Essential Information
Materials management deals with the flow of goods and services throughout an organization's production process, from order placement to product delivery. Materials managers seek to find the optimal processes to both satisfy customers and maximize company profits. Specific logistics management issues depend on the company or industry; however, programs that teach materials management skills usually also include courses in purchasing, inventory and production planning.
Concepts learned in these courses are:
- Problem solving and analysis skills
- Understanding the management component of the field
- Knowledge of professional opportunities for management
- Differences between different kinds of management
- Tools and techniques utilized
List of Common Materials Management Courses
Processes of Supply Chain Management Course
This course examines the movement of materials along the stages of the production process, from the time the customer places an order to the delivery. Lectures address the role of materials in purchasing, planning, production, inventory, storage and distribution processes. Taking this course early in supply chain management (SCM) programs can benefit students by providing an overview of a wide variety of SCM procedures.
Production Planning Course
A course in production planning explores the planning and scheduling of both material and manpower resources in order to meet customer orders. It addresses supply chain planning methods, such as capacity requirements planning (CRP), which bases production rate on the maximum amount of product a production schedule can accommodate, and material resource planning (MRP), which bases the production schedule on the availability of materials.
Inventory Management Course
Students learn various ways of ensuring that inventory levels meet production schedule needs. They are also introduced to lean material maintenance methods, including CRP, MRP and just in time (JIT) material supply decisions, which affect when materials are ordered and brought into the warehouse prior to the production process. Lecture topics also include aspects of warehouse control, including inventory and safety stock levels.
Purchasing Materials Course
Since purchasing decisions can determine the levels of warehouse material supply, a course in purchasing practices is often included alongside material management courses. A purchasing course includes methods of determining material order levels according to customer orders and production capacity. Topics also include vendor selection and management, cost analysis, contract negotiations and supply base optimization.
Transportation and Distribution Course
Instruction includes lectures on various methods of transportation and distribution, also called traffic management, such as railroad car, ocean liner, airplane and truck. Discussion also covers factors that affect transportation decisions, such as cost and on-time delivery ratio. International transportation issues, such as customs regulations, are also often included.
