Supply Chain Management, Purchasing & Procurement

Overview

Supply Chain Management, Purchasing & Procurement

Course Overview

The Supply Chain Management, Purchasing & Procurement course introduces the

Explore how organisations source goods and services, manage suppliers and make purchasing decisions with this Supply Chain Management, Purchasing & Procurement course. The programme introduces procurement principles, purchasing processes and the relationship between these activities and wider supply chain management.

The curriculum begins with sourcing management and supplier selection, examining how organisations approach procurement decisions. Learners also explore contracts and their legal aspects, alongside negotiation principles relevant to purchasing arrangements.

Further topics include purchasing strategy, global purchasing and risk management, providing an overview of considerations that can influence sourcing and buying decisions. The course also introduces everyday purchasing methods and tools, before examining how purchasing activities relate to supply chain management.

Designed for learners interested in procurement, purchasing and related business functions, the course provides introductory knowledge of supplier management, commercial purchasing considerations and the role of procurement within supply chain activities.

Key Topics Covered

• Procurement Principles, Sourcing and Supplier Selection: Explore approaches to sourcing goods and services and selecting suppliers.

• Contracts, Legal Considerations and Negotiation: Examine contractual principles and negotiation within procurement.

• Purchasing Strategy and Global Purchasing: Understand strategic considerations in domestic and international purchasing.

• Purchasing Risk Management and Everyday Tools: Explore risks associated with purchasing and the methods used in routine buying activities.

• Supply Chain Management and Purchasing: Examine the relationship between purchasing decisions and wider supply chain activities.

 

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction to Procurement

Introduces procurement and its role in helping organisations obtain the goods and services they need. Learners begin exploring the purpose of procurement within business operations.

Main learning topics:

• Introduction to procurement

• Purpose of procurement

• Procurement activities

• Procurement in organisations

Module 2: Sourcing Management

Explores sourcing management and its role in identifying potential suppliers and organising how purchasing needs are met.

Main learning topics:

• Sourcing management

• Identifying sourcing options

• Supplier sourcing

• Sourcing decisions

Module 3: Supplier Selection

Focuses on supplier selection and the importance of choosing suitable suppliers to support organisational purchasing requirements.

Main learning topics:

• Supplier selection

• Evaluating supplier suitability

• Supplier comparisons

• Supplier-related purchasing decisions

Module 4: Contracts and the Legal Aspects of Procurement

Introduces contracts and legal considerations associated with procurement, highlighting their importance in purchasing relationships and agreements.

Main learning topics:

• Procurement contracts

• Legal aspects of procurement

• Contractual agreements

• Responsibilities in purchasing arrangements

Module 5: Negotiations

Examines negotiation in procurement and purchasing, including its role in reaching agreements with suppliers.

Main learning topics:

• Procurement negotiations

• Supplier discussions

• Negotiation objectives

• Reaching purchasing agreements

Module 6: Introduction to Purchasing

Introduces purchasing as a business activity and explores its relationship with procurement and the acquisition of goods.

Main learning topics:

• Purchasing principles

• Purchasing activities

• Purchasing decisions

• Relationship between purchasing and procurement

Module 7: The Strategy of Purchasing

Explores purchasing strategy and how organisations approach purchasing decisions in line with their needs and objectives.

Main learning topics:

• Purchasing strategy

• Strategic purchasing decisions

• Purchasing priorities

• Organisational purchasing needs

Module 8: Global Purchasing

Introduces global purchasing and the considerations involved when purchasing goods from suppliers across international markets.

Main learning topics:

• Global purchasing

• International sourcing

• Purchasing across markets

• Global supplier relationships

Module 9: Risk Management in Purchasing

Examines risk management in purchasing and why recognising and considering purchasing-related risks matters to organisations.

Main learning topics:

• Purchasing risk management

• Identifying purchasing risks

• Assessing potential risks

• Risk-aware purchasing decisions

Module 10: Methods and Tools for Everyday Purchasing

Explores methods and tools used in everyday purchasing activities, helping learners understand the practical processes involved in routine purchasing work.

Main learning topics:

• Everyday purchasing methods

• Purchasing tools

• Routine purchasing activities

• Applying purchasing processes

Module 11: Supply Chain Management

Introduces supply chain management and its relationship with procurement and purchasing. Learners explore the broader context in which sourcing and purchasing activities take place.

Main learning topics:

• Supply chain management principles

• Supply chain activities

• Purchasing within the supply chain

• Coordination of suppliers and goods

Who Is This Course For?

The Supply Chain Management, Purchasing & Procurement course is suitable for learners interested in understanding how organisations source products, select suppliers and coordinate purchasing activities.

• Aspiring procurement assistants: Build foundational knowledge of sourcing, supplier selection, contracts and procurement processes.

• Purchasing administrators: Explore purchasing methods, supplier relationships and everyday purchasing activities relevant to administrative procurement work.

• Supply chain coordinators: Develop an understanding of how purchasing and procurement connect with wider supply chain management.

• Logistics professionals: Explore the purchasing and supplier-related activities that contribute to the wider logistics and supply chain process.

• Procurement officers and purchasing professionals: Review foundational concepts involving negotiations, purchasing strategy, global purchasing and risk management.

• Small business owners and managers: Learn about supplier selection, purchasing decisions and procurement considerations relevant to obtaining goods for business operations.

• Career changers and beginners: Gain an introduction to purchasing and procurement before deciding whether to pursue further training or relevant employment.

• Retail, manufacturing and distribution employees: Understand purchasing activities that support the sourcing and supply of products in these sectors.

The course provides foundational knowledge. Employers may also expect practical experience, relevant qualifications or familiarity with their own purchasing systems and procedures.

Requirements

No formal entry requirements have been supplied for this course.

• No previous procurement or supply chain qualification has been specified as necessary.

• No particular level of work experience has been stated.

• The curriculum may suit beginners who want to understand purchasing, procurement and supply chain management.

• Existing purchasing or logistics experience may help learners relate the subject matter to workplace situations, but it has not been stated as a requirement.

Check the provider’s course information for any additional enrolment conditions.

Skills You Can Develop

• Procurement knowledge — Understand the purpose of procurement and how it supports organisational purchasing needs.

• Sourcing awareness — Explore sourcing management and the considerations involved in identifying potential suppliers.

• Supplier selection — Develop an understanding of how supplier suitability relates to purchasing decisions.

• Contract awareness — Learn about contracts and the legal aspects of procurement.

• Negotiation knowledge — Understand the role of negotiations in supplier discussions and purchasing agreements.

• Purchasing process awareness — Explore purchasing activities and their relationship with procurement.

• Strategic purchasing knowledge — Understand the importance of purchasing strategy and organisational purchasing priorities.

• Global purchasing awareness — Explore purchasing activities involving international markets and supplier relationships.

• Purchasing risk awareness — Develop an understanding of why identifying and considering risks matters in purchasing.

• Supply chain understanding — Recognise how procurement and purchasing fit into the broader supply chain management process.

These skills describe knowledge and awareness supported by the curriculum. Practical proficiency with specialist procurement software or workplace purchasing systems is not specified in the supplied module list.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

1. Explain the purpose of procurement within organisational operations.

2. Describe the role of sourcing management in purchasing activities.

3. Identify considerations relevant to supplier selection.

4. Explain the importance of contracts and legal aspects in procurement.

5. Describe the role of negotiation in supplier and purchasing agreements.

6. Differentiate between purchasing activities and the wider procurement process.

7. Explain the purpose of purchasing strategy in organisational decision-making.

8. Describe the main considerations associated with global purchasing.

9. Recognise the importance of risk management and methods used in everyday purchasing.

10. Explain how purchasing and procurement relate to wider supply chain management.

Career Paths

The course may help learners build foundational knowledge relevant to purchasing, procurement, logistics and supply chain management jobs. It does not guarantee employment or qualify learners automatically for any particular position.

Salary ranges below are indicative UK annual estimates. Actual pay varies by location, sector, employer, experience and responsibility level.

Procurement Assistant

Typical UK Salary: Approximately £23,000–£30,000 per year.

How this course is relevant: The modules on procurement, sourcing management, supplier selection and contracts introduce concepts relevant to supporting procurement activities. Employers may also require administrative skills, practical experience or familiarity with purchasing systems.

Purchasing Administrator

Typical UK Salary: Approximately £23,000–£30,000 per year.

How this course is relevant: The purchasing modules explore routine purchasing activities, purchasing methods and supplier-related decisions. This knowledge may help learners understand the processes associated with purchasing administration, although job-specific systems and procedures may require additional training.

Procurement Officer

Typical UK Salary: Approximately £28,000–£40,000 per year.

How this course is relevant: Supplier selection, negotiation, contracts, purchasing strategy and risk management are relevant to procurement responsibilities. Officer-level positions may require previous procurement experience, additional qualifications or evidence of practical competence.

Supply Chain Coordinator

Typical UK Salary: Approximately £26,000–£36,000 per year.

How this course is relevant: The final module introduces supply chain management, while earlier modules cover purchasing and supplier relationships. These subjects can help learners understand how procurement fits into wider supply chain activities. Employers may also expect coordination, planning and relevant workplace experience.

Logistics Coordinator

Typical UK Salary: Approximately £25,000–£35,000 per year.

How this course is relevant: The course provides an introduction to supply chain management and purchasing activities that connect with the broader movement and supply of goods. It does not specifically teach transport planning or logistics software, so additional role-specific knowledge may be needed.

Purchasing Manager

Typical UK Salary: Approximately £40,000–£60,000 per year.

How this course is relevant: Purchasing strategy, global purchasing, negotiations and risk management are relevant to the subject areas associated with purchasing management. However, management positions generally require substantial practical experience and may require further professional development. This course alone should not be considered sufficient preparation for a management appointment.

Supply Chain Manager

Typical UK Salary: Approximately £45,000–£70,000 per year.

How this course is relevant: The curriculum introduces supply chain management alongside procurement, purchasing strategy, supplier selection and purchasing risk. These subjects provide useful background, but supply chain management positions often require broader operational expertise, experience and additional training beyond the course.

Salary note: These figures are broad estimates, not verified live vacancy data. Check current UK job advertisements and employer salary information when evaluating specific opportunities.

FAQs

1. What is supply chain management?

Supply chain management involves coordinating activities and relationships associated with sourcing, purchasing and moving goods through a supply chain. It connects purchasing decisions with the wider process of obtaining and supplying products.

2. What is the difference between purchasing and procurement?

Purchasing generally focuses on acquiring the goods or services an organisation needs. Procurement is a broader process that can include sourcing, supplier selection, negotiations, contracts and purchasing decisions. The two activities are closely connected.

3. What does the Supply Chain Management, Purchasing & Procurement course cover?

The course contains 11 modules covering procurement, sourcing management, supplier selection, contracts, negotiations, purchasing strategy, global purchasing, risk management, everyday purchasing methods and supply chain management.

4. What is the purchasing and procurement process?

A purchasing and procurement process can involve identifying organisational needs, sourcing potential suppliers, selecting a suitable supplier, negotiating terms, arranging contractual agreements and managing purchasing activities. The specific steps vary between organisations and the type of purchase.

5. What jobs can I explore after studying purchasing and procurement?

Relevant career areas include procurement assistance, purchasing administration, procurement officer roles, supply chain coordination and logistics coordination. The course may provide foundational knowledge for these areas, but employment depends on individual experience, employer requirements and any additional qualifications needed.

6. What is a supply chain management system?

A supply chain management system refers to the processes and, often, software organisations use to coordinate supply chain activities such as sourcing, purchasing, inventory and the movement of goods. This course introduces supply chain management concepts, but the supplied curriculum does not specify practical training in particular software systems.

7. Are purchasing and procurement courses suitable for beginners?

They can be. This course introduces procurement and purchasing before progressing to supplier selection, contracts, negotiations, purchasing strategy, risk management and supply chain management. No formal entry requirements have been supplied, so learners should confirm any enrolment conditions with the provider.