Sourcing and Supplier Relationship Development 5 credits

Global supply chain disruptions in recent years have elevated sourcing and supplier management to critical strategic functions. Organisations now recognise that procurement extends far beyond operational purchasing - it represents a key lever for creating customer value, managing risk, and achieving competitive advantage through strategic supplier collaboration. This course offers an in-depth understanding of procurement's strategic role across different organisations and industries. You will explore the complete procurement process, including specification, supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, ordering, expediting, and evaluation. The course examines how procurement can evolve from a purely operational function focused on securing supply to a strategic function that creates customer value through supplier network collaboration. You will learn to make critical strategic choices, such as deciding whether to engage in long-term partnerships or spot market relationships based on organisational needs and market conditions. You will also investigate how sourcing managers can develop and manage relationships with different supplier groups to reduce costs, improve quality and service levels, and increase flexibility while addressing environmental and ethical considerations. Upon completion, you will understand procurement's role in achieving strategic supply chain goals and recognise the interconnections between production operations, procurement, and supplier relationship management in global supply chains. You will be able to analyse buyer-supplier dynamics, identify challenges and opportunities in supplier relationships, and develop solutions that strengthen partnerships and leverage competitive advantages. These capabilities prepare you to contribute strategically to procurement decisions and supplier network management in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.