Supply Chain Management

Course content

After taking this course, the students will be able to

• describe and explain the dynamics of industrial supply chains, 
• develop and apply mathematical models for typical planning problems, and
• identify and apply suitable approaches to improve supply chain profitability.

The course explores the key issues associated with the management of industrial supply chains. The scope of supply chain management goes beyond the activities of an individual firm and considers the flows of material, information and money from suppliers to final customers. Throughout the course, typical issues regarding the efficient interaction of these players are discussed and approaches to maximize total supply chain profitability are developed. The lecture is supported by classroom discussions, video tutorials, and case studies.

1. Strategic Framework for Supply Chain Analysis

• What are the goals of supply chain management?
• How can supply chain processes be modeled?

2. Operative Supply Chain Management

• How does the bullwhip effect influence the dynamics of a supply chain?
• How can optimal product availability and required inventory levels be determined?
• Which measures can help to reduce variability?

3. Supply Chain Network Design

• Which design options for distribution networks exist?
• How can a suitable network design be derived using quantitative planning models?