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ENT324Management Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Principles Of Purchasing & Supply

This course introduces the principles of purchasing and supply management. It covers the nature of purchasing and supply management, the conceptual framework, and the purchasing and supply function. Topics include quality assurance activities, supplier selection, pricing procedures, inventory management, government purchasing, negotiated procurements, and expediting and follow-up of orders. The course aims to equip students with the skills and competency to effectively manage the flow of materials.

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120h
Study Time
13
Weeks
9h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
PurchasingSupply ManagementProcurementInventoryNegotiation

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Purchasing Function

2

Procurement

3

Supply Chain Management

4

Supplier Selection

5

Pricing Procedures

6

Inventory Management

7

Contract Law

8

Negotiation

9

International Sourcing

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Procurement Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Supply Chain Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Purchasing Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Contract Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Logistics Coordinator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

ManufacturingRetailGovernmentHealthcareConstruction

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

4h

Unit 1: The Purchasing Function

4 study hours
  • Understand the changing role of purchasing
  • Define key terms: purchasing, procurement, supply chain management, materials management
  • Discuss the evolution of sustainable purchasing practices
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction

4h

Unit 2: Purchasing Guidelines, Terms and Terminologies

4 study hours
  • Explain standard tender enquiry documents
  • Outline guidelines for public procurement
  • Discuss the fundamental principles of public buying
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction

4h

Unit 3: General principles of entering into contracts

4 study hours
  • Highlight and discuss the elementary legal practices that pertain to purchase of goods
  • Outline and explain the general principles that should be observed while entering into contracts
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction

4h

Unit 4: Supplier's Selection Activities

4 study hours
  • State and discuss factors in Supplier selection
  • Highlight and comment on the sources of supplier's information
  • State and describe and/or calculate both qualitative and quantitative processes of supplier Evaluation
Week
5

Module 1: Introduction

4h

Unit 5: Pricing Procedures in Procurement and Supply Function

4 study hours
  • List and explain the importance of obtaining materials at the right price
  • State clearly the role of price in purchasing
  • Describe how buyers obtain prices
Week
6

Module 2: Purchasing Methods

4h

Unit 6: Terms of Payment for Goods

4 study hours
  • Discuss the issues involved in the payment terms for domestic goods
  • Explain the related issues of terms of payment for imported goods in different situations
Week
7

Module 2: Purchasing Methods

4h

Unit 7: Modes of Purchase, Receipt and Opening of Tenders

4 study hours
  • Outline and explain in clear terms the various modes of purchase to be adopted in any given transaction
Week
8

Module 2: Purchasing Methods

4h

Unit 8: Purchasing Practice and Methods – (I)

4 study hours
  • State and explain how the need to procure different materials arise
  • Discuss the issues involved in purchasing capital goods, in leasing arrangement, in buying used equipments, and in buying for resale
Week
9

Module 2: Purchasing Methods

4h

Unit 9: Purchasing Practice and Methods – (II)

4 study hours
  • Explain the technicalities of buying for resale
  • Discuss the increasing importance of subcontracting in the purchase of services
  • Outline and explain the issues involved in the purchase of services
Week
10

Module 2: Purchasing Methods

4h

Unit 10: Management of Inventory

4 study hours
  • Highlight various classifications of inventory and the reasons for holding inventory
  • Explain the economic principles behind stock control
  • State and describe different approaches to stock control
Week
11

Module 3: Special Procurements

4h

Unit 11: Negotiated Procurements

4 study hours
  • Define the term Negotiation and clearly states its objectives
  • Comment on time Negotiation is most appropriate and Highlight the requisite position and qualifications of the Negotiator
  • List and Explain the steps involved in the Negotiation process
Week
12

Module 3: Special Procurements

4h

Unit 12: Expediting or Follow-Up of Order

4 study hours
  • Describe the nature of expediting work
  • Explain the expediting process
  • State the characteristic of a good expeditor
Week
13

Module 3: Special Procurements

12h

Unit 13: Buying Internationally

4 study hours
  • Define concept associated with buying internationally
  • List out and explain each of the approaches to international sourcing
  • State the benefits of buying internationally and the problems associated with it.

Unit 14: Managing Purchasing Activities

4 study hours
  • Define planning and apply planning steps to your procurement activities
  • Discuss and state the implications of budgeting and purchasing research activities to the purchasing function.

Unit 15: Delivery Period, Terms of Delivery, Transportation, Transit Insurance, Delay in Supply, Cancellation of Contract

4 study hours
  • Discuss with demonstrable examples, terms and conditions that are associated with delivery, insurance, delay and cancellation of purchased goods

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a detailed study schedule allocating specific time slots for each unit

2

Focus on understanding key definitions and concepts from Units 1-3

3

Practice applying inventory management techniques from Unit 10 using sample data

4

Review case studies related to international sourcing in Unit 13

5

Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 contract law and pricing concepts

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