Requirements and units for Diploma in supply chain management

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A diploma in supply chain management is a course that will equip graduates with skills to perform supply chain management as a middle-level manager in a business enterprise.

The course entails applications of purchasing principles, solving stock and store problems, and integrating procedures and processes related to supply chain management.

In Kenya, supply chain management is offered at both universities and TVET institutions. Some of the universities that offer Bachelor related to supply chain management are.

  1. Strathmore University: Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain & Operations Management
  2. Karatina University: Bachelor of Procurement and Supply Chain Management
  3. UON: Master Of Science In Supply Chain Management
  4. KCA Univesity: Bachelor Of Procurement And Logistics
  5. JKUAT: Bachelor of Purchasing & Supplies Management

The objective of the supply chain management course

By the end of this Diploma in supply chain management, the trainee is expected to be able to do the following.

  1. Explain the role played by a supply chain manager in an organization.
  2. Apply supply chain management skills principles in the field.
  3. Describe the use of tools of analysis in decision-making in supply chain management.
  4. Communicate effectively about carrying out supply chain activities.
  5. Acknowledge the impact of supply chain management on economic development.

The entry requirement for a Diploma in supply chain management

Being a Diploma course those who wish to join the course in any TVET institution will require a minimum KCSE grade of C-. 

Those who have done a Craft certificate in supply chain management and passed can proceed to a diploma level. Depending on your performance at the craft level you can request KNEC to exempt you from some units. When exempted you will be admitted to module 2 of the diploma instead of module 1.

Diploma in supply chain management KNEC units

For the diploma KNEC program, the course is divided into 3 modules/levels which are supposed to take 3 years. The student does the unit in each module and sits for the KNEC exam for those specific units before proceeding to the next level.

If you fail 3 units among all your units per module, KNEC considers it as FAIL and you have to repeat all units in that module. When you fail 1 or 2 units you are allowed to proceed to the next level but you must repeat the failed unit and pass before you are Certified by KNEC.

For the Diploma in Supply Chain Management course, the following are the units that you are required to cover to be certified.

Diploma in supply chain management module 1 units

  1. Communication skills.
  2. Entrepreneurship.
  3. Life skills
  4. Information Communication Technology
  5. Financial Accounting
  6. Economics
  7. Supply Chain Management and Purchasing Principles
  8. Warehousing and Operations and Stock Control
  9. Elements of Law
  10. Business Finance
  11. Office Organization

After modules 1 and 2 students are expected to go for an industrial attachment which is a requirement of the course. Students can be attached to any that manages stores or warehouses. This means just like business management students these can also be attached to any business enterprise.

Supply chain management Module 2 units

  1. Public Procurement and Finance
  2. Cost Accounting
  3. Principles and Practices of Marketing
  4. Supply Management
  5. Purchasing Management
  6. Quantitive Techniques
  7. Office Administration and Management
  8. Business Plan

Module 3 units in supply chain management

  1. Managerial Accounting
  2. Operations Management
  3. Project and Contract Management
  4. International Purchasing
  5. Managerial Accounting
  6. Principles and Practice of Management
  7. Research Methods
  8. Research Project

Career Progression in Supply Chain Management

After you have done the diploma in Supply Chain course you will have enough knowledge to manage supply chain activities in any business enterprise.

Students can progress to a Bachelor’s degree related to supply chain management such as:

  1. BSc Supply Chain Management
  2. BSc Supply Chain Operations Management
  3. BSc Supply Chain Management and Logistics

Supply chain prospect employment opportunities

With a Diploma in supply chain management, you can be employed to manage stores, procurement processes, and supply chain activities. Other job opportunities in the field include. 

  1. Supply chain officer
  2. Procurement Officer
  3. Store clerk/keeper
  4. Assistant supply chain manager
  5. Operations Manager
  6. Assistant procurement manager
  7. Purchasing manager
  8. Logistics manager

For self-employment, you can start a consulting company on issues of logistics, preparing tender and quotation documents, and advising companies on the Procurement Act and its requirements among others.

For employment opportunities, you can go to private or government institutions. The employment opportunities in supply chain management are procurement officer, store clerk, logistic officer, operation manager, logistics manager, and warehouse manager among others.