Execute a strategic sourcing strategy Online Short Course

COURSE OBJECTIVE

This unit standard will enable learners to execute the strategic sourcing strategy. The role out of the strategy includes change management, monitoring and improvement of the performance.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:

• Establish supplier relationship.
• Establish contract.
• Communicate strategy and plan.
• Execute plan and contracts.
• Monitor and improve performance.

This unit standard will contribute to the development of the learner within the context of supply chain management. Learners who have achieved this unit standard will increase their opportunities for further development and employability within the supply chain management environment.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• Establish supplier relationship.
• Bidding or negotiation documents are developed to encompass the identified strategy options.
• Negotiation documents include but are not limited to templates, requirements, and supplier (pre) qualifications.
• Prospective suppliers are invited to offer proposals addressing the key performance areas and reporting processes.
• Approval is obtained and responsibilities are assigned in preparation for execution of the strategy.
• The sourcing process to be implemented is communicated to inform all relevant stakeholders.
• Communicated includes but is not limited to internal, external, bidding/negotiation process, bids evaluation, supplier selection, approval, negotiations planning/conducting based on sourcing strategy, contracts development and negotiation.
• Implementation is planned in terms of transition to new contract terms and supplier operations.
• The fit between the supplier and the specific commodity is determined in order to facilitate the process of establishing a supplier relationship.
• Establish contract.
• The contract is evaluated to check compliance with all legal requirements.
• Key terms and conditions are included in the agreement to serve as a measure of performance.
• Terms and conditions include but are not limited to general terms and conditions, special terms and conditions, service level agreements.
• A coordinated transition plan is developed with the supplier and the organization to implement the strategy.
• Transition plan includes but is not limited to optimised demand planning, unit standardisation, network design changes, optimised inventory management, purchase process changes, and transition to new vendor arrangements, identify and manage transition issues and risks.
• Risk assessment and management plans are developed in order to support the management of the contract.
• Communicate strategy and plan.
• Communication/engagement plan is developed to inform all stakeholders of strategy implementation process.
• Plan would include but is not limited to target audience, communication method, frequency.
• Communication channels are established in accordance with stakeholder requirements and organizational procedures.
• The roll-out of the strategy is communicated to relevant stakeholders in accordance with the communication plan.
• The effectiveness of the communication/engagement plan is monitored and evaluated in order to determine their impact on stakeholder involvement for strategy execution.
• Execute plan and contracts.
• The strategy is implemented and rolled out according to plan.
• Implementation includes but is not limited to the signing of contract, information, networks linked, communication networks, processes linked.
• The sourcing process is aligned with the organisation’s procurement policies and procedures.
• Strategy is aligned with available sourcing options.
• Sourcing options include but are not limited to quotations, competitive bidding, negotiations, public/private partnerships.
• Change management is implemented as dictated by the strategy.
• Change management includes but is not limited to organisational structure changes, technology changes, procurement process changes, people skills and attitude changes.
• Contract(s) are concluded and managed in accordance with the terms and conditions.
• Monitor and improve performance.
• A plan is developed to monitor performance according to the strategy.
• Cross-functional team members are identified in terms of their responsibility for monitoring performance.
• A joint performance measurement process is conducted to ensure stakeholder involvement in developing performance criteria.
• Joint performance measurement process includes but is not limited to aligning stakeholders around common measurements, measure performance against the contract conditions, identifying improvement opportunities, monitor and improve service level agreement (SLA).
• Means of measurement is formulated in order to collect performance information.
• Means of measurement includes but is not limited to who is responsible, what process is used to measure, sampling rate, frequency.
• Improvement opportunities are identified and implemented in order to meet organizational continuous improvement goals.
• Improvement opportunities include but are not limited to optimization of processes, organization, supply chain, commodity.
• A plan of action for improvements is formulated to make possible changes.
  

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COURSE DELIVERY

The course is delivered through the School of Shipping Learning website and allows you to study at your own pace (recommended duration 8 weeks). You may begin and register any time. A Subject Matter Expert and will provide you with academic support through the learning website and a Course Coordinator will also be available on email and telephone to provide you with administrative support.

ASSESSMENT AND AWARD OF THE CERTIFICATE

You are not required to write any exams as a formative and summative assessment is completed online. You will need to achieve a mark of at least 60% for each assessment to receive the certification. Should you not gain competency on your first attempt one more resubmission will be allowed at no additional cost.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The only entry requirement for this course is a desire to learn and advance your career.
In order to do this course, you will need:

• An email account
• Access to a computer and the internet
• Be able to open and read PDF documents
• Read and write in the English language