Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management is to provide learners with an erudite as well as a good grasp of the advanced issues in supply chain management. Learners need to understand the value chain within an organisation and enable the smooth flow of operations within the supply chain. The main purpose of this qualification is to offer learners the quality education and skills required to be an efficient and effective supply chain manager. The qualifying learners will have the appropriate knowledge and skill set to successfully bridge the gap between the lack of skilled professionals within the discipline and the demand for qualified experts.

Learners will be equipped with knowledge and skills on how to handle the activities in the supply chain environment and manage functional areas within the discipline such as warehousing, procurement, transportation, and operations management. Apart from the functional knowledge, the learner will also demonstrate an understanding of financial and managerial components in business management to develop their business prowess and bolster their employability across a number of industries. With alignment to qualifications from leading international institutes, learners will not only be educated in supply chain management but also gain an internationally relevant perspective of the discipline facilitating employment both locally and internationally.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate an understanding of the functions that a supply chain consists of and manage these functions effectively and efficiently.
• Integrate and streamline the different supply chain processes to achieve strategic objectives within an organisation.
• Select and implement appropriate sourcing and procurement techniques that are aligned with a business's strategy.
• Operate effectively within the warehouse environment and promote best practices concerning warehouse operations.
• Adhere to the necessary legal regulations that govern businesses and promote ethical behaviour within the workplace.

With the current skills needed and the limited qualifications in supply chain management, this qualification aims to produce learners who possess the following attributes:

• Analytical thinking.
• Ability to manage complex supply chain problems.
• Ability to effectively direct a team towards an objective.
• Effective communication skills.

This qualification will provide access to Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Supply Chain Management qualifications in a number of private and public institutions both nationally and internationally.

Rationale

The need for skilled supply chain professionals has become a crucial element for the survival of global communities due to shortages of goods as a result of global and economic changes that have occurred over the past five years. This has been a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which has placed immense pressure on supply chains globally.

The need for skilled supply chain professionals has been emphasised as an essential element in navigating the current volatile business environment as indicated by Forbes Council Member, Carlos Moncayo.

The skills shortage of supply chain professionals has been a long-standing area of concern according to the 2012 Supply Chain Skills Gap Survey, conducted by University of Johannesburg researchers Rose Luke and Gert Heyns, employers are experiencing difficulty in filling tactical and strategic level positions. "Employers have indicated that, although operational positions are relatively easy to fill (63% average over both years), around 65% indicated it was difficult to fill tactical level positions. Strategic level positions are becoming more challenging to fill with 63% indicating difficulties in 2011 and 66% in 2012," the duo explained." The lack of skills is apparent in that although, in terms of logistics performance, South Africa is currently ranked as number 23 in the world, the country's ability to perform more effectively is largely hampered by logistics competence," says Luke, citing findings from The World Bank, 2012 (Logistics Performance Index: Connecting to Compete 2012). This indicates a strong need for supply chain professionals of a tactical level and above.

According to business professionals at a leading logistics company in South Africa, Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn (DHL), there is a shortage of talent within the country. The organisation also mentioned that current professionals are also lacking the necessary training and knowledge to handle the tough supply chain environment that the county is experiencing. This has been indicated in the 2022 Government Gazette for scarce skills where skills related to supply chain professionals, such as Supply and Distribution Managers, have been identified as being in short supply.

The most prominent supply chain occupations that were in high demand in South Africa were logistics Managers and Demand Planners which are both positions that are available to learners after the completion of this qualification.

This qualification aims to resolve the highlighted scarce skills in Supply Chain Management within the country. Learners who have a passion for managing crucial business processes such as transportation, operations, procurement, and warehousing will be equipped with the necessary skills required to fulfil occupations within the below-mentioned fields after the completion of this qualification. Supply chain management-related positions are the most related occupations to this qualification but also develop the necessary skills to understand business processes and soft skills such as analytical thinking, time management and problem-solving. This opens to qualifying learners to explore a number of occupations beyond the discipline of supply chain management.

This qualification focuses on understanding the role of supply chain management within an organisation but also the nature of business and the techniques used by supply chain professionals to ensure that the discipline is a value-adding process. The qualification also aims to meet the needs of local and global supply chain professionals with content focusing on current trends such as supply chain resilience and practices used to manage risk. The qualification is also structured to develop learners into business professionals who understand organisational structures and mechanisms and equip them with the necessary leadership skills to prepare them for a variety of occupations, from general management to business analysis positions.

This qualification will respond directly to the rapidly evolving needs of the Supply Chain Management and logistics field in a technology-driven world. Organisations demand a new set of supply chain skills as they move from a traditional to a technology-driven business environment, qualifying learners can find employment as:

• Supply Chain Manager
• Procurement officer
• Warehouse manager
• Supply Chain officer
• Supply Chain Analyst

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's degree studies.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's degree studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, with endorsement.

Or

• Higher Certificate NQF Level 5, in a cognate field

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, 15 Credits.
• Business Communication, 15 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Business Management, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Supply Chain Management I, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Information Technology, 15 Credits.
• Business Statistics, 15 Credits.
• Business Management, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Supply Chain Management II, 15 Credits.

Compulsory modules, Level 6, 120 Credits

• Operations Management, 15 Credits.
• Business Law, 15 Credits.
• Economics I, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management I, 15 Credits.
• Digital Transformation, 15 Credits.
• Warehousing Management, 15 Credits.
• Economics II, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management II, 15 Credits.

Compulsory modules, Level 7, 120 Credits

• Total Quality Management, 15 Credits.
• Transport and Logistics Management, 15 Credits.
• Quantitative Analytics, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management I, 15 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 15 Credits.
• Project Management, 15 Credits.
• Ethics and Corporate Governance, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management II, 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of problem-solving techniques, and strategies, and manage functions of the supply chain effectively and efficiently.
2. Integrate and streamline the different supply chain processes to achieve strategic objectives within an organisation.
3. Apply appropriate methods, procedures and procurement techniques that are aligned with a business's strategy.
4. Manage and operate effectively within the warehouse environment and promote best practices concerning warehouse operations.
5. Apply the necessary legal regulations that govern businesses and promote ethical behaviour within the workplace.
6. Evaluate financial analysis of an organization's operations and generate reports to improve financial performance.
7. Compile an analysis of the macro and micro-environment that impact organisational performance and provide methods to manage these factors.
8. Facilitate efficient communication of information systems and the impact of digital transformation on business processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Develop an understanding of supply chain management and the processes that the discipline encapsulates.
• Analyse the various supply chain techniques and strategies used within a business to achieve organisational goals.
• Apply supply chain and logistics management principles and practices to solve challenges faced in the contemporary business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Asses the strategic importance of supply chain operations and justify methodologies that are used to improve supply chain performance.
• Evaluate the role of planning, forecasting and risk management processes in achieving supply chain success.
• Discuss and apply supply chain principles and practices within an organisational context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply sourcing and procurement procedures to drive business performance and the smooth flow of operations.
• Assess the importance of innovation and supplier relationship management on the success of the procurement function.
• Describe supply chain key concepts, methods, procedures and models.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Critically manage and maintain the role of warehouse management and the processes that are conducted within this functional area.
• Illustrate an understanding of warehousing operational functions and resources required for the successful implementation of this process.
• Analyse the integrated nature of inbound, and outbound transportation and warehouse as part of logistics management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Appraise the importance of ethical behaviour within the workplace and on stakeholder satisfaction.
• Apply regulations and policies that govern the business environment.
• Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Evaluate the importance of quantitative analytics on organisational decision-making processes.
• Analyse and generate financial statements that are reflective of an entity's performance.
• Apply financial skills through efficient decision-making to perform basic financial and accounting calculations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Assess the relationship between macroeconomic trends and business operations.
• Evaluate the impact of microeconomic factors on organisational performance.
• Discuss the difference between the micro-, market and macro business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Apply understanding of digital transformation and its impact on business performance.
• Criticize and compare the various technologies that are used within the field of supply chain management.
• Use communication skills and tools to facilitate the transfer of information between members along a supply chain and within an organisation.