Master of Science in Supply Chain Management [MSSCM]

U-1: Concept of Supply Chain Management

U-2: Supply Chain Dynamics

U-3: The Value Chain and Competitive Advantage

U-4: Essentials of Manufacturing & Operation

Introduction

This subject lays the foundation for the entire programme by explaining how supply chains create value from raw material to the end customer. Learners explore the concept and scope of supply chain management, the dynamics that shape supply and demand, the value chain as a source of competitive advantage, and the essentials of manufacturing and operations, building a clear, integrated view of how SCM supports organisational performance.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the core concepts, scope and objectives of supply chain management

2. Analyse supply chain dynamics such as the bullwhip effect and demand variability

3. Apply value chain analysis to identify sources of competitive advantage

4. Evaluate how manufacturing and operations decisions affect cost, service, and responsiveness across an integrated supply chain

U-5: Principles of forecasting

U-6: Basic forecasting methods

U-7: Customer segmentation

U-8: Master Scheduling

Introduction

Accurate demand planning is the starting point of every efficient supply chain. This subject introduces the principles of forecasting and the basic quantitative and qualitative methods used to predict demand. Learners also study customer segmentation and master scheduling, learning how forecasts are translated into realistic production and supply plans that balance customer service levels with inventory and operating costs.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Apply the principles of forecasting to real business situations

2. Select and use basic forecasting methods such as moving averages and exponential smoothing

3. Measure forecast accuracy

4. Segment customers to plan service levels

5. Develop a master schedule that converts demand forecasts into achievable supply plans aligned with capacity, inventory and organisational objectives

U-9: Introduction to Procurement Management

U-10: Requisition & PO management

U-11: Negotiation for Procurement

U-12: Contract Management

Introduction

Procurement determines a large share of organisational cost and has a direct effect on quality and continuity of supply. This subject covers the fundamentals of procurement management, the requisition and purchase order cycle, negotiation for procurement, and contract management. Learners gain practical, tool-based knowledge to run transparent, compliant and value-driven purchasing processes in both private and public sector organisations.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the role and objectives of procurement within the organisation

2. Manage the requisition and purchase order process using standard formats and controls

3. Plan and conduct procurement negotiations to achieve best value

4. Draft, administer, and monitor supplier contracts, ensuring compliance, risk control, and accountability throughout the procurement cycle

U-13: Introduction to Strategic Sourcing

U-14: Application of Strategic Sourcing for cost effective SCM

U-15: Procurement Portfolio Management

U-16: Spend Analysis and Category Management

Introduction

Strategic sourcing moves procurement beyond transactional buying towards long-term value creation. This subject introduces the strategic sourcing process and its application to cost-effective supply chain management. Learners examine procurement portfolio management, including the Kraljic matrix, and use spend analysis and category management to identify savings opportunities, reduce supply risk, and build stronger, more strategic supplier relationships.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the strategic sourcing process and how it differs from tactical purchasing

2. Apply strategic sourcing to reduce total cost of ownership

3. Classify purchases using procurement portfolio tools such as the Kraljic matrix

4. Conduct a spend analysis

5. Develop category strategies that deliver savings, manage supply risk and support the organisation's wider business objectives

U-17: The purpose of inventory in the value chain

U-18: Classification of inventory

U-19: Procedure for eliminating obsolete inventory

U-20: Record Management in Inventory

Introduction

Inventory ties up working capital, yet too little of it disrupts service. This subject examines the purpose of inventory within the value chain and how stock is classified by type and value. Learners study procedures for identifying and eliminating obsolete inventory, and the record management practices that keep stock data accurate, giving them the tools to balance availability, cost and control in any organisation.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the purpose and cost of holding inventory across the value chain

2. Classify inventory using methods such as ABC and XYZ analysis

3. Apply procedures to identify, control and dispose of slow-moving and obsolete stock

4. Design inventory record management practices, including cycle counting and reconciliation, that improve accuracy, visibility and control of stock

U-21: Introduction to Warehouse Management

U-22: Warehouse process

U-23: Warehouse layout & material handling

U-24: Warehouse Operations

Introduction

Warehouses are critical nodes that connect supply with demand. This subject introduces the role and types of warehouses and the end-to-end warehouse process from receiving to dispatch. Learners study warehouse layout design, material handling equipment and day-to-day warehouse operations, developing the practical knowledge needed to improve space utilisation, productivity, safety and order accuracy in modern storage and distribution facilities.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the role and types of warehouses within the supply chain

2. Map core warehouse processes including receiving, put-away, storage, picking, packing and dispatch

3. Evaluate warehouse layouts and select suitable material handling equipment

4. Manage warehouse operations using key performance indicators that improve productivity, space utilisation, safety and order accuracy

U-25: Introduction to Transportation Management

U-26: Operation_Management_in_Transpotation

U-27: Overview of Distribution Management

U-28: Global Logistics

Introduction

Transport and distribution move goods to customers at the right time and cost, and often form the largest share of logistics spend. This subject introduces transportation management and the planning of transport operations, followed by an overview of distribution management and network design. Learners also explore global logistics, including international shipping, Incoterms, customs and the coordination of cross-border flows.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the principles of transportation management and compare transport modes

2. Plan and control transport operations for cost and service efficiency

3. Evaluate distribution network and channel options

4. Manage the key elements of global logistics, including Incoterms, documentation, customs and freight forwarding, to move goods reliably across international supply chains

U-29: Information System Functionality

U-30: Introduction to Enterprise Resource Planning & Materials Requirement Planning

U-31: Overview of Procurement to Pay Structure

U-32: Logistics Customer Service

Introduction

Reliable information is what turns logistics activities into a coordinated system. This subject examines the functionality of logistics information systems and introduces Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Materials Requirement Planning (MRP). Learners review the procure-to-pay structure and learn how information supports logistics customer service, enabling faster decisions, better visibility and stronger integration across the supply chain.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the functions and benefits of logistics information systems

2. Describe how ERP and MRP support planning and integration across departments

3. Map the procure-to-pay process from requisition to supplier payment

4. Use information systems to measure and improve logistics customer service, order visibility and data-driven decision-making across the supply chain

U-33: Introduction to Supplier Performance Management

U-34: Supplier Performance Framework

U-35: Supplier Performance Evaluation & Analysis

U-36: Introduction to Supplier Development

Introduction

Supplier performance directly affects an organisation's quality, cost and delivery. This subject introduces supplier performance management and the frameworks used to set clear expectations with suppliers. Learners study methods for evaluating and analysing supplier performance through scorecards and KPIs, and are introduced to supplier development as a way to build capability, reduce risk and create long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the purpose and benefits of supplier performance management

2. Design a supplier performance framework with relevant KPIs

3. Evaluate and analyse supplier performance using scorecards, ratings and data

4. Plan supplier development initiatives that close performance gaps, strengthen supplier capability and support long-term collaboration and continuous improvement

U-37: Fundamentals of Risk Management

U-38: Introduction to Anti-Corruption

U-39: Overview of Fraud in Supply Chain Management

U-40: Risk Mitigation in SCM

Introduction

Global supply chains face growing risks, from disruption and supplier failure to corruption and fraud. This subject covers the fundamentals of risk management and introduces anti-corruption principles and controls. Learners examine the common types of fraud in supply chain management and how to detect them, then explore practical risk mitigation strategies that protect continuity, reputation and value across the supply chain.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Apply the risk management process to identify, assess and prioritise supply chain risks

2. Explain anti-corruption principles, policies and controls

3. Recognise common fraud schemes in procurement and logistics and the red flags that reveal them

4. Develop risk mitigation and business continuity plans that strengthen supply chain resilience, integrity and compliance

U-41 Introduction to Operations Management

U-42 Forecasting in Operations Management

U-43 Facility Layout

U-44 Job Design and Work Measurement

Introduction

Operations management is concerned with turning inputs into goods and services efficiently and effectively. This subject introduces the scope and strategic role of operations management, forecasting within operations, facility management, and job design and work measurement. Learners develop the practical knowledge needed to plan capacity, organise facilities and design productive work systems that support quality and cost goals.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the role of operations management in achieving organisational strategy

2. Apply forecasting techniques to operational planning and capacity decisions

3. Evaluate facility location, layout and maintenance options

4. Use job design and work measurement methods, such as time study and work sampling, to set standards and improve productivity and efficiency

U-45 Fundamentals of TQM

U-46 Methods of TQM

U-47 Quality Culture and Learning

U-48 Quality and Productivity

Introduction

Total Quality Management (TQM) places quality at the centre of every process and decision. This subject covers the fundamentals of TQM, its core principles and leading thinkers, and the practical methods and tools used to improve quality. Learners also examine how to build a quality culture and learning organisation, and how quality improvement drives productivity, customer satisfaction and sustained competitive advantage.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the principles and evolution of TQM

2. Apply quality tools and methods such as PDCA, the seven basic quality tools, Six Sigma and Kaizen

3. Assess and help build a quality culture that encourages learning and employee involvement

4. Analyse the link between quality and productivity to recommend improvements that raise performance and customer satisfaction

U-49 Science of Sustainability

U-50 Sustainable Warehousing

U-51 Sustainable Purchasing & Procurement

U-52 Sustainable Logistic & Supply Chain management Strategy

Introduction

Sustainability is now a core expectation of customers, investors and regulators. This subject introduces the science of sustainability and its environmental, social and economic dimensions. Learners explore sustainable warehousing, responsible purchasing and procurement, and how to build a sustainable logistics and supply chain strategy that reduces environmental impact while maintaining efficiency, compliance and long-term value.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the principles of sustainability and the triple bottom line in a supply chain context

2. Evaluate sustainable warehousing practices that reduce energy use and waste

3. Apply sustainable and ethical criteria in purchasing and procurement decisions

4. Develop a sustainable logistics and supply chain strategy with measurable environmental, social and economic targets

U-49 Science of Sustainability

U-50 Sustainable Warehousing

U-51 Sustainable Purchasing & Procurement

U-52 Sustainable Logistic & Supply Chain management Strategy

Introduction

Organisations deliver change, growth and improvement through projects. This subject introduces the concept of projects and project management, the management frameworks that govern them, and the project management process from initiation to closure. Learners also compare traditional and agile approaches to project management, gaining the knowledge to plan, execute, and control supply chain and business projects successfully.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Explain the characteristics of projects and the role of the project manager

2. Apply recognised project management frameworks and governance structures

3. Manage the project lifecycle from initiation, planning and execution through monitoring, control and closure

4. Select appropriate predictive, agile or hybrid approaches to deliver projects on time, within budget and to scope

U-57 People Management Matrix

U-58 Role, Responsibility & Competency of People Manager

U-59 People Monitoring & Supervision

U-60 People Performance Management

Introduction

Supply chain performance ultimately depends on people. This subject introduces the people management matrix and the role, responsibilities and competencies of an effective people manager. Learners study approaches to monitoring and supervising teams and the people performance management cycle, building the leadership and interpersonal skills needed to motivate staff, resolve issues and achieve results through others.

Learning Outcomes

On completion, learners will be able to:

1. Apply the people management matrix to understand and manage team members

2. Explain the role, responsibilities and core competencies of a people manager

3. Use effective monitoring and supervision techniques to guide and support staff

4. Manage the performance cycle, including goal setting, feedback, appraisal and development, to improve individual and team results

The Action Research Paper is the final Thesis of the MSSCM programme. Learners identify a real supply chain problem or improvement opportunity, ideally within their own organisation, and investigate it through structured research. Drawing on knowledge from all 15 subjects, they collect and analyse data, propose practical solutions and present their findings in a professional research paper that demonstrates applied, Master's-level expertise.