BUSN 215 - Principles of Supply Chain Management

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
This course introduces students to the supply chain and its impact on supply sources, purchasing, distribution, production planning, information systems, customer service, and inventory and warehouse management. Emphasis will be placed on the supply chain manager’s role in developing supply chain relationships, streamlining activities to improve product distribution, and integrating information regarding the logistical flow of materials across the supply chain.

Prerequisite Eligibility for enrollment in ENGL 101 based on placement test scores; or “C” or better in English developmental/preparatory courses. Eligibility for enrollment in MATH 101 based on placement test scores; or “C” or better in BUSN 121 or MATH 100.

A. Define the basic functional areas of supply management: purchasing, sales and operations planning, inventory control, and logistics. 

B. Apply management theories and approaches to the functional areas of supply management. 

C. Describe the role of supply management and its strategic impact on an organization’s competitive advantage. 

D. Identify major challenges to effective supply chain management, including variability, organizational obstacles, and cross-functional coordination. 

E. Examine the benefits to ethical and sustainable sourcing. 

Content
A. Supply chain management’s role within the organization 

B. Purchasing strategies 

C. Supplier relations 

D. Sales and operations planning 

E. Production and inventory control 

F. Cost reduction strategies 

G. Cross-functional coordination 

H. Quality control programs 

I. Ethical issues concerning supply chain management 

J. Sustainable sourcing considerations 

Student Evaluation
The student’s final grade will be based on a combination of assignments, tests, case studies, and classroom participation.