Diploma in Supply Chain Management

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to develop learners who can demonstrate focused knowledge and skills in the field of Supply Chain Management. The learners will possess a range of professional, vocational and industry specific skills and competencies which will enable them to critically analyse, interpret and understand the supply chain management principles, processes and procedures. The learner will be able to perform functional activities associated with supply chain management and can function in various fields such as procurement, materials management, transportation, production management, customer support management and the general business environments in both public and private sectors. The qualification provides a substantial component of Work Integrated Learning(WIL) which enable graduates to acquire work related experience which affords them opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills when they get to the workplace. The qualification provides learners with opportunities to further their studies through articulation into Advanced Diplomas in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Procurement and other related fields. The qualification strives to achieve student-centred learning through supportive teaching provided by mentoring, life skills and language proficiency programmes aimed at assisting under-prepared students. The qualification provides for students to engage with industry developments through Work-Integrated Learning(WIL) programmes and activities which benefit the students, the academic process and the industry at large.

Rationale

The purpose of the qualification is to develop learners who can demonstrate focused knowledge and skills in logistics management. Learners will develop depth and specialisation of knowledge, together with practical skills through Work Integrated Learning(WIL), to enable graduates to apply their learning in the workplace. There is a reported lack of adequate knowledge, expertise and practical skills in logistics, supply chain management, and procurement in South Africa. This qualification will provide a set of very important and essential skills to prospective managers in government and in the private sector. The qualification will address the national skills shortage and learners will be equipped to take up positions as: logistics coordinators, supply chain managers, and procurement practitioners. In addition, it provides diplomats with an opportunity to further specialised in logistics, supply chain management, and procurement.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

As per institutional policy, Credits towards this qualification may be obtained by means of Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL).

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Communication for Academic Purposes, 10 Credits.
• Practical Accounting, I, 24 Credits.
• Business Management I, 24 Credits.
• Economics IB, 12 Credits.
• Economics IA, 12 Credits.
• Information Literacy, 2 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management I, 24 Credits.
• Life Skills I, 2 Credits.
• Computer Literacy, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 240 Credits

• Commercial Law, 24 Credits.
• Costing and Estimating, 24 Credits.
• Procurement Management II, 24 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management II, 24 Credits.
• Transport Economics II, 24 Credits.
• Procurement Management III, 24 Credits.
• Business Management III, 24 Credits.
• Supply Chain Operations I, 24 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management III, 24 Credits.
• Quantitative Techniques, 24 Credits.

1.Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the various means of accessing and communicating information, including the use of information technology effectively to function in the supply chain and procurement industry in a changing business environment.

2.Use a range of business management, entrepreneurial and other skills to identify, analyse and solve problems in the effective management of the supply chain management function. This includes applying the relevant legal and economic principles to make informed decisions in an ethical manner.

3.Demonstrate an understanding of the basic financial management principles, key concepts and the operational procedures of a supply chain, procurement and distribution operation.

4.Demonstrate the ability to manage and maintain the principles related to the planning, presentation and executing of tasks related to the supply chain operation.

5.Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team when planning and managing the provision of supply chain and procurement services to meet the expectations of the industry.

6.Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the concepts, rules and theories applicable to supply chain management, procurement and distribution, and how that knowledge relates to other fields, disciplines and practices.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Supply chain system is developed in line with organisational strategy and fits into the resource requirements planning.
• Supply chain strategy is developed for an organisation that maximises the benefits, and minimises the supply chain challenges.
• Strategies are analysed in order to make recommendations for improvement of the achievements of organisational strategic imperatives.
• An understanding of the strategic sourcing, in/outsourcing process is demonstrated.
• Strategies are developed to optimise supply chain procurement operations and ensure stakeholder satisfaction.
• Capacity planning is conducted in order to balance supply and demand.
• Financial management concepts and principles relating to financial statement analysis are applied.
• Time value money techniques to value financial instruments within a risk return framework are applied.
• Specific Supply Chain Management issues are analysed in general management context.
• An explanation is given of the key steps and potential challenges in creating an effective supply chain in terms of how strategic partnerships can enhance the supply chain management.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is done on the following basis: In the assessment strategy as a whole, evidence must be demonstrated through a variety of options which can include case studies, problem solving assignments and strategies, projects, written and oral examinations, and practical exercises, presentations and demonstrations. Some strategies will be more suited to assess foundational competence while others are more suited to assess practical and reflexive competence. The final integrated assessment needs to measure applied competence. It would be in the form of a written internal examination with external moderation, practical examination and a final integrated portfolio assessment. It should assess whether learners are able to co-ordinate and manage all logistics activities through research, plan, and design and conduct (practical competence), and understand the theoretical basis for these activities (foundational competence), and reflect and evaluate logistics activities and make changes to their practices (reflexive competence). A Work Integrated Learning Component will allow students to perform the practical and reflexive competence and will specifically be assessed by a portfolio which will be moderated and assessed in-line with institutional policies.