Supply Chain Manager - Apprenticeship

Year 1

Frameworks for Supply Chain Management  

This module introduces a wide range of frameworks to inform systematic thinking on the alignment, design, implementation and operation supply chains to promote their agility, adaptability and growth. Students engage in peer to peer discussion to develop insight and understanding of supply chain practices across own and other industries, to identify various frameworks used in supply chain operations, and to recognise supply chain management practices that influence the future success or failure of organisations 

Strategic Business & Operations Management 

This module provides an overview of the strategy process and of operations management from concept to deployment. It will support the understanding of corporate strategy and strategy development, explain how strategy is developed, considering influencers such as environment, resources, capabilities, and stakeholder needs. Support the development of a plan to operationalise strategic concepts using contemporary tools and techniques as well as understand how strategy can act as a programme of change within an organisation. 

Mathematical Modelling in Supply Chain  

This module provides students with knowledge on mathematical models applicable to supply chains as well as modeling and software capabilities to apply mathematical models to supply chains.  

Marketing Technology Products  

The aim of this module is to understand and develop the key marketing concepts in business so that students can analyse and develop a marketing plan for a company including identifying and exploring the key components of market orientation, customer buyer behaviour, competitive advantage and marketing activities and practices. 

Simulation Modelling in Supply Chains  

This module provides students with knowledge on discrete event simulation modeling and its application to supply chains.  It also provides students with modelling and software capabilities to apply simulation to supply chain and to understand where they could be applied, what benefits it could provide and what are the challenges in its application. 

Apprenticeship Personal and Professional Development Portfolio 1 

This is a Community of Practice module where apprentices collaborate and foster knowledge and the improvement of their professional practice. Over the duration of the programme apprentices will engage in a community of practice, in-company mentoring, sector and industry masterclasses, summer school and the creation of a portfolio to investigate emerging trends and identify current and future challenges for their occupation and themselves as professionals.  

Year 2

Operations Management  

The purpose of this module will be to provide an integrated and comprehensive understanding of the merits, limitations and applicability of the diverse operations management approaches currently available for manufacturing and service enterprises. Lean concepts, Theory of Constraints (TOC), Statistical Process Control, Master Scheduling & Materials Requirements Planning will be reviewed.  

Quality Science Statistics 1 

This module introduces and applies both basic and advanced quality statistics, appropriate for master black belt level Six Sigma, in the context of Supply Chain Performance Management. Students will have the statistical skills necessary to visualise and interpret data for better decision making within their organisations. 

Sales and Operations Planning  

Integrated Business Planning techniques will be applied to students’ organisations in order to identify both the short term benefits of and effective S&OP implementation and the challenge of sustaining these improvements within the company for the long term. Where possible the challenge of S&OP deployment will be examined for both industry and service type organisations. 

Thesis Proposal Preparation  

The purpose of the module is:  

• Provide students with an understanding of the primary issues and decision stages involved in the completion of a research dissertation. 

• Support students to identify a specific research area based on their own organisations.  

• Provide the theory and its application of the various research philosophies, and research methods.  

• Develop a set of research skills including developing research question, sourcing information, analysis and interpretation skills. 

• Complete an ethics form.  

• Present the thesis proposal in keeping with the standards of academic writing and presentations. 

Thesis 1 (Supply Chain Operations) 

Following on from the Thesis proposal preparation module students will commence their thesis journey in constructing concise, original and well supported written material. They will be required to submit oral and written submissions to their academic supervisor as they embark on independent research and improve their research based on feedback received from their supervisor.  

Advanced Supply Chain Risk Assessment and Forecasting  

This module is designed to provide an overview of supply chain management and how it can contribute to improved business performance. With emphasis on the development of supply chain management philosophy and operational practice, it provides a thorough understanding of how risks within the supply chain need to be identified and planned for. The module specifically addresses the needs of front-line managers with current and future supply chain management responsibilities. 

Financial Management and Decision Making for SCM  

This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts and practices of management accounting and finance. It provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to identify the relevant financial information required to manage the financial and operating resources of a business. 

Thesis 2 (Supply Chain Operations) 

Students will continue on their thesis research with their academic supervisor to produce a significant piece of research based on their organisations. They will be required to present findings, insights, hypotheses reflecting a mastery of the concepts and techniques used to carry out the research, establish links between theory and methods within their field of study and write coherently and present findings in a professional manner to the required academic level  

Apprenticeship Personal and Professional Development Portfolio 2 

This is a Community of Practice module where apprentices collaborate and foster knowledge and the improvement of their professional practice. Over the duration of the programme apprentices will engage in a community of practice, in company mentoring, sector and industry masterclasses, summer school and the creation of a portfolio to investigate emerging trends and identify current and future challenges for their occupation and themselves as professionals.