Introductory description

In today's global environment there is a growing realisation that everyone, everywhere has access to the same underlying elements, including hardware, software and technology. It is the management of these underlying elements which offers the greatest potential for developing a competitive advantage. Consequently logistics and operations management is critical to the success of an engineering company and is often referred to today as the supply chain management process which encompasses all operations from the extraction of raw material, through manufacture to the recycling of products at the end of their life. Logistics is recognised as a key function in meeting market requirements quickly, flexibly and without incurring punitive inventory costs. This must involve the management of external companies supplying materials or services to the company as well as the management of operations within the company.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Relationship of Logistics and Operations Management strategy with:
   - Overall business strategy
   - Manufacturing strategy
   - Make/buy policy
   - Manufacturing environment (make to order/ make to stock, job/batch/line/flow production)
• Theory & principles of supply chain management
• Basic operations planning & control techniques:
   - Forecasting demand
   - Capacity management
   - Scheduling and sequencing
   - Inventory management
   - Planning & control systems and methodologies (Material Requirements Planning, Manufacturing Resource Planning, Optimised Production Technology, Lean, Just In Time)
• Measuring performance in Logistics and Operations Management

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Appreciate the causes of demand variation and the operational impact of dynamic flow through the extended supply chain.
• Remove the causes or/and alleviate the operational impact of demand variation.
• Be able to select appropriate logistics and operations management strategies, objectives and performance measures that align with each other and the overall business strategy.
• Appreciate and be able to manage the interrelationships and interdependencies between capacity, inventory and delivery performance in-order to achieve effective and efficient operational performance.
• Critically evaluate, select and apply tools and techniques for the planning, control and improvement of logistics and operations management performance.
• Describe and critically discuss the control systems and approaches that can be used for logistics and operations management in different operational environments.
• Apply the theory of Logistics and Operations Management to identify a performance issue in their own organisation, critically evaluate alternative approaches, select the most appropriate solution and propose an effective implementation plan.

Indicative reading list

“Logistics Management”, Grant D.B.; 2012; Pearson ISBN: 0273731351
“Operations Management”, Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A. & Johnston, R. 2015; Pearson Education; ISBN-10: 0273776290
“The Definitive Guide to Manufacturing and Service Operations: Master the Strategies and Tactics for Planning, Organizing, and Managing How Products and Services Are Produced.” Sanders, N; 2013; Pearson Education. ISBN: 0133438643.
"Manufacturing Planning and Control Systems for Supply Chain Management": Vollman, Berry et al., 2005; ISBN 0-071121331.
"Logistics and Supply Chain Management": Christopher, M.; 2016; Pitman Publishing; ISBN 0-273-0-630490.
“Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation”; Chopra, S., et al.; 2009; ISBN: 0136094511
“Operations Management for Competitive Advantage”: Chase, Aquilano and Jacobs; McGraw-Hill; 2006; ISBN: 0-07-250636-9
“Service Management: Operations, Strategy, and Information Technology” James A. Fitzsimmons, Mona J. Fitzsimmons, 2006; McGraw-Hill; ISBN: 0071244409
“Operations Management”; Slack et al., 2010; (Electronic Resource Warwick Library)
“Operations Strategy”: Slack, N. and Lewis M.; Pearson: 2014; ISBN-10: 1292017791
"The Goal": Goldratt, E. and Cox G. ; Gower; 1984; ISBN 0-566-02683-X.
“Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation”; Chopra, S., et al.; 2009; ISBN: 0136094511
“Strategic Supply Chain Alignment; Best Practice in Supply Chain Management”: Gattorna, J.L.; 1998; Gower Publishing Limited, ISBN 0-566-07825-2
“Inventory Management: Advanced Methods for Managing Inventory within Business Systems.” Relph, G, Milner, C; 2015, Kogan Page, ISBN: 0749473681
“The Logistics and Supply Chain Toolkit: Over 90 Tools for Transport, Warehousing and Inventory Management.” Richards, G. and Grinsted, S.; 2013, ISBN-10: 0749468084

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Balance of supply and demand, Operations Management, Logistics, Lean principles, ERP/Control Systems.

Transferable skills

Critical Thinking/Evaluation, Problem Solving, Communication, Professionalism, Team Working & Presentation Skills.