The "Techniques for Inventory Control and Materials Management" course is designed to provide participants with the essential skills and knowledge required to manage inventory and materials efficiently in a modern supply chain environment. Effective inventory control and materials management are critical to minimizing costs, optimizing stock levels, and ensuring smooth operations.

The course begins with an introduction to the basic principles of inventory control and materials management, emphasizing their importance in supply chain management. Participants will explore the different types of inventory, including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, as well as various inventory management systems.

Key inventory control techniques such as the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model, Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory management, and ABC analysis will be covered. These techniques will help participants optimize their stock levels and reduce carrying costs.

Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) will be introduced, providing participants with the knowledge to plan and schedule materials efficiently to meet production demands. This is crucial for ensuring that materials are available when needed without overstocking.

Participants will also learn how to calculate reorder points and determine safety stock levels. These calculations are critical for maintaining optimal inventory levels and avoiding stockouts or overstock situations.

Inventory valuation methods, such as FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average, will be discussed, highlighting how these methods impact financial reporting and decision-making in inventory management.

The course will also focus on best practices for warehouse operations and materials handling, with a particular emphasis on using modern technologies such as barcode scanning and RFID to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Cost reduction techniques for inventory management will be explored, including strategies for minimizing carrying costs, ordering costs, and stock-out costs. Participants will learn how to strike a balance between inventory investment and customer demand.

Performance measurement is essential for continuous improvement in inventory processes. Participants will discover key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the effectiveness of inventory control and materials management, and learn how to implement continuous improvement practices.

The course will also explore the role of technology and automation in modern inventory control, including ERP systems and emerging technologies such as IoT and AI that are revolutionizing the way inventory is managed.

Objectives:

1. Understand Inventory Control and Materials Management:

   • Grasp the basic principles and importance of inventory control and materials management in supply chains.

2. Learn Key Inventory Control Techniques:

   • Apply inventory control techniques such as EOQ, JIT, and ABC analysis to optimize stock levels.

3. Master Reorder Point and Safety Stock Calculations:

   • Learn to calculate reorder points and set safety stock levels to maintain optimal inventory.

4. Implement MRP for Materials Management:

   • Use Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) to plan and schedule materials effectively.

5. Apply Inventory Valuation Methods:

   • Understand the impact of inventory valuation methods like FIFO and LIFO on financial decisions.

6. Optimize Warehouse and Materials Handling:

   • Implement best practices and technologies for efficient warehouse operations and materials handling.

7. Minimize Inventory Costs:

   • Learn techniques to reduce inventory-related costs and balance investment with demand.

8. Measure Performance in Inventory Control:

   • Utilize KPIs to evaluate inventory control effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

9. Explore Technology and Automation:

   • Investigate the role of technology and automation in modern inventory control and materials management.

Target Group:

• Inventory Control Specialists: Professionals responsible for managing stock levels and inventory control looking to refine their skills.

• Materials Managers: Individuals overseeing materials handling and management who want to improve their operational efficiency.

• Warehouse Managers: Professionals managing warehouse operations who aim to optimize stock management and reduce costs.

• Supply Chain Managers: Professionals involved in the overall supply chain management seeking to enhance their understanding of inventory and materials management.

• Procurement Managers: Individuals responsible for procurement processes who want to ensure that stock levels align with organizational needs.

• Students and Graduates: Individuals pursuing careers in logistics, supply chain management, or business administration eager to learn the latest techniques in inventory control and materials management.

• Introduction to Inventory Control and Materials Management

  • Overview of inventory control and materials management
  • Importance of effective inventory and materials management in the supply chain

• Types of Inventory and Inventory Management Systems

  • Different types of inventory (raw materials, work-in-progress, finished goods)
  • Inventory management systems: periodic vs. perpetual

• Key Techniques for Inventory Control

  • Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model
  • Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory management
  • ABC analysis for inventory categorization

• Materials Requirements Planning (MRP)

  • Introduction to MRP and its role in materials management
  • Planning and scheduling materials to meet production demands

• Reorder Point (ROP) and Safety Stock

  • Calculating reorder points and determining safety stock levels
  • Ensuring optimal stock levels to prevent stockouts and overstocking

• Inventory Valuation Methods

  • FIFO (First In, First Out) vs. LIFO (Last In, First Out) vs. Weighted Average
  • Impact of valuation methods on financial reporting and decision-making

• Warehouse and Materials Handling Techniques

  • Best practices for materials storage and handling
  • Technologies for improving warehouse operations (e.g., barcode scanning, RFID)

• Minimizing Inventory Costs

  • Techniques for reducing carrying costs, ordering costs, and stock-out costs
  • Balancing inventory investment and customer demand

• Performance Measurement in Inventory Control

  • Key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating inventory control and materials management effectiveness
  • Techniques for continuous improvement in inventory processes

• Technology and Automation in Inventory Control

  • Role of automation and software in modern inventory control (e.g., ERP systems)
  • Exploring emerging technologies such as IoT and AI for inventory optimization