Sourcing Analytics from Coursera

It is easy to spend money, but hard to get the value.

From 2007 to 2010, Apple made $27 billion from iPhone with a profit of $15.6 billion. Apple could not achieve this success without its global sourcing strategy. However, one of Apple’s key suppliers, Samsung Electronics, became a competitor and used its cost advantage to over-take Apple in the global market. Meanwhile, many new suppliers and products are emerging constantly. To continue the success, Apple must explore the global markets to identify and select new suppliers that are capable, inexpensive and financially robust. The question is, how to do it right for this year?

What Apple experienced is typical in practice, as a company may have thousands of suppliers, and numerous new suppliers and products / services emerge constantly and globally, which requires a frequent adjustment of the supply base.

In this course, you will learn sourcing analytics which applies data analytics and business intelligence to supplier development and management. Specifically, you will learn market intelligence, bargain power analysis, and supplier analysis, to identify and select suppliers with the objective of getting more value with less spend.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome!

Welcome to sourcing analytics! Through the story of Apple's iPhone, you will learn some sourcing pain points, sourcing metrics and analytics framework, and the best practice of a sophisticated buyer.

Sourcing Criteria and Market Intelligence

In the second week, you will learn how to set the supplier selection criteria (to match the company’s needs). To identify potential suppliers, you will learn market intelligence to assess the trend, stability and competition intensity of the global markets.

Bargain Power and Supplier Analysis

In the third week, you will learn bargain power analysis to assess your and your suppliers’ leverages and bargain power. You will also learn supplier analysis to analyze individual suppliers’ capability, pricing, financial robustness and efficiency.

Supplier Score Sheets and Mini-project

This is the last week of Sourcing Analytics, you will wrap up all the analysis learned so far into supplier score sheets so as to select the best suppliers. You will perform a mini-project on sourcing intelligence.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops sourcing analytics by applying data analytics and business intelligence to supplier development and management, which are core skills for supply chain management

Taught by Yao Zhao, who are recognized for their work in data analytics and supply chain management

Examines sourcing analytics, which is highly relevant to supply chain management and procurement

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in sourcing analytics basics and concepts

May require learners to come in with some background knowledge in data analytics or business intelligence

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sourcing Analytics with these activities:

Principles of Supply Chain Management: A Balanced Approach

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Read and analyze a book that provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of supply chain management.

View Principles of Supply Chain Management: A... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and theories.
Identify areas where the book's content aligns with the topics covered in the course.
Summarize the main arguments and perspectives presented in the book.
Compare and contrast the book's content with your own understanding and experiences in supply chain management.

Industry Guest Speaker on Global Sourcing Trends

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Attend a workshop led by an industry expert to gain insights into the latest trends and best practices in global sourcing.

Browse courses on Global Sourcing

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Register for the workshop and prepare questions.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions.
Take notes on key insights and industry trends shared by the speaker.
Connect with the speaker and other attendees to expand your network.

Review Supply Chain Management Basics

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Review the fundamentals of supply chain management to strengthen your understanding of key concepts covered in this course.

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Revisit definitions and concepts of supply chain management.
Review the different types of supply chains and their characteristics.
Examine the role of key players in supply chain management, such as suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.
Analyze the impact of supply chain disruptions on business operations.

Four other activities

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Supplier Negotiation Simulations

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Participate in role-playing exercises to hone your negotiation abilities in supplier management scenarios.

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Review common negotiation strategies and tactics.
Assume the role of a buyer or supplier in negotiation simulations.
Negotiate terms and conditions, including price, delivery time, and quality standards.
Practice active listening, effective communication, and persuasive techniques.
Reflect on the negotiation process and identify areas for improvement.

Supplier Selection Criteria Analysis

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Engage in exercises that simulate real-world supplier selection scenarios to enhance your decision-making skills.

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Identify key supplier selection criteria based on case study or business context.
Gather data on potential suppliers using online research, industry reports, or supplier databases.
Evaluate and compare suppliers against the established criteria using analytical techniques.
Develop recommendations for supplier selection based on analysis results.
Present findings and justifications for supplier selection to stakeholders.

Supplier Intelligence Database

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Gather and organize information on potential and existing suppliers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the supplier landscape.

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Identify relevant sources of supplier information, such as industry directories, online databases, and company websites.
Collect data on supplier capabilities, financial performance, customer reviews, and industry reputation.
Organize the collected information into a structured database or spreadsheet.
Analyze the data to identify trends, patterns, and potential opportunities.
Regularly update the database to maintain its accuracy and relevance.

Supplier Risk Assessment Plan

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Develop a comprehensive plan to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with suppliers, ensuring supply chain resilience.

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Identify potential risk factors associated with suppliers, such as financial stability, operational capabilities, and geopolitical issues.
Develop a risk assessment framework and methodology to evaluate the identified risks.
Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of current or potential suppliers using the established framework.
Prioritize risks based on their likelihood and impact, and develop mitigation strategies for each risk.
Create a supplier risk assessment report that summarizes the assessment findings, mitigation strategies, and recommendations for risk management.

Career center

Learners who complete Sourcing Analytics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sourcing Analyst

Sourcing Analysts use their knowledge of the procurement process and supplier market to help companies find the best suppliers for their needs. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to identify and select suppliers, assess their capabilities, and negotiate contracts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sourcing Analyst

Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers are responsible for the entire procurement process, from identifying and selecting suppliers to negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to develop and implement sourcing strategies, manage supplier performance, and mitigate risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Procurement Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for the entire supply chain, from planning and sourcing to production and delivery. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to develop and implement supply chain strategies, manage inventory, and optimize logistics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Managers are responsible for the procurement of goods and services. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to identify and select suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Purchasing Manager

Supplier Development Manager

Supplier Development Managers are responsible for developing and managing relationships with suppliers. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to identify and select suppliers, assess their capabilities, and negotiate contracts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supplier Development Manager

Contract Manager

Contract Managers are responsible for the negotiation and management of contracts. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to identify and select suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Contract Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use their knowledge of financial markets and accounting principles to help companies make investment decisions. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to analyze financial statements, assess risk, and develop investment strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Market Analyst

Market Analysts use their knowledge of market research and analysis to help companies understand the market landscape and make informed decisions. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to conduct market research, analyze data, and develop market strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use their knowledge of data analysis techniques and tools to help companies make informed decisions. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to collect, clean, and analyze data, and develop data-driven insights.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts use their knowledge of business processes and systems to help companies improve their operations. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to analyze business processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop and implement solutions.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to manage people, processes, and resources.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and completion of projects. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to manage projects, teams, and budgets.

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Consultant

Consultants use their knowledge and experience to help companies solve problems and improve their performance. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to analyze problems, develop solutions, and communicate effectively.

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Teacher

Teachers are responsible for educating students. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to develop lesson plans, manage classrooms, and assess student learning.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are people who start their own businesses. This course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including how to develop a business plan, raise capital, and market your products or services.

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Sourcing Analytics

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