The course follows an integrated approach towards logistics in the supply chain and encourages delegates to collaborate with other members of a supply chain to achieve lowest total logistics costs and to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

The course will enable delegates to make rational decisions with regard to the movement and positioning of inventory in the supply chain with due consideration of customer requirements and supply chain efficiency.

More specifically, delegates will be able to:

· Add value to a supply chain through efficient logistics practices in the supply chain

· Follow an integrated management approach towards logistics in the supply chain

· Identify profitable customers in the supply chain to decide which customers should be rendered a basic service, zero defect service or value added service

· Implement optimum customer service strategies from a logistics viewpoint

· Develop an effective channel strategy (selecting distribution channels)

· Set optimum inventory levels using basic methods

· Optimise inventories through proper logistics requirement planning in the supply chain

· Make appropriate transport arrangements with due consideration of product and market characteristics and of transport costs

· Understand the role of warehousing, materials handling and packaging in logistics

· Contribute towards optimum design of a supply chain network (number and location of depots/warehouses).

Understanding what Logistics and the Supply Chain are about

· Definitions of logistics and Supply Chain management

· The interrelations and connections of Buying, Making, Moving, and Selling activities

· History and the development

· A view of the future.

Key Aspects of Supply Chain Management

· The cost/service balance

· Customer service principles

· Lead times throughout the supply chain

· Adding value

· Production options/changes

· Trade off opportunities

The Benefits of adopting a Supply Chain approach

· Understanding the sub functional conflicts

· Benefits within and between functions Taking a supply chain view of total acquisition costs

· Accepting that competitive advantage comes from the Supply Chain

Why a Supply Chain approach will change traditional ways

· Looking at demand amplifications, and the "Forester" effect,

· Appreciating the effects of uncertainty and unresponsiveness

· Seeing how we currently manage the supply chain

· Changing the way we manage the Supply Chain for effectiveness

Impacts to the Supplier/Customer relationships

· Practical effects on lot sizes/order quantities

· Reducing costs

· Sharing developments

· Eliminating internal and external barriers

· Interfacing versus integrating relationships.

Case Studies

· Manufacturing and Retailer case studies

· The major lessons and key aspects from experience

Implementing a Logistics/Supply Chain management approach

· The changes needed with suppliers and customers.

· The changes need to internal organization and management practices

· Potential action needed

· The "doing nothing" future, with “lessons from experience”

· Guarding against futures of higher stock levels and competition gains

· Breaking down traditional silo/closed management

A 5 step approach to Logistics and Supplier Development

· The model (“Should we, Benefits and Drawbacks, Internal Issues, Key Issues, And Finally”)

The Supply Chain Rules (Encore)

· The rules to give competitive advantage from effective Supply Chain Management.

· Supply, Buying, Purchase, Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Managers

· Those who need to develop their limited understanding about Logistics and Supply Chain Management

· Those who are looking for business gains and benefits from managing their supply chains more effectively