Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management

Purpose

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the core business practice that determines the true effectiveness of other management activities. An efficient supply chain manager holds such a position that deals with marketing, human resources, finance, operations, Information Technology (IT) and the regulator of total business actions. The qualification aims to prepare learners for success in business and society and build mutual business and scholarly relationships with key external constituents.

The primary purpose of the qualification is to enable working professionals to undertake advanced reflection and development through a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in the SCM field. The qualification is intended for middle managers within an SCM environment. Learners achieving this qualification will be competent in applying SCM strategies and tools, systems and techniques in the manufacturing and service environment. Learners will be able to optimise resource usage to benefit the organisation. The incumbent will be a member of a middle management team and be eligible to register as an SCM practitioner with the professional body, Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

The focus of the qualification is on the planning, organizing, and controlling of these activities key elements for successful management in any organization. Special emphasis is given to strategic planning and decision making as important parts of the management process. Managerial efforts are directed towards logistics activities to make products and services available to customers at the time and place, to the condition and form desired, most profitably and cost-effectively. Supply Chain activities have always been vital to organizations. It is the combination of many concepts, principles, and methods from the traditional areas of marketing, production, accounting, purchasing, inventory and transportation, organizational behaviour, and economics. The qualification unifies these elements to assist in the effective management of the supply chain.

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

• Analyse and evaluate the current and predicted international and local practices and trends in SCM regarding accepted SCM principles.
• Evaluate advanced SCM integration strategies across different companies and make recommendations for improvement, in line with current trends and practices.
• Conduct research and apply academic writing and information processing skills to cultivate analytical and critical thinking skills in the SCM practice.
• Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in the area of SCM and evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
• Evaluate and apply appropriate standard procedures, processes or techniques to unfamiliar problems in the SCM field, discipline or practice.
• Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.

Rationale

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is considered to be a scarce skill by the Department of Labour in South Africa and a critical skills shortage in many countries throughout the world. As indicated in Government Gazette no. 37678 of 23 May 2014 for the 'National Scarce Skills List: Top 100 Occupations in Demand' in South Africa, operations management or supply chain management is listed as one of the National Scarce Skills. Therefore, the supply chain function has become increasingly important to governments, organisations, and companies in a competitive market across a variety of sectors. The qualification is designed to address these critical skills shortages in South Africa.

The qualification is designed to meet industry needs in the supply chain in all sectors. This qualification is imperative since it will address the transformation of Higher Education in South Africa. The qualification seeks to widen access to previously disadvantaged learners, racial and gender inequalities, promoting employability of learners to contribute to the economic and societal needs of the country, etc. It is also important to refer to the needs of stakeholders such as employers and professional bodies. Furthermore, the qualification contributes to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and personnel development in SCM at a specialist level to improve organisational performance.

The qualification will build up and develop learners' abilities to analyse and evaluate the current and predicted international and local practices and trends in SCM with reference to accepted SCM principles. Furthermore, the qualification will develop learners to be able to evaluate advanced SCM integration strategies across different companies and make recommendations for improvement in line with current trends and practices. Learners will be able to demonstrate research and information processing skills, conduct applied research on complex problems in SCM and present the research findings to relevant stakeholders, develop a strategic management framework for supply chain management in a business environment, and build up the Postgraduate with the ability to critically analyse an appropriate research issue on the subject of supply chain management.

In addition, research indicated all the municipalities in South Africa and other government bodies have failed to deliver the level of expected customer service because of supply chain management problems and inadequacies within their institutions. Effective SCM, therefore, reduces costs of products, decreases transportation and other expenses, has a positive impact on the rate of inflation, reduces interest rates and most importantly ensures that products and services arrive when and where they are needed, providing time, place, and possession utility. The qualification will equip learners with the knowledge, and disciple-specific skills to make a meaningful contribution to the economy of South Africa. It will also provide learners with the skills that are required to manage international trade which ultimately will impact positively on the balance of payments of the country.

The qualification will assist in meeting the demand for advanced managerial and professional skills in the Southern African Development Community and to support the South African economy in closing the gap between South African practice and global best practices in SCM. The qualification contributes to a progression pathway to Master's Degree studies through deepening their knowledge and understanding of theory, methodologies, and practices in the SCM field. The qualification will benefit learners to gain an in-depth understanding of the industry, and in providing them with the opportunities to learn hands-on through an applied research project in the areas of the supply chain. They will have the necessary skills as a manager which are crucial in this industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification may be achieved through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal, and non-formal learning and work experience. Recognition of Prior Learning is applied in terms of policy and criteria of the institution in accordance with the national imperatives of widening access.

RPL for access

• The qualification provides alternative routes of access to higher education.RPL for access is applied to earners 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.
• Advanced standing may be granted.

RPL for exemption from module

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification.
• For a learner to be exempted from a module and 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 credits

• 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 non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Business Science in Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Operations Management, NQF level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management NQF level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Management, NQF level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Entrepreneurship, NQF level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma: Office Management and Technology, NQF level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma: Retail Management, NQF level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Technology in Commerce and cognate qualifications, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,120 Credits

• Research Methodology, 24 Credits.
• Project Management, 18 Credits.
• Strategic Management, 30 Credits.
• Managing the Value Chain Network, 30 Credits.
• Enterprise Resources Planning, 18 Credits.

1. Analyse and evaluate the current and predicted international and local practices and trends in Supply Chain Management (SCM) with reference to accepted SCM principles.
2. Evaluate advanced SCM integration strategies across different companies and make recommendations for improvement, in line with current trends and practices.
3. Conduct research and apply information processing and academic writing skills to cultivate analytical and critical thinking skills.
4. Conduct applied research on complex problems in SCM and present the research findings to relevant stakeholders.
5. Develop a strategic management framework for supply chain management in a business environment.
6. Critically analyse an appropriate research issue on the subject of supply chain management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Evaluate the contribution of strategic supply chain management to corporate and business strategy.
• Evaluate inventory movements in the supply chain to ensure the minimised cost in the supply chain management process.
• Compare the main approaches SCM to the development and implementation of strategic relationship management in supply chains.
• Analyse the role of distribution systems in SCM to oversee the movement of goods from supplier or manufacturer to point of sale.
• Assess the effect that globalisation has on supply chains with regard to the three major factors that affect supply chain risk.
• Analyse the impact of costs and finance on supply chains to establish the strategic use of technology to gain supply chain efficiencies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Assess demand-driven planning and business operating model based on real-time demand insights and demand shaping.
• Explore complex integration opportunities to enhance and foster long-term relationships across all supply chain participants that are developed, integrated, implemented and managed.
• Practically assess the status of an adaptive and agile supply chain with rapid planning and integrated execution.
• Evaluate the optimized product designs and product management for supply, manufacturing, and sustainability to accelerate profitable innovation.
• Evaluate the supply chain process with business goals by integrating sales and operations planning with corporate business planning.
• Examine the sustainability of supply chain operations in terms of social and environmental sustainability production efficiency, supplier management skills, and attractiveness to employees.
• Analyse whether the supply chain is reliable and predictable with reference to supply chain operations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Conceptualise, justify, and delineate a viable research topic from industry within the field of practice.
• Identify and solve an authentic industry-related problem to use as the focus of research.
• Review and evaluate references pertinent to the field of study.
• Employ a survey research method to design and conduct a research project.
• Apply theories in formulating and setting up a preliminary research idea and research problem in the initiating stage of a research project.
• Organise and manage primary data (instrumentation, data integrity and analysis).
• Write a research report correctly reflecting the outcome of the research findings with recommendations according to correct academic writing criteria.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop plans to improve organisational competitiveness through effective SCM for both direct and indirect organisational responsibilities.
• Analyse the future trends of SCM to deal with more complex problems. For example, the key factors that affect SCM in the future, and what forecasting methods can be used for the forecasting, e.g. na�ve, Delphi method, etc.
• Evaluate SCM tasks and problems addressed by strategic planning.
• Analyse the key issues regarding strategic implementation in line with supply chain management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Assess how the supply chain value has clearly been defined and communicated in an organization.
• Identify and evaluate the key factors that affect the supply chain process in the organization.
• Analyse the strategic management framework to improve the SCM process in the organization.
• Test and validate the framework in the business environment by using appropriate and scientific methods.
• Make recommendations for the implementation of a strategic management framework for Supply Chain Management (SCM).
• Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.
• Contribute SCM solutions to the business for further development and problem solving by providing a direction for further research in the SCM field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Assess the ability to demonstrate a procedure using appropriate equipment/ tools/techniques.
• Evaluate and apply theories to set up a preliminary research idea and research problem in the initiating stage of research proposal development.
• Investigate a problem by breaking down the different aspects into manageable components and interpret data to make recommendations.
• Write a scientific report addressing a supply chain problem, using a quantitative analysis approach.