What is Supply Chain Management?

Almost every organisation will be part of a supply chain and they will vary in size from major multi-national organisations to small SMEs with just a few employees.

Within the Supply Chain Management (SCM) philosophy businesses manage their source materials, information and finances throughout the entirety of the supply chain. Once a particular supply chain is established the various businesses involved in the chain share information with one another in order to synchronise their assets, co-ordinate their production techniques, and ensure the continued synchronisation of supply and demand through the chain. Traditionally SCM has dealt with the maintenance of the flow of products but, with the emergence of the internet, increasing importance is placed on the flow of information through the chain as well.

SCM is a dynamic function that has seen many changes in working practices over the last 20 years. Larger organisations may be the drivers of this change but it is equally important that they, the organisations they supply and the organisations that supply them have employees with the skills and qualifications to maintain their position in the marketplace.

The Supply Chain Management NVQ standards cover the whole range of supply chain activities and reflect a wide range of supply chain jobs including:

• project management
• procurement
• contract management
• inventory management
• warehousing
• distribution and transport
• international trade

The Benefits

Employers

Introducing NVQs can impact positively on your organisation through:

• improved staff performance and motivation
• improvements in quality of service
• the opportunity to establish partnerships rather than supplier-customer relationships
• improvements in performance, more efficient use of resources, reduced costs
• more effective staff development and increased staff morale

Candidates

By gaining an NVQ individuals are likely to benefit from:

• a clearer understanding of their responsibilities within their organisation
• the opportunity to develop new skills
• the recognition of existing skills
• clear description of the work standards they need to meet
• heightened awareness of their job role and responsibilities
• sense of achievement of a job well done
• greater confidence to do their job well

Who are these NVQs for?

At Levels 2 and 3 candidates are expected to be in an operational role in the workplace.

Level 2 is aimed at operators, clerical and administrative staff and assistants.

The Level 3 qualification is designed for those in roles such as clerical/administrative officers, junior managers, supervisors and technicians.

Qualification Components

Supply Chain Management NVQ at Level 2

To gain the full NVQ candidates must successfully complete two mandatory units and three units from the list of optional units.

Mandatory Units

• Contribute to operational relationships within the supply chain
• Obtain information on the supply chain

Optional Units

• Identify potential suppliers for the supply chain
• Place orders with suppliers
• Monitor and progress the deliver of orders
• Monitor the flow of supplies in the supply chain
• Obtain information on storage locations and facilities
• Obtain information on distribution requirements
• Monitor the distribution of supplies
• Monitor the flow of returned supplies
• Monitor the transportation of supplies

Supply Chain Management NVQ at Level 3

The full NVQ comprises three mandatory units and six optional units.

Mandatory Units

• Maintain operational relationships within the supply chain
• Analyse information on the supply chain
• Apply improvements to the supply chain

Optional Units

• Monitor the achievement of project tasks
• Control supplies of storage locations and facilities
• Complete export procedures and requirements
• Complete import procedures and requirements
• Administer contracts
• Analyse information on the procurement of supplies in the supply chain
• Verify the capability of suppliers to meet supply specifications
• Analyse the performance of suppliers
• Identify potential suppliers for the supply chain
• Place orders with suppliers
• Monitor and progress the delivery of orders
• Monitor the flow of supplies in the supply chain
• Obtain information on storage locations and facilities
• Obtain information on distribution requirement
• Monitor the distribution of supplies
• Monitor the flow of returned supplies
• Monitor the transportation of supplies

Please feel free to contact our marketing department for further information.