We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Supply Chain Excellence

Supply chain leaders manage products, information, and finances to create an efficient, effective supply chain. With this online certificate program, you’ll study at the graduate level to gain the knowledge you need to advance in your career.

You’ll gain a thorough understanding of the three distinct flows that create supply chain excellence in any company. Learn from lectures, readings, discussions and quizzes designed by faculty from the Department of Supply Chain Management at Rutgers University. You’ll also benefit from graded feedback from the instructor and live sessions with groups of high-caliber peers.

This course will provide you with an introduction and head-start to the Supply Chain Excellence MasterTrack.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Managing Product Flow

Supply Chains are made up of a network of companies from the initial raw materials to the ultimate consumer of the finished product. Within this network of companies, there are three ongoing flows: products, information, and finances. To properly understand the supply chain and manage it, you need to understand all of the flows. The first of five courses in this Specialization will focus on the flow of products, information, and finances in the Supply Chain. This module will cover not only the introduction of the course but also the overall product flow goals that supply chain executives are trying to accomplish when building a supply chain.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of supply chain management, from product flow and information flow to financial flow

Designed for individuals seeking to advance their careers in supply chain management

Taught by faculty from the Department of Supply Chain Management at Rutgers University, a reputable institution in the field

Involves graded feedback from the instructor, providing students with personalized guidance

Covers key topics such as blockchain technology and artificial intelligence in supply chain management

Students can expect a capstone project that allows them to apply their learnings and gain practical experience

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Practical insights for supply chain professionals

According to students, this course offers a strong foundation in supply chain management, with comprehensive coverage of product, information, and financial flows. Many find the content highly relevant for career advancement, highlighting valuable instructor insights and the practical utility of the capstone project. Recent feedback notes significant updates, including AI and machine learning applications. While largely positive, some suggest it's better suited for foundational knowledge over advanced expertise. A few desired more hands-on case studies or advanced problem-solving beyond its theoretical framework.

Course content is kept current, especially with new tech.

"The course has been updated! The new material on AI and ML in information flow is a significant improvement."

"Content on product flow and information systems, especially blockchain and AI, was highly relevant to my work."

"I really appreciate the effort to keep the material current and relevant."

Instructors provide valuable insights and constructive feedback.

"The instructor's insights were invaluable..."

"The graded feedback on assignments was very constructive."

"I appreciated the personalized feedback from the instructor."

Enables practical application and integration of learned concepts.

"The capstone project was a great way to apply what I learned."

"Highly practical! The capstone project is the highlight."

"I learned to integrate all three flows and developed a robust understanding through the project."

Thoroughly explores product, information, and financial flows.

"The focus on the three flows (product, information, finance) is comprehensive."

"It really helped me see the bigger picture of how product, information, and finances interconnect."

"The depth of coverage for a foundational course is impressive."

Content can be theoretical, some readings dry.

"Some parts felt a bit theoretical..."

"I found it a bit dry and the readings were too academic."

"While concepts were well-explained, I found some aspects quite abstract."

Learners desired more hands-on activities and real-world scenarios.

"I wish there were more hands-on case studies though."

"I felt some areas, especially around real-world challenges or specific industry applications, could have been expanded upon."

"I wished for more practical application instead of just theoretical information."

More beneficial for those new to SCM or seeking fundamentals.

"Decent course, but perhaps more for beginners."

"As someone with prior SCM experience, I found some modules to be a bit basic."

"I was looking for more advanced problem-solving exercises, but it's great for fundamentals."

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 Supply Chain Excellence with these activities:

Review supply chain management principles

Show steps

Refresh your knowledge of supply chain management concepts to strengthen your foundation for this course.

Show steps

Review notes or textbooks from previous supply chain management courses.
Attend an online refresher course or webinar on supply chain management.
Read articles or watch videos about the latest trends and developments in supply chain management.

Read 'Supply Chain Management: A Logistics Perspective' by Martin Christopher

Show steps

Gain a comprehensive understanding of supply chain management concepts and their application in the logistics industry.

View Leading Procurement Strategy on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book thoroughly.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Discuss the book's key ideas with a classmate or colleague.

Practice supply chain simulation exercises

Show steps

Develop practical skills in analyzing and managing supply chains through simulation exercises.

Show steps

Find online or offline supply chain simulation software or platforms.
Set up and run different supply chain scenarios.
Analyze the results and identify areas for improvement.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Join a study group or participate in online discussions

Show steps

Engage with peers to share knowledge, discuss concepts, and enhance your understanding.

Show steps

Join or form a study group with other students taking this course.
Participate actively in online discussion forums and ask questions.
Collaborate on projects or assignments with peers.

Develop a supply chain improvement plan

Show steps

Apply the knowledge gained in this course to develop a practical plan for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of a supply chain.

Browse courses on Supply Chain Optimization

Show steps

Identify a specific supply chain or industry to focus on.
Research and analyze the current supply chain processes.
Develop a detailed improvement plan with specific recommendations.
Present the plan to classmates or industry professionals for feedback.

Contribute to open-source supply chain projects

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience in the latest supply chain technologies and contribute to the community.

Show steps

Identify open-source supply chain projects on platforms like GitHub.
Contribute to code development, documentation, or testing.
Engage with other contributors and learn from their expertise.

Career center

Learners who complete Supply Chain Excellence will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Supply Chain Analyst

Supply Chain Analysts develop, implement, and manage supply chain strategies to optimize the flow of products, information, and finances within an organization. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of supply chain management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers plan, implement, and coordinate the movement of goods and services from suppliers to customers. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of logistics management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Manager

Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers are responsible for sourcing and purchasing goods and services for an organization. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of procurement management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Procurement Manager

Inventory Manager

Inventory Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the flow of inventory within an organization. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of inventory management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inventory Manager

Transportation Manager

Transportation Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the movement of goods and people. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of transportation management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Manager

Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the movement of goods within a warehouse. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of warehouse management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Warehouse Manager

Supply Chain Consultant

Supply Chain Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their supply chain operations. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of supply chain consulting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Consultant

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and marketing products. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of product management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the operations of an organization. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of operations management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling projects. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of project management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and develop solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of business analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts analyze financial data and make recommendations on investments. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of financial analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for planning, developing, and executing marketing campaigns. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of marketing management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the sales activities of an organization. This course can help build a foundation in supply chain management principles, providing the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this role. The course covers topics such as managing product flow, information flow, and financial flow, which are essential for understanding the complexities of sales management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Supply Chain Excellence.

Supply Chain Management

Save

Provides a detailed overview of the SCOR model, which framework for assessing and improving supply chain performance. It valuable resource for professionals who want to improve their supply chain operations.

Supply Chain Excellence

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical insights for supply chain professionals

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses