Date: December 6th, 8th, 13th, and 15th
Time: 9:30am – 11:00am
Cost: $1,200 per company (up to 2 people)
Location: Virtual
This course is being offered in partnership with NWIRC sister center DVIRC
Course Overview:
This course provides participants with a high-level knowledge base of and the ‘must have’ processes for
successful execution of inventory & supply chain management. Participants will learn the components that
come into play and understand how to link them to their company’s strategic, operating, and tactical plans.
The course will incorporate examples of how real small businesses have applied these processes. Participants
will also learn methods of sales and capacity management, inventory planning and supplier scouting and
screening techniques to meet customer expectations and financial obligations.
The DVIRC Difference
This program is the first and only of its kind, designed exclusively to help small manufacturers (SMMs)
navigate increasing supply chain challenges. Additionally, participants will have access to leading supply chain
and manufacturing experts who have executed these strategies in numerous organizations. Our instructors all
have unique backgrounds and strong experience in manufacturing and distribution with both large and small
companies. Our instructors will share best practices for those looking to make real-time adjustments they
can control to offset current disruptions and supply chain issues. Between sessions, attendees will be able to
schedule coaching support with Eric, Chris and Sylvia to turn this curriculum into real-world application.
What You’ll Learn
This course will help participants to:
• Articulate and understand the components of supply chain planning
• Understand and apply the principles of demand & capacity planning
• Learn to how to create risk & cost-based controls for effective inventory management
• Experience creating and using inventory & supply chain key performance indicators
• Perform supply chain mapping
• Learn best practice Supplier Scouting techniques
• Learn what implementing a formal Inventory Management and Supply Chain program entails
Benefits:
Participants will benefit by learning how to protect key customers, anticipate supplier issues, and manage
inventory cash flow impacts.
Additional benefits:
• This will be a highly interactive experience with subject matter expert-led lessons and
corresponding manufacturing-based case studies
• You’ll be provided a supporting workbook complete with exercises, tools and one-on-one
coaching sessions that enable you to design and implement a strategy as unique as your business
• Three 90-minute one-on-one coaching sessions
• Allotted time for sharing of individual successes, concerns, failures, and opportunities related to your business.
During these exchanges, tactics and best practices will be shared to help make the most of a given situation
• This program takes a “learn today, apply today” approach to drive dramatic improvements in your business
Who Should Take This Course:
Individuals who are responsible for planning, purchasing, inventory control, or operations functions.
Course Curriculum
Session 1: 12/06/22 9:30 am – 11:00 am, Virtual
• Supply Chain Management (SCM) principles and key processes
• Demand planning and customer management
• Operations and production planning
• Inventory programs and strategies
Session 2: 12/08/22 9:30 am – 11:00 am, Virtual
• Supplier management and procurement best practices
• Knowing your constraints and risk factors
• Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) program
• Case study and attendee assignment
Session 3: 12/13/22 9:30 am – 11:00 am, Virtual
• How to benchmark Suppliers
• Where and How to Research New Potential Suppliers
• Exploring Alternative Supply Chain Options
• Setting Up Vetting Criteria/Scoring Standards
• The “Right Way” to Interview Suppliers
Session 4: 12/15/22 9:30 am – 11:00 am, Virtual
• Connecting the dots between Finance and Strategic Planning
• Performance measurement and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Getting the organization and stakeholders on-board
• Assignment report-out
About the Presenter:
Instructors:
Nico de Sousa– Lean/CI Content Expert, DVIRC
Nico de Sousa is the Lean/CI Content Expert for DVIRC where he is responsible for facilitating organizational continuous
improvement efforts, implementing Lean methodologies, teaching Supply Chain best practices, and creating Lean/CI
content. Nico brings with him a strong background and expertise in Supply Chain and he has extensive experience in process improvement and Lean philosophy implementation, having driven many initiatives on manufacturing plant floor settings.
Chris Scafario – Chief Operating Officer, DVIRC
Chris Scafario is the Chief Operating Officer at DVIRC. Working in Philadelphia and across the nation’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Chris supports the advancement of small to mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) and their supply chain through leading the design, implementation of best practices to drive overall competitiveness. As a co-creator and national advocate for supply chain optimization, Chris will help to host DVIRC’s Supply Chain 101.
Sylvia Wower
Vice President, Research and Strategic Growth
Sylvia Wower is the Vice President of Research and Strategic Growth at DVIRC, where she manages the company’s
market development department group which includes DVIRC’s market research, market scouting, and lead generation
teams. Realizing the need to formalize a supplier scouting and validation process, Sylvia has unpacked the essentials every company should know with regards to identifying a new link in their supply chain.
