Leadership and Change Management in Purchasing and Supply
This module is designed to enable students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges that can impact on the role of the leader’s/manager’s and the nature of change in the work environment in order to enable students to understand ‘change’ and effective leadership methods within organisations. Students will be exposed to a number approaches to managing change and the key themes that permeate the change management process.The module covers the following areas: The role of leadership within organisations and in particular within procurement functions. The challenges faced by changing organisational goals and objectives, whether internally driven or as a result of changes in the turbulent external environment. The link between leadership and organisational objectives. The essential nature of understanding of learning and development opportunities and an appreciation for knowledge requirements and the benefits of review and reflection within procurement functions.
Strategic Procurement Management
Students will be introduced to the strategic relationships and internal and external factors influencing procurement management. Students will identify and evaluate the benefits of a strategically managed purchasing function to a business or public sector organisation. The nature of research methodology will also be covered identifying the theoretical and practical examples of strategic procurement management. Students will analyse how to define strategic management and the role that purchasing can play in achieving objectives.The module covers the following areas:The module will cover the following areas: The nature of strategic planning and its relationship to operational policies; organizational objectives and their impact upon resource acquisition and deployment; internal and external factors governing organizational objectives and influence on the procurement management; compatibility of objectives; strategic choices, the direction and pace of change; evaluating strategic risks and methods of minimisation in procurement; methods of controlling strategic change in procurement; process of planning and managing organizational strategy; time horizons for long term planning, the effect of technological innovation and the emergence of new competition.
Financial Management for Purchasers
This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of strategic aspects of finance in relation to the decision-making process and detailed analysis necessary to deliver effective procurement. In addition students will develop an understanding of financial issues in an effective and efficient manner, so that they can identify the professional purchaser’s needs and interpret the key financial models and tools required to deliver robust and sustainable procurement solutions.The module covers the following areas:Assessing different financial management tools; evaluating the financial and non-financial factors in decision-making; assessing and evaluating the various sources of finance available for business and major capital acquisitions and projects; developing and managing budget and cost management control; delivering effective capital purchasing plans; managing financial risk in procurement; the impact of different cost types on decision making; internal vs external pricing; setting and monitoring budgets.
Sustainable Procurement
This module is designed for supply chain and procurement practitioners involved in the development and application of sustainability in their organisations. As the impact of the concept of sustainable procurement is a predominant factor in governmental strategies it is important for the supply chain practitioner to be able to consider the evidence and possibilities of adding value and advantage in their process. This module will enable supply chain and procurement professionals to understand that whatever direction and regulations imposed in the name of global warming, sustainability is a complex issue.The module covers the following areas:The key principles of sustainable policies and their translation into supply chain and procurement practice; core concepts of sustainability; financial sustainability and the preservation of native culture; waste management as part of the life cycle plan; the meaning of bio-diversity; stripping and consumption of natural resources; successful sustainable supply chain business models.
Legal and Contractual Arrangements in Purchasing and Supply
his module is designed to provide a consideration of contract law as it applies to the supply chain function. Areas covered also include unfair contracts, TUPE regulations, EU public sector regulations, competition, enterprise and rights of third parties. It is intended that contract formation and the relationship of the parties involved in the contract will be enhanced significantly by this module. This module is designed to assist professionals who work in either public or private sector.The module covers the following areas: The module will cover the following: Sale of Goods and Services Act; Unfair Contracts Terms Act; TUPE Regulations; Rights of Third Parties Act; EU Pubic Sector Procurement Regulations; Freedom of Information Act; Competition Act; Enterprise Act; the principles of common law and their impact on the purchasing environment; the importance of the marketing management matrix; awareness of aspects of contract management, review, monitoring and approval.
Logistics Project
This module is designed to make students aware of the business influences that companies must take into account in the design and operation of their logistics systems. There are many issues to consider in the supply chain and it is important that organisations ensure that they operated successfully and efficiently.The module covers the following areas: Connections between logistics, supply chain and a competitive strategy. Measuring logistics costs and performance and matching supply and demand. Information technology use in the supply chain and the issues surrounding supply chain integration. Demand Management, Order Management, and Customer Service. Managing risk in the supply chain.
Research Skills and Dissertation Planning
This module provides a grounding in project planning, literature review and the principles of research methodology as a preparation for undertaking the major project as a culmination of the programme. The other areas covered are effective operational techniques, research methodology, methods of formulating a bibliography and defining the nature of the project, selecting an appropriate topic for the dissertation, methods of identifying and recording primary and secondary sources of information, strengths and weaknesses of different types of research methodology, methods of referencing information gathered from published work; compiling a bibliography, effective presentation techniques including a logical connection between objectives, methods, evidence and conclusions.
Dissertation
Managers should be capable of investigating the nature of optimal solutions to a major supply chain related business problem (or set of related problems) in one company or a number of companies operating with similar technologies or in similar markets. Such an investigation encompasses knowledge acquired from the subject matter of the taught modules of the programme and employs methods of research of both a primary and a secondary nature.The preparation and presentation of a dissertation of approximately 15,000 words directed towards the identification of a significant business problem of a company or industry and recommendations for policy making and action based upon a thorough examination of evidence and information relevant to the problem. The dissertation will contain an examination of the published literature and methodology appropriate to the problem investigated.
GSM London
