Procurement and Logistics

This subject will cover both the basic concepts of the procurement, logistics and distribution functions, as well as the challenges faced within each area. With respect to the procurement area, specific topics will include: make-or-buy decision (outsourcing); supplier selection processes and criteria; supplier relationships; supplier performance evaluation; strategic cost management; product design and sourcing strategy; e-sourcing (auctions vs. relationships); negotiation; global sourcing and compliance issues. For the logistics/distribution area, topics will include: transportation management; warehousing; materials handling; third-party logistics; forecasting and collaborative planning, global logistics; and, reverse logistics. A strong focus of this subject will be on ways through which organisations can integrate these functions internally and coordinate them externally so that performance improvements for these organisations and their supply chain partners can be realised.