Management Essentials: Supply Chain Management: Learn the fundamentals of Supply Chain Logistics, Operations, Planning

Learn the essentials of Supply Chain Management

Explore the fundamentals of Supply Chain Logistics, Operations, Planning and Sourcing

This book is for you, if you are looking to start a career in Supply Chain Management, but lack the basic background. You working with people in Supply Chain Management and want to understand their daily challenges better. You are fascinated by how the global economy is linked together by the flow of products, information, and finances. After you read the book, you will have a richer understanding of the complexities that companies are facing in today's global networked economy.
This book is made up of four parts concerning logistics, operations, planning, and sourcing. The Logistics part will cover transportation, warehousing and inventory, and logistics network design. The Operations part covers techniques used to optimize flow and focuses specifically on Six Sigma quality and Lean practices. In the Planning part, you will master different forecasting approaches. The Sourcing part deals with different techniques that help you create lasting and productive supplier relationships.
Readers will develop their skills in forecasting and logistics. Supply Chain related theories like Lean Six Sigma and the Theory of Constraints are used to enhance you insights.

PART I: LOGISTICS
Have you ever wondered how goods are delivered to us so quickly as soon as we order them? One word: Logistics! In this first part, you will look at this fascinating backbone of global trade. We cover the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. You will be able to differentiate the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of transportation. You will understand what goes into designing and setting up a warehousing facility. Finally, you will be able to select the options that enable you to develop logistics networks, which minimize costs and deliver top customer service.

PART II: OPERATIONS
Have you ever wondered how products and services are created exactly the same thousands of times over? How companies are able to smooth out operations to manufacture efficiently, effectively, and without any waste? How is such precision possible? The answer lies at the heart of operations. In this part, we introduce and apply essential process improvement tools to achieve perfection. You will be able to apply the Six Sigma methodology for process improvement. You will be able to demonstrate that you understand the basic tenets of the Lean philosophy that enables manufacturers to eliminate waste and make processes more efficient. Finally, you will be able to apply the tools that you just gained to improve a process of your own.

PART III: PLANNING
Have you ever wondered how companies know how much to produce in advance so that they do not make too much or too little? Matching supply and demand requires planning. This part introduces you to the exciting area of supply chain planning. Part of a broader specialization on Supply Chain Management, you will master different forecasting techniques, essential for building a Sales and Operations Plan. You will have the tools and techniques to analyze demand data, construct different forecasting techniques, and choose the most suitable one for projecting future demand.

PART IV: SOURCING
Have you ever wondered how companies manage relationships with their thousands of suppliers? Sourcing is an important part of managing a successful supply chain. This part introduces you to the exciting area of supply chain sourcing. You will master the supplier selection process and supplier segmentation. You will have the tools and techniques to find the right vendors and maintain the right relationship with any one of your existing suppliers.