Business - Supply Chain and Operations BLS3

Holland Code: E (Enterprising)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see the website for details.

Arts & Literacy High school courses in Business Studies or Business and Technological Communication would be beneficial.

Math & Science Prospective students should enjoy math and have a solid high school background in math. Grade 12 high school Math would be beneficial, but grade 11 math is accepted.

Applicants who do not have a math background should consider the one-year Business Fundamentals program.  This program is recommended for students who require or desire academic upgrading, particularly in Mathematics and English, before pursuing a business diploma program. Students who complete the Business Fundamentals program may be eligible for admission to Level 2 of any two-year business diploma program at Fanshawe College.

Technology Basic computer skills required (Microsoft Office, email, Internet).

Group Work The course work involves a substantial amount of group work.

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Take a methodical approach to their work
• The ability to retain detailed information
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good organizational skills
• The ability to work with many different people
• The ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Customer service skills
• The ability to adapt to a changing environment
• Time management skills
• Project management skills

Useful background experience for this program would be

Experience in a secondary school business club or Junior Achievement and/or part-time work experience.

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Buyer, purchasing assistant, purchasing officer/agent, procurement coordinator/ specialist, logistics coordinator, logistics dispatcher, inventory specialist, shipper/receiver, transportation planner, transportation scheduler, warehouse supervisor, operations coordinator, inventory analyst, or purchasing agent.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Usually, work regular weekday hours in a comfortable office environment
• Travel, meeting deadlines or taking inventory may require working long or irregular hours
• Working in teams on projects

Places you may find yourself employed include

Manufacturing, health care, education, transportation, construction, government, or service organizations

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

Retail/Wholesale buyer

• Review their store's supply requirements and determine the quantity and type of merchandise to purchase
• Locate and network with vendors and suppliers
• Negotiate prices and quantities and closeout purchases
• Organize the transportation of purchases to central warehouses
• In small organizations, oversee the distribution of merchandise to stores and manage inventory levels
• Maintain close knowledge of the store's customers and their buying habits
• Analyze historical and current data related to regular, promotional and seasonal supply and demand trends
• Ensure quality control of purchased merchandise
• Analyze product performance and return on investment (ROI)

Purchasing agent

• Consult with other departments in the organization to determine goods (i.e. equipment, office supplies) and services requirements
• Develop strategic purchasing programs that consolidate company spending for specific commodities
• Oversee the process of issuing requests for information and proposals, and tendering contracts to ensure that the process is fair, competitive, legal and provides the best value for the organization
• Analyze proposals or tenders
• Purchase the right quality and quantity, at the right time and price, from the best possible source
• Administer contracts for the supply of goods, services and space
• Trace shipments, follow up on undelivered goods and resolve problems and disputes
• Arrange the payment of duty and freight charges
• Prepare and administer budgets and contracts

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

Professional Credentials and Affiliations associated with this program

• Graduates may receive partial credit for supply chain management professional designation
• National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP)
• Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA)
• Logistics Institute
• The Association for Operations Management (APICS)
• Institute for Supply Management (ISM)

Opportunities for further development or education

• Students in this program have the opportunity to spend one semester abroad in countries in South America or Europe.
• Graduates may apply to one of the following Fanshawe graduate certificate programs: Logistics and Supply Chain Management; International Business Management; Human Resources Management; Professional Financial Services; Project Management; or Marketing Management
• Course work may be used as a basis of university admission or credits may transfer to a university degree at many different schools. More information online.

Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.  You may also wish to explore the Fanshawe Graduate Employment Outcomes Report and the Employment Profile of Ontario College Graduates.

Last Modified: August 21, 2024