Sourcing Excellence from Coursera

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 and manage the supply chain, you need to understand all the flows. If you do not consider all of the flows, you will miss opportunities or sub-optimize parts of the supply chain.

The second of five courses in this specialization will focus on Sourcing Excellence. You will learn how the inbound flow of products, information, and finances into the company facilitates the supply chain. It will consist of four modules, which will cover the following topics: core sourcing elements; inbound information flow; supply chain financing; and finally the capstone case study.

You will have lectures, readings, and discussions with your peers for each topic, as well as a practice quiz in each lesson. At the end of each module, you can put your knowledge to the test and take a graded quiz. The Capstone Analysis module contains a real-life case analysis, as well as a supply chain management project that will enable you to be an expert on a company of your choosing.

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Syllabus

Module 1: Core Sourcing Elements

Sourcing manages the flow of raw materials that are required for the company to build its products. The main goals are to understand the main decision points of products entering the firm, as well as procurement decisions. The module is made up of three lessons: 1. Raw Material Inventories, 2. Quality, 3. Procurement Excellence. This is the second course in the Supply Chain Excellence Specialization.

Module 2: Sourcing Information Systems and Forecasting

This module will introduce you to procure-to-pay systems, which are one of the most popular types of systems companies are currently implementing. The other part of the module features some hands-on work. We will go over forecasting algorithms. If you had experience with forecasting or have successfully completed the Supply Chain Planning course, this will be a repetition and you can just skip to the quiz. Otherwise, it will be a nice introduction to forecasting.

Module 3: Supply Chain Financing

In this module, we will cover financial flows with suppliers. This includes how companies are trying to preserve their capital by extending payment terms, a tool called supply chain finance that can help provide liquidity in supply chains, and an overview of payment practices.

Module 4: Sourcing Excellence Capstone

Now that we have reached the end of this course, it is time to put all of your new knowledge to the test. Not only will you be able to take a second attempt at your SCM project by improving your original submission and adding a new section on information flow. Finally, you will perform a quantitative analysis of a real-life business case and suggest improvements.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a strong framework for understanding the inbound flow of products, information, and finances in supply chains

Taught by Rudolf Leuschner, Ph.D., a recognized expert in supply chain management

Focuses on practical skills and knowledge, including sourcing strategies, forecasting techniques, and supply chain financing

Suitable for individuals looking to develop or enhance their skills in supply chain management

Part of a larger specialization in Supply Chain Excellence, providing a comprehensive foundation in the field

Requires a basic understanding of supply chain management concepts to fully benefit from the course

Career center

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

Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Managers are responsible for the procurement of goods and services for their organizations. They work closely with suppliers to ensure that the organization gets the best possible price and quality for the goods and services it needs. This course can help individuals in this role by providing them with a deep understanding of the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers oversee the process of acquiring goods and services for their organizations. They negotiate contracts with suppliers, manage relationships with vendors, and ensure that the organization gets the best possible value for its money. This course can help individuals in this role by providing them with a deep understanding of the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Sourcing Specialist

Sourcing Specialists are responsible for identifying and qualifying suppliers for their organizations. They work with suppliers to negotiate contracts and manage supplier relationships. This course can help individuals in this role by providing them with a deep understanding of the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Supplier Quality Engineer

Supplier Quality Engineers are responsible for ensuring that the quality of goods and services procured by their organizations meets the organization's standards. They work with suppliers to identify and resolve quality issues. This course can help individuals in this role by providing them with a deep understanding of the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Supply Chain Analyst

Supply Chain Analysts analyze and improve the efficiency of supply chains. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to identify and resolve bottlenecks and inefficiencies. This course can help individuals in this role by providing them with a deep understanding of the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships. Additionally, the course will provide them with an understanding of supply chain financing, which can be used to improve the efficiency of the supply chain.

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Materials Manager

Materials Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of the procurement of materials for their organizations. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to ensure that the organization gets the best possible price and quality for the materials it needs. This course can help individuals in this role by providing them with a deep understanding of the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Supply Chain Consultant

Supply Chain Consultants help organizations improve the efficiency of their supply chains. They work with organizations to identify and resolve bottlenecks and inefficiencies. This course can help individuals in this role by providing them with a deep understanding of the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships. Additionally, the course will provide them with an understanding of supply chain financing, which can be used to improve the efficiency of the supply chain.

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Procurement Analyst

Procurement Analysts are responsible for analyzing and improving the efficiency of the procurement process. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to identify and resolve bottlenecks and inefficiencies. This course can help individuals in this role by providing them with a deep understanding of the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships. Additionally, the course will provide them with an understanding of supply chain financing, which can be used to improve the efficiency of the procurement process.

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Inventory Manager

Inventory Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of the storage and distribution of goods. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to ensure that goods are stored and distributed efficiently and cost-effectively. This course can help individuals in this role understand the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of the movement of goods and services. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to ensure that goods are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost. This course can help individuals in this role understand the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Transportation Manager

Transportation Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of the movement of goods and services. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to ensure that goods are delivered to the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost. This course can help individuals in this role understand the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of the storage and distribution of goods. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to ensure that goods are stored and distributed efficiently and cost-effectively. This course can help individuals in this role understand the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors to ensure that goods and services are produced and delivered to customers efficiently and cost-effectively. This course can help individuals in this role understand the sourcing process, including how to identify and qualify suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze the business operations of an organization and make recommendations on how to improve efficiency and profitability. This course may be useful for individuals in this role by providing them with an understanding of the sourcing process, which is a critical part of any business operation.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts analyze the financial performance of companies and make recommendations on investment decisions. This course may be useful for individuals in this role by providing them with an understanding of supply chain financing, which is a specialized area of finance that deals with the financial flows between companies in a supply chain.

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Sourcing Excellence

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