Course unit details:
Supply Chain Management: Logistics and Purchasing

Course unit fact file
Unit code BMAN32151
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Faculty of Humanities
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Welcome to Supply Chain Management! This course is designed to teach students about the latest supply chain management practices used by leading firms around the world. The course aims to train students in the different management practices used across the entire supply chain from logistics strategy and transportation planning to supplier relationship management and supply chain risk management. Consequently, the first half of the course will focus on logistics management including topics on logistics strategy, logistics networks, warehouse management, transportation planning, and global logistics. Next, the second half of the course will be dedicated to purchasing management and will comprise of topics focused on the make-or-buy decision, supplier selection, supplier relationship management, supplier development, supplier involvement in NPD, the lean production system, , and Value Stream Mapping (VSM). In particular, this course focuses on the practical skills that logistics managers and purchasing professionals use to improve their supply chains.

Pre/co-requisites

Only available to students on: Mgt/Mgt Specialism, IMABS, IM and ITMB/ITMB Specialism.

Aims

This course seeks to provide students with a detailed understanding of how logistics and purchasing management practices can be used to improve organisational performance. In particular, the course will use a global perspective to help identify how firms use supply chain management practices to develop a competitive advantage in different industries and countries. On completion of the course, students will have developed an in-depth understanding of the strategies, tactics, and operational practices that supply chain managers use to compete in a competitive market. Finally, this course will provide students with some of the professional skills needed to manage complex supply chains and resolve operational problems that frequently occur within logistics and purchasing departments.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to:
•    Explain how different logistics strategies and practices can be used to compete in a competitive market. 
•    Describe the importance of different types of logistics networks for the smooth flow of products and services.
•    Identify how a range of warehouse management practices and technologies can be used to improve warehouse performance.
•    Critically evaluate different types of transportation modes and recent changes in the global logistics industry. 
•    Explain how purchasing managers use strategic sourcing and the make-or-buy decision to improve organisational performance. 
•    Describe how different supplier selection practices can be used to select the most competitive supplier. 
•    Explain how purchasing managers build and maintain collaborative supplier relationships.
•    Critically evaluate the strategic importance of supplier development, supplier involvement in NPD, and supply chain risk management.
•    Develop a detailed understanding of lean supply chain management and the lean production system.
•    Be able to use Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to detect problems within a supply chain and identify practical solutions. 

Teaching and learning methods

Methods of delivery: Lectures, case studies, in-class discussions, videos, and problem solving exercises.

Total study hours: 200 hours split between lectures and seminars.
 

Assessment methods

  • Individual report: individual written report on Logistics Management (50%)
  • Written Examination: exam focusing on Purchasing Management (50%)

Feedback methods

•    In-class feedback: Advice during lectures and in-class discussions related to student questions and queries.
•    Group project: Students will receive detailed written feedback on their group project that focuses on logistics management.
•    Email feedback: Responses to student emails and questions from the course coordinator, including feedback provided via Canvas.
 

Recommended reading


•    Rushton, A., Croucher, P. and Baker, P. (2014). The Handbook of Logistics and Distribution Management: Understanding the Supply Chain. Kogan Page, London.
•    Cousins, P., Lamming, R., Lawson, B. and Squire, B. (2008). Strategic Supply Management: Principles, Theories and Practice. Pearson, London.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 32
Seminars 4
Independent study hours
Independent study 164

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Raymond Obayi Unit coordinator
Antony Potter Unit coordinator

Additional notes

The course is open to all undergraduate students at Alliance Manchester Business School (including exchange students). 

 

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £35,300 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

You will receive a significant tuition fee discount for the placement year. UK students with a household income of up to £35,000 are also eligible to receive a  cash bursary  worth up to £2,000.

Additional expenses

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

We know that student finance can be complicated. The links below provide further information to help guide you.

Learn more about student finance options for UK students.

Learn more about fees and finance for international students.

As an international student you may be eligible for our Global Futures Scholarships . This is open to students starting their studies in September 2027.

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