Strategic supply chain management more important than ever

The growing importance of strategic supply chain management as a key to business innovation and competitiveness underpins a new suite of postgraduate programs in this area to be launched by the University of Technology Sydney in 2017.

UTS has a long and proud history of teaching strategic supply chain management (SSCM) but the new programs offer increased flexibility, a greater degree of specialisation and now come with accreditation by the leading industry voice, the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). 

Students will be able to study either full-time or part-time, and have the option of completing a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree or extended master's degree.

"Supply chain professionals address real problems every day," says Professor Peter Booth, Provost and Senior Vice-President at UTS. "This means the approach to teaching the next generation of professionals must be leading edge."

Supply chain management and procurement touch every aspect of our lives, whether it's a two-for-one deal at the local supermarket, waiting times in emergency rooms or product safety recalls, says supply chain management specialist Associate Professor Renu Agarwal.

Operations and supply chain strategy is also an important lever for business transformation, she says. "They are a key to innovation and competitiveness."

Against this background, UTS Business School undertook a thorough review and revision of its supply chain management programs to ensure a focused and comprehensive approach.

The signing of a partnership with the CIPS, formally accrediting the Masters in SSCM and Masters in SSCM (Extension) programs, capped this major revamp.  

"Strategic supply chain management is the backbone of any contemporary organisation," UTS Business School Dean Professor Roy Green says. "We are very proud to be unveiling these new programs and to be able to lead education in this area both domestically and globally." 

The Head of UTS Business School's Management Discipline Group, Professor Carl Rhodes, added: "We look forward to welcoming new students into our Strategic Supply Chain Management programs from 2017 onwards, and to continuing to play a role in the education of tomorrow's supply chain professionals."

The focus of the new programs will be on the full range of skills and capabilities needed to manage complex business operations across a global economy, Associate Professor Agarwal says.

This starts with the basics of operations and supply chain management, and then moves on to strategic procurement, quality management, project management, global supply chain complexity and risk management, global logistics and value networks design, service and network productivity, data analytics and beyond. 

"CIPS accreditation means the programs are guaranteed to be at the forefront of supply chain management practice," she says. Students receive complimentary CIPS membership, giving them access to the latest initiatives and best practices.

"CIPS is pleased to be working closely with UTS," CIPS Australasia Membership and Professional Development Manager Debbie Greenberger says.

"This is an important step for the institute as we continue to strengthen strategic partnerships with academia. We look forward to providing students with the opportunity to pursue MCIPS – considered the industry benchmark and the licence to practice for procurement and supply chain professionals."

CIPS has a global community of over 120,000 professionals. UTS joins some of the most prestigious universities in the world in its Academic Partnership Program.