Procurement & Supply Chain Management

Overview
Develop the skills necessary for a successful career in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.

The MSc in Procurement and Supply Chain Management has been specifically designed for both graduates seeking to enter industry and experienced professionals looking for career development opportunities.

Why Study Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Griffith College?
Our MSc in Procurement and Supply Chain Management is available on a full-time basis over one year in Griffith College Limerick, and on a part-time, two-year period in Griffith College Dublin. It equips students with the specialist skills required for successful careers in the procurement and supply management fields across a broad range of industries.

• Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
• Students will develop their knowledge and skills to understand the holistic view of a business.
• Students will enhance their ability to research current trends and developments in procurement and supply management.
• Winner of the 2019 Excellence in Education & Training award.
• A flexible study model gives students the option of either full-time or part-time study.
• Lecturers with deep industry knowledge of both public and private sector procurement and supply chain management.
• In Limerick: Guest speakers throughout the programme have included Dr. Frankie O'Connell from The University of Surrey, NUIG's Dr. Olivia McDermott, Sarah Blake - CEO Earthology ( Green Procurement), Prashant Kumar Supply Chain consultant and lecturer at UCD, and Grace O'Sullivan Green Party MEP.
• Annual Attendance at the Supply Chain and Procurement Expo.
• Progression: Students gain work experience in exciting companies and have gone on to work in Valeo, Baxter, Amax and Dell Technologies.

Subjects taught

The MSc in Procurement and Supply Chain Management includes the option of a postgraduate diploma in Procurement and Supply Chain Management for learners who complete the 60 ECTS in taught modules and do not wish to complete the MSc dissertation. This course is run part-time at Griffith College Dublin and full-time in Griffith College Limerick.

Stage 1
International Strategy
This module introduces and develops the concepts, perspectives and tools associated with the discipline of strategy formulation and development. It provides conceptual understanding and places the concepts and tools within the complexities of undertaking business in different industrial and market contexts, countries and cultures. As well as providing the learner with a core body of knowledge of strategy, the module aims to go beyond the prescriptive "toolbox" approach to strategy making and develop and instil in the learner an appreciation of the complexities, subtleties and behavioural factors that fundamentally shape what businesses do and why.

Leadership and Management Development
The module examines the role played by global leadership and management in organisations (commercial, public and voluntary) and organisational culture. There are contested and competing views (both in theory and in practice) about both management and leadership: about what they are; and about how leadership affects management.

Technology for Procurement Professionals
This module is divided into two parts. Part 1 introduces the learners to quantitative analysis approaches in logistics and supply chain management. Learners will explore how to use spreadsheets to model various problems in supply chain and logistics management. Part 2 will see the learner investigate how the mainstream supply chain information systems work, how information technology can improve the efficiency of supply chain management, and what are the up-to-date information technology used in logistics and supply chain management to allow for greater visibility, better integration and 'leaner' supply chains in more sustainable systems of control and delivery.

Service and Supply Chain Management
Managing effective and efficient Supply and Service Chains is a crucial element for gaining competitive advantage. This module gives students a comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge of service and supply chain management. It provides insight into the broad range of activities concerned with service management and how it integrates into supply chain management as the intersection between the actual sales and the customer point of view. The module presents models, concepts, and solution methods that are important for the design, control, operation and management of supply and service chains.

Stage 2
Managerial Finance
The aim of this module is for the learner to develop a practical understanding of the role and goals of financial accounting, management accounting and financial management and be able to apply them to business situations. Within the delivery of the module, the lecturer will provide learners with the analytical tools necessary for determining the financial implications of business activities and decisions in an entrepreneurial context. Learners develop skills in the use of a variety of accounting techniques, with particular emphasis on the interpretation of, and use of accounting information for decision making within the organisational context.

Research Methods
Within this module, learners will develop an understanding of the nature, purpose and value of business and commercial research. The learner will be guided on how to conduct a critical literature review using best practice in developing a critical approach. Through the module, workshops will be provided covering the various primary data techniques. Learners develop knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods and understand how these can be usefully employed in carrying out a research dissertation. Learners can make a strong argument and defend their work in a professional manner. Learners are equipped with a well-developed research proposal which will direct their dissertation research.

Sustainable Procurement
The module develops learners' understanding of the concept and initiatives of sustainability which includes corporate social responsibility. This will include the supply chain impact on communities and society, environmental aspects of procurement, ethical trading and working standards. The module looks at the alignment of sustainable goals within the supply chain which has local and global dimensions and developing the area for organisational commitment, procedures, systems and practices.

Category Management
The module develops learners' strategic and critical thinking on how to develop plans to improve competitiveness by the application of systematic approaches to the management of both direct and indirect organisational responsibilities. The module will focus on different approaches and methodologies for strategic category management, demonstrating the role of procurement and supply chain management professionals in leading these approaches.

Electives
Inventory and Operations Management
The module develops learners' strategic and critical thinking and practical understanding of how operational structures, demand management and inventory management contribute to broader organisational efficiency and competitiveness. It connects in with learning in other modules, specifically in supply chain management, sustainable procurement and category management. The module is designed to build the competencies needed to work in a professional environment, together with developing soft skills (namely teamwork, oral and written communication and IT skills).

Logistics and International Trade
The module brings an international perspective that focuses on the interrelationships between logistics, production, distribution and consumption. Most companies operate in an increasingly integrated and complex supply chain, which has required a revolution in how logistics operates at company level. Companies that trade, produce and/or sell all have an increasing interdependency on international logistics.

Research Dissertation
MSc Dissertation
The dissertation involves an in-depth exploration of a specialised area or issue central to procurement and supply chain management. Drawing on substantial, relevant research, literature, concepts and techniques, learners seek to combine theory and practice. Learners are supported as they devise the research question or hypothesis, design and apply an appropriate methodology, critically review relevant literature and draw up the dissertation report and presentation.

Entry requirements

Primary Honours Degree in a business/purchasing/supply management related discipline or a postgraduate related qualification and/or experiential learning. Non-business graduates with substantial work experience may apply but will be subject to interview.

English Language
Proficiency All applicants for whom English is not their native language must provide proof of English language proficiency to a standard of at least 6.5 in IELTS, 575 TOEFL or equivalent.

Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

Accreditation of Prior Learning and Prior Experience (APL/APEL)
The Graduate Business School welcomes applications from those with prior academic and/or professional learning experience which may be relevant to the MSc in International Procurement and Supply Management programme. Applicants who wish for their prior academic and/or professional learning experience to be considered are requested to indicate this at the time of application and we will be happy to examine all of the relevant documentation accordingly.

Academic Achievement Applicants must normally hold an approved honours degree in a business or purchasing/procurement and supply management related discipline or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary or professional institution. Students with or without relevant business management experience are welcome to apply.

Application dates

How to Apply
Applicants can Apply Online Directly.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Post Course Info

Academic Progression
On completion of the Level 9 MSc in International Procurement and Supply Management students may progress onto a range of Level 10 Doctoral programmes on the National Qualifications Framework. The Postgraduate QQI validation means that your qualification is recognised not only in Ireland and Europe but throughout the world.

Career Progression
Through the MSc in International Procurement and Supply Management, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong foundation of communication and presentation skills, and covered a diverse range of topics.