SCM 7350

Strategic Supply Management

Course Purpose

This course covers modern strategies for managing Global Supply Strategies including management of digitized purchasing organizations and ethics. The course presents key issues, opportunities, strategies, techniques, and developments in purchasing and supply management currently being deployed by leading organizations to achieve competitive advantage.

The course has been developed with collaborative partnerships with Bauer’s recruiting companies to maximize the industry value our graduates deliver exemplary performance on their first days on the job within the “buy/source” function.

Photo for SCM 7350 Strategic Supply Management

Expected Learning Objectives

Supply management’s role is discussed along with supply management’s objectives. The involvement of supply management in selecting suppliers and developing long-term relationships with suppliers will be emphasized. Negotiation principles as well as contracts and pricing practices will be presented.

Upon finishing the course, students are expected to understand:

  • Key issues, opportunities, strategies, techniques, and developments in purchasing and supply management currently being deployed in leading organizations to achieve competitive advantage.
  • Criteria and techniques for selecting suppliers, knowing how to assess and evaluate suppliers.
  • Pricing and costs of products and services purchased by a firm, and total cost of ownership associated with these products and services.
  • Issues involved in the make-or-buy decision and global sourcing.
  • Develop oral and written communication skills in the context of supply management.
  • Selection of Topics Covered:
    • o Introduction to the profession of supply management
    • Purchasing policies and organization structure
    • Supply management and commodity strategy
    • Supplier evaluation and selection
    • Supplier management and development
    • Global sourcing strategies
    • Cost management
    • Negotiation
    • Contract management
    • Purchasing law and ethics

Course Pedagogy and Immersive/Experiential Activities

A case sponsored by a global Supply Chain Management company, using real-world data, will be analyzed by small teams of students. Top teams are invited to present their analyses at the corporate headquarters in front of corporate executives. Often, these performance-based networking opportunities result in internship, co-op, and full-time job opportunities.

Throughout the semester, several in-class activities and role-plays will be experienced. Activities simulate activities of a supply management project team and board of directors.

Students are provided with course notes, textbook resources, lectures, and relevant/current case studies and supplemental readings.

Grades are typically determined by a series of quizzes and in-class activities designed to progressively develop student skills, a large case competition, and three exams.