The role and contribution of purchasing, more commonly known today as procurement, has evolved considerably in recent years. Successful organisations now realise the competitive advantage that effective procurement and supply chain management can offer. This practical module provides students with the fundamental building blocks for developing a contemporary procurement function whilst understanding the necessary capabilities to support the supply chain integration strategies. In particular this module explores the procurement process, further highlighting the knowledge and skills required to become an effective buyer.

The module content has also received recognition by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)’s. Students who successfully complete this module as part of the BSc Business Management (Logistics & Operations) pathway will be able to apply for modular exemptions for the Graduate Diploma in Procurement and Supply, should graduates later wish to pursue CIPS professional qualifications.

A.   Knowledge and Understanding

• Understand contemporary thinking regarding the importance of effective procurement and supply chain management throughout entire supply chains.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of the characteristics of procurement practice in different organisational environments.
• Determine the key issues surrounding global sourcing.

B.   Intellectual Skills:

• Compare the relative merits and demerits of various models of procurement structures and organisation.

C.   Discipline Specific Skills:

• Appraise the key variables that impact effective procurement and supply chain management.
• Determine the key elements of contract law that are applicable to procurement practice.
• Identify the main issues surrounding outsourcing and global sourcing strategies.
• Describe some of the particular issues pertinent to procurement and supply chain management in both the public and private sectors.

D.   Transferable Skills:

• Evaluate case studies and draw recommendations from complex qualitative data.
• Develop problem-solving and teamworking skills through group working on case studies.
• Presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex information orally to a small group using appropriate visual aids.

The module comprises 22 hours of lectures and tutorials spread over one semester.

Teaching methods involve a combination of formal lectures and more informal tutorial sessions designed to encourage discussion and participation. Students will be encouraged to explore the application of concepts learned through the use of contemporary case studies.

Indicative study hours: 100

Formal assessment consists of continuous assessment. Continuous assessment coursework consists of one presentation and one individual short report. Informal assessment is provided through interactive lecture sessions in which students are required to work in teams to tackle problems presented through case studies and to formally feedback their collective view.

The role and scope of procurement and supply chain management (SCM); the evolution and development of procurement and supply chain management; key variables governing effective procurement and supply chain management; source selection and management; procurement performance measurement and procurement research; outsourcing and international procurement; ethical dilemmas in procurement; legal aspects of procurement and SCM; public sector procurement.

Baily, P. 2015. Procurement principles and management. 11^th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education. 
Available at Aberconway library.

van Weele, A.J. 2014. Purchasing and supply chain management. 6^th ed. Andover: Cengage Learning. 
Available at Aberconway library.

Lysons, K. and Farrington, B. 2012. Purchasing and supply management. 8^th ed. Harlow: Pearson. 
Available at Aberconway library and online at: http://bit.ly/28LR2F0  

Day, M., ed. 2002. Gower handbook of purchasing management. 3^rd ed. Aldershot: Gower. 
Available at Aberconway library.

Baily, P.J.H. 2005. Purchasing principles and management. 9^th ed. Harlow: FT Prentice-Hall. 
Available at Aberconway library and online at: http://bit.ly/2auhXBu

Students will also be expected to read articles in the following journals:

Supply Chain Management

Journal of Supply Chain Management

European Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management Supply Management