Technological University Dublin - City Campus

Supply Chain Management - Conversion Programme

Introduction
Supply chain management (SCM) and logistics are critical success factors as Ireland attempts to build an export-driven economic recovery. Despite the continuing economic challenges, there continues to be strong demand in the market place for suitably qualified SCM professionals. NITL's full-time and executive postgraduate programme provide an ideal opportunity for graduates from a wide variety of disciplines to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to build a career in this exciting and rapidly developing field. Supply chain managers play a critical role in all main sectors in the economy including life sciences, electronics and IT, food and drink, third-party logistics (3PL) and retail, as well as in many parts of the public sector. NITL's programmes provide a solid grounding in all aspects of SCM based on the principles of world class practice and relevant to the evolving needs of business in Ireland.

There is a growing recognition of the importance of logistics and supply chain management issues in companies in Ireland and internationally. The necessary improvements cannot be achieved without properly educated and trained "supply chain professionals". Supply Chain Management is concerned with the effective management of all aspects of the supply chain. It involves the adoption of a holistic approach to the management of functions such as purchasing, operations, transport and warehousing. To successfully implement Supply Chain Management, the NITL(National Institute for Transport and Logistics) Supply Chain Management Executive Masters programme provides training and education of a high academic standard and relevant to modern industry. The programme is aimed at the 'high-flyers' who will be the world-class managers of the future.

The aim of the programme is to develop the leaders of change and business improvement in manufacturing, process, transport and logistics service companies. It achieves this through broad-based vocational postgraduate education, providing a thorough understanding of the key elements of logistics, technology, operational management and business. The overall learning outcomes of the programme are to:

- Provide participants with a detailed knowledge of the theory and practice of Supply Chain Management;

- Develop graduate-level staff from all functions to initiate and manage multi-discipline teamwork aimed at radical improvements in supply chain capability;

- Prepare graduates of all disciplines for upward job mobility; and

- Provide personal development opportunities for staff in parallel with their meeting job requirements.

Course Content
The modules on 'Logistics' provide a detailed understanding of all aspects of Supply Chain Management philosophy and operational practice. The 'Tools and Technology' modules address the role of technology, in particular IT in facilitating business improvements. The modules on Supply Chain Management Skills cover all aspects of operational management including quality as well as providing an understanding of the main issues involved in people management. It is imperative that participants appreciate the role of logistics and Supply Chain Management in the context of the overall business. The programme modules on 'Business Context' address this requirement. There are currently over twenty modules available. Modules are added regularly to meet the requirements of partner companies.

Entry requirements

Participants are bachelor degree holders in any discipline (2.2 grade or higher) or equivalent.

Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate programmes satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the programme of study applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview for specific programmes.

Who Should Apply?

CONVERSION PROGRAMME
Participants are either graduates of Level 8 programmes (or equivalent) in any relevant discipline. The programme is ideal for either graduates of supply chain specific programmes (e.g. DIT's B.Sc. in Logistics and SCM, IIPMM's BBus in Business, Procurement and Supply Management) who wish to build upon the knowledge acquired at undergraduate level or as a conversion programme for graduates from other relevant disciplines. There is an exceptional entry mechanism for individuals who do not hold the necessary academic entry requirements but who have extensive relevant practical experience in one or more aspects of SCM. All applicants are expected to have relevant work experience, and to fit the profile of a manager or technical professional needing balanced logistics, technological, operational management and business capabilities. The MSc is relevant to businesses of every kind and size.

Duration

Up to 3 years Part-time

Careers or further progression

Career Opportunities
Armed with the Masters qualification graduates of this programme will make a significantly enhanced contribution to their organisations. In addition, the Executive Masters programme recognises that graduate progression to senior management can be accelerated by a broad-based vocational postgraduate programme which develops a thorough understanding of all facets of Supply Chain Management.

Supply chain management (SCM) and logistics are critical success factors as Ireland attempts to build an export-driven economic recovery. Despite the continuing economic challenges, there continues to be strong demand in the market place for suitably qualified SCM professionals. NITL's full-time and executive postgraduate programme provide an ideal opportunity for graduates from a wide variety of disciplines to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to build a career in this exciting and rapidly developing field. Supply chain managers play a critical role in all main sectors in the economy including life sciences, electronics and IT, food and drink, third-party logistics (3PL) and retail, as well as in many parts of the public sector. NITL's programmes provide a solid grounding in all aspects of SCM based on the principles of world class practice and relevant to the evolving needs of business in Ireland.

Further enquiries

Eoin Plant
Mechanical and Transport Engineering
College of Engineering & Built Environment
NITL,
Henrietta Place,
Bolton Street,
Dublin 1.

Phone number: +353 1 402 2962
Email: eoin.plant@dit.ie

Pamela O'Brien
Programme Manager
National Institute for Logistics and Transport
Room 336,
DIT, Bolton Street, Dublin 1.

Phone number: +353 1 402 3898
Email: Pamela.OBrien@dit.ie

Subjects taught

Logistics:
Introduction to Supply Chain Management
Inventory Management
Partnerships in SCM
Purchasing Management
Transport and Distribution Management
Understanding Customer Service
Warehouse Management
Outsourcing

Tools and Technology:
IT in the Supply Chain
Management of Information Systems
Project Planning, Management and Control
Quantitative Modelling
Simulation of Supply Chains

Supply Chain Management Skills:
Analysing Organisations
Change Management and Organisation Development
Human Resource Management in the Supply Chain
Managing People

Business Context:
Business Strategy
Essential Finance for Supply Chain Managers
International Supply Chain Design
Manufacturing Strategy and Operations
Marketing and Supply Chain Integration
Sustainable Supply Chain Design and Operations

Comment

Location
DIT, Bolton Street, Dublin 1

Qualification Awarded: Successful participants are eligible for the award of MSc in Supply Chain Management of the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Timetable / Hours

It is a part-time modular programme designed specifically to meet the needs of busy graduates and other professionals. All modules are of 40 hours duration and take place on two consecutive "weekends" – Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday. Each subject is delivered as a discrete module and by putting together a set of these modules, the precise content of an individual's programme is tailored according to their requirements and/or the company's needs. Participants will attend a minimum of 9 modules and complete the related assignments and a project, leading to a dissertation, over the duration of the programme (usually up to 3 years).

All modules are delivered by a mix of professional trainers, academics, consultants and practitioners. Modules are categorised into logistics, tools and technology, Supply Chain Management skills and business context.

The structure is based around intensive 40 hour modules. NITL also recognises that for learning to be really effective mechanisms must exist for transfer of knowledge and skills from the classroom environment into the real business environment. There is a strong emphasis on work-based assignments and projects. Finally, module design, delivery and assessment is carried out jointly with partner-companies in line with NITL`s guiding principle of partnership. This ensures that all programme modules are based on world-class best practice as well as being relevant to the real needs of companies.

Assessment method

Module assessment is based on post-module assignments, which are normally submitted within 8 weeks of the end of a module. In addition, participants are required to complete a major company-based project. As well as providing evidence of participants' understanding of a subject, the assessment process is designed to help them transfer learning back to the workplace, and to provide real benefits to the company. Participants who successfully complete 9 modules and the major project and associated dissertation within three years are eligible for an MSc in Supply Chain Management of the Dublin Institute of Technology.