenarios; repetitive purchases of production materials, procuring on-time low-cost items, large capital goods acquisition and securing commodities under long-term supply contracts. The opportunities and challenges of international procurement versus domestic procurement discussed. Participants gain broad understanding of the role of procurement and the various ways it can be organized.
Logistics (BUSN-0223) | 3 Credits
Prerequisite: BUSN-0225 Procurement
The interconnections between procurement, operations and transportation is explored in this course. Participants discuss how to balance the pressures for large order sizes to achieve low unit costs with the competing pressures to keep order sizes low to minimize warehouse space and inventory obsolescence. The options of few centralized warehouses versus multiple distributed warehouses are addressed. Among the topics covered are forecasting, uncertainty, safety stocks and customer service requirements. Computer systems, such as DRP, WMS and TMS are also be presented.
Transportation (BUSN-0226) | 3 Credits
Prerequisite: BUSN-0223 Logistics
Participants learn the advantages and limitations of the 4 modes of transportation: road, rail, air and water, as well as intermodal transportation. Topics covered include the role of freight forwarders, brokers and integrated transportation companies. This course introduces participants to transportation documentation and allows them to experience basic load planning. Participants gain an overview of contracts, insurance, customs clearance and letters of credit. The fundamentals of Incoterms 2010 and their impact on buyer-seller responsibility for transportation are also examined.
Operations Management (BUSN-0224) | 3 Credits
Prerequisite: BUSN-0226 Transportation
This course familiarizes participants with Operations Management in manufacturing, distribution and service organizations as they learn the basics of location, selection and layout. Topics covered are capacity planning and scheduling, as well as key concepts of JIT/LEAN, OPT/TOC and MRP. Participants discuss the challenges of balancing capacity with demand and are introduced to forecasting techniques, demand planning and inventory ordering. Quality systems and continuous improvement methodologies, including Deming, Juran, ISO 9000 and Six Sigma, are also addressed.
Comms and Rational Skills (BUSN-0407) | 1 Credit
Prerequisite: BUSN-0224 Operations Management
Essential to the successful supply chain professional are the competencies of listening skills, spoken and written communication, persuasiveness and the ability to explain complex issues up and down the organization and around the supply chain. Another critical ability is building effective inter-organizational supply chain relationships. This workshop covers how to create and deliver strong presentations and how to be professional in your spoken communications by looks at steak, sizzle and style. Non-verbal communications such as appearance and body language are also explored. The workshop offers guidance on producing clear, concise and compelling reports and written communication, and examines do’s and don’ts in electronic communication today.
Negotiation Skills (BUSN-0202) | 2 Credits
Prerequisite: COMM-0407 Comms and Relational Skills
Negotiation skills are an essential competency for any manager, and especially those responsible for supply chain management. This workshop provides participants with a roadmap for leading or participating in successful negotiations. Participants focus on the entire negotiation process, and learn the activities and techniques to be used from the preparation stage to the actual face-to-face negotiations. It covers understanding the other negotiator, responding to power imbalances, as well as looking beyond the deal to building longer-term relationships. Interactive activities, including negotiation simulations and role-playing exercises, feature prominently and allow opportunities to fine-tune negotiation skills.
Marketing (MKTG-0074) | 1 Credit
Prerequisite: ACCT-0059 Accounting
Participants learn the role and purpose of marketing with a special emphasis on how marketing affects supply management. The differences between marketing and sales, marketing products and services, as well as B2B and B2C marketing are addressed. Market research, understanding your competition, market segmentation and market selection are key topics covered. Among other subjects discussed are the marketing mix: the “4 Ps” of product, pricing, place and promotion. Strategies for market leaders and market followers are also outlined.
Competitive Bids/Contract Mgmt (BUSN-0196) | 1 Credit
Prerequisite: BUSN-0202 Negotiation Skills
Competitive bidding and contract management, if not handled properly, can lead to serious legal and financial consequences for any organization. This workshop seeks to equip you with the tools required to turn this into a competitive advantage for your enterprise. The workshop looks at the conditions for successful competitive bidding and the elements of the bidding process, including RFPs and RFQs. Electronic tendering is also addressed. The workshop moves on to examine types of contract and contract law. Candidates also gain an understanding of writing contract terms and how to manage a contract from performance review to dispute resolution and termination.
Accounting & Finance (ACCT-0059) | 1 Credit
Prerequisite: BUSN-0196 Competitive Bids/Contract Mgmt
This seminar provides a comprehensive overview of how finance impacts supply management. Basic terminology used in finance and accounting are defined. Participants learn how to read financial statements and understand how decisions are taken. They are also introduced to using key ratios to interpret financial information. The principles of accounting and budgeting are presented. Participants gain an understanding of how supply management practitioners make a business case for an investment and evaluate investment opportunities.
Marketing (MKTG-0074) | 1 Credit
Prerequisite: ACCT-0059 Accounting
Participants learn the role and purpose of marketing with a special emphasis on how marketing affects supply management. The differences between marketing and sales, marketing products and services, as well as B2B and B2C marketing are addressed. Market research, understanding your competition, market segmentation and market selection are key topics covered. Among other subjects discussed are the marketing mix: the “4 Ps” of product, pricing, place and promotion. Strategies for market leaders and market followers are also outlined.
Business Planning (BUSN-0222) | 1 Credit
Prerequisite: MKTG-0074 Marketing
Every department has a critical role to play in delivering an organization’s strategy. This seminar provides an overview of strategic planning in an organization and the basic elements of a strategic analysis (SWOT). The Porter 5-forces model for analyzing the competitive environment is introduced. Topics covered include critical success factors, strategic maps and company positioning, and strategic model (low-cost, differentiation, niche). Participants discuss how to develop a strategic plan in a supply management role and the linkages between the strategic plan and a budget.
Note: Timelines, applicable industry experience, and teaching methodology will depend on program delivery choice; program information sheets subject to change without notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who would benefit from the Supply Management Training program?
The Program would be of interest to anyone seeking knowledge of supply management. It shapes, strengthens and guides future careers in the industry. SMT is particularly beneficial for:
- Junior buyers, purchasing assistants, production planners, warehouse clerks, material handlers, logistics administrators, inventory coordinators, associates, analysts and specialists.
- Individuals who work outside supply management but have some procurement, logistics, transportation or operations responsibilities.
- Those with supervisory/management responsibility seeking basic knowledge of their direct reports’ supply management functional areas.
- Anyone who influences an organization’s procurement decisions.
Do I need to apply to the Supply Management Training program?
Yes. Although there are no admission requirements, an application is required. Apply now!
How do I register for a Supply Management Training course?
Once you have been accepted to the program, you will receive email instructions on how to register and pay for your course(s) online through MyACC.
Can I take a few courses in the program without applying?
If you are not an active Assiniboine student in a certificate program, but you are interested in taking a few courses, you may do so up to a maximum of 12 credits. To register, contact Registrar’s Office by calling 204.725.8701 to register with a credit card.
I've successfully completed the required courses for this program. How do I receive my credential?
Students that have successfully completed all the program requirements can complete an Application to Graduate form and email to registration@assiniboine.net to receive their credential.