Supply Chain Planning and Forecasting Training Course

This course equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to effectively plan, forecast, and optimize supply chain operations. It focuses on demand forecasting, inventory planning, procurement coordination, production planning, and supply chain analytics. Participants will learn how to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure the right products are available at the right time and place.

Target Groups

• Supply chain managers and officers
• Procurement and purchasing professionals
• Logistics and operations managers
• Inventory and demand planners
• Production and manufacturing planners
• Business analysts and forecasters
• Retail and distribution managers
• Students pursuing supply chain management, logistics, or business administration

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand principles of supply chain planning and forecasting
• Develop accurate demand forecasts
• Optimize inventory and stock levels
• Improve procurement and production planning
• Align supply chain activities with business demand
• Reduce costs and improve operational efficiency
• Use forecasting tools and techniques effectively
• Manage uncertainty and demand variability
• Strengthen supply chain coordination and responsiveness
• Apply data-driven decision-making in supply chains

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Supply Chain Planning

• Definition and importance of supply chain planning
• Components of supply chain systems
• Role of planning in supply chain efficiency
• Overview of supply chain processes
• Key performance indicators in supply chains

Module 2: Demand Forecasting Fundamentals

• Definition and types of forecasting
• Qualitative and quantitative forecasting methods
• Time series and causal forecasting techniques
• Forecast accuracy and error measurement
• Managing demand uncertainty

Module 3: Inventory Planning and Control

• Inventory management principles
• Stock classification and optimization
• Reorder points and safety stock
• Inventory turnover and efficiency
• Balancing supply and demand

Module 4: Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)

• Introduction to S&OP process
• Aligning demand and supply planning
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Production and sales coordination
• S&OP implementation framework

Module 5: Procurement and Supplier Planning

• Procurement planning process
• Supplier capacity and lead time planning
• Vendor coordination and management
• Procurement forecasting integration
• Cost optimization in sourcing

Module 6: Production Planning and Scheduling

• Production planning principles
• Capacity planning and utilization
• Master production scheduling
• Material requirements planning (MRP)
• Managing production constraints

Module 7: Supply Chain Data and Analytics

• Data sources in supply chain planning
• Forecasting tools and software
• Data analysis techniques
• KPIs and dashboard reporting
• Using analytics for decision-making

Module 8: Risk Management in Supply Chain Planning

• Identifying supply chain risks
• Demand and supply variability risks
• Disruption management strategies
• Scenario planning and contingency plans
• Building supply chain resilience

Module 9: Performance Measurement and Optimization

• Supply chain performance metrics
• Forecast accuracy measurement
• Cost and service level optimization
• Continuous improvement strategies
• Benchmarking supply chain performance

Module 10: Capstone Project and Case Studies

• Real-world supply chain forecasting scenarios
• Group project: developing a supply chain plan
• Demand forecasting and inventory simulation exercise
• Case study review of supply chain successes and failures
• Emerging trends in AI-driven forecasting, predictive analytics, and intelligent supply chain planning systems