Supply Chain Management Overview (Previously Operations Management)
Students who are thinking about majoring in supply chain management (previous to May 2021 - operations management) should consider the following questions:
- What is the most efficient way to transport an online purchase to a consumer?
- How much inventory should a business keep?
- How can organizations use data analytics to improve their processes?
- Can resources be allocated better?
These are some of the common questions students majoring in supply chain management are concerned with solving.
Supply Chain Management is delivery-focused, coordinating the end-to-end flow of an organization’s goods, information and money, and ensuring that an organization successfully turns inputs to outputs in an efficient manner.
The major prepares students to deal with the management of all activities directly related to the design and delivery of services, manufacturing and production of goods, and management of supply chains. Supply Chain Management professionals are detail-oriented and constantly think about how to make processes more efficient.
The supply chain management major requires 21 credit units with 2 required major courses (6 credit units) and 5 elective major courses (15 credit units). Required courses are in COMM 491.3 Purchasing and Supply Management and COMM 495.3 Supply Chain Management. Choose from a variety of electives in business analytics, modeling, forecasting, TQM, project management and logistics management.
To view the current degree requirements visit the USask programs page.
Featured Classes
COMM 393 - Spreadsheet Modeling for Business Decisions
Deals with modelling business problems to help managers make better decisions regardless of their functional areas. It introduces students to analytical decision making tools including linear programming, integer programming, network models, decision analysis and simulation. Spreadsheets will be extensively used for solving managerial problems.
COMM 495 - Supply Chain Management & E-Commerce
Supply chain management and business logistics deal with the physical distribution of goods and services. Today's heavy dependence on the internet and E-commerce has made supply chain management central to business strategic planning. Supply chain management and logistics include the managing of acquisition, transportation, materials storage and handling, production scheduling, order processing, warehousing, and distribution both internally and among suppliers and customers. Today this planning must also take into account the internet and the distribution of goods and services electronically. Thus, the focus of this course is on the planning and control of both physical and electronic distribution systems. The required planning and analysis will make use of the different computer models and E-commerce options.
Careers in Operations Management
Careers Opportunities
Operations management graduates are very influential in the business world. When it comes to deciding how to produce a certain automobile or ordering the right amount of product, they are the ones in charge. There are job opportunities in areas such as distribution and logistics, purchasing, quality assurance, inventory control and warehousing.
Students on their co-op placement and recent graduates have held positions like:
- Business Forecaster
- Buyer
- Logistics Manager
- Quality Control Manager
- Project Manager
Professional Organizations
Looking to gain mentorship and add to your educational experience? Connect with a professional organization in operations management like:
