Supply Chain Distribution Education and Training

Finding education and training opportunities for distribution in supply chain management

By Kim Finn
Depending on where you work in the supply and distribution chain, various supply chain distribution education and training programs will help you and your management staff excel at your core business, grow your business and ultimately improve your bottom line. During tough economic times, everyone's fighting for the next contract, and you've got to have something that sets you apart from the competition if you're going to succeed.

One of the top dangers facing those in the distribution supply industry comes in the form of status quo. You can't get ahead in the industry without continually striving to achieve more through training and education. This guide focuses on different venues for supply chain distribution education and training:

1. Training courses and other educational programs in supply chain management for distributors.

2. Certification and degree programs useful to those in supply chain distribution.

3. Conferences and trade shows beneficial to those in distribution-supply.

 

Participate in training courses and other educational programs for distribution supply

Top distribution and supply chain management officials need courses and programs that help them see the big picture in the supply and distribution industry.
Try: Contact Buker, a management education and consulting company that first opened its doors in 1979, to schedule the company's two-day Distribution Resource Planning Training program onsite at your location. Topics for the training program include business strategy, management planning, supplier partnerships, performance measurement and benchmarking, steps to world-class distribution and more. Daniel Penn Associates, a management consultant firm, offers supply chain and distribution classes to assist in your professional development. The courses cover the chain of distribution and tackle topics like corporate safety leadership, stronger shipper-carrier relationships, freight claims, making the most of warehousing technology, operations asset management planning and scheduling, bulk packaging and distribution, transportation law and warehousing. Bookmark the Modern Distribution Management website to view educational webcasts dealing with current supply distribution issues.

Pursue certification and degree programs for those in distribution and supply chain management

Supply chain certification and degree programs go a long way toward enhancing professional competence, capability and expertise.
Try: Click on the links to learn more about the certifications in supply chain management offered through Supply Chain Education, a provider of online supply chain distribution education. Read more about the Certified Professional in Supply Management Program offered through the Institute for Supply Management. ISM ranks as the largest supply management association in the world, includes more than 40,000 members and offers many professional development and educational opportunities. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Business/Integrated Supply Chain and Operations Management online through the University of Phoenix.

Attend supply distribution conferences and trade shows

Managers and decision makers for distribution in supply chain organizations will definitely benefit from attending and participating in conferences and trade shows. These events assist in the professional development of supply chain management (SCM) through increased networking opportunities and educational seminars and workshops.
Try: As supply chain and distribution managers and decision makers, make your reservations to attend the Supply Chain Leaders in Action Conference. Presented by Distribution Business Management Association, the three-day conference offers panel discussions, interactive sessions, super sessions and lab super sessions to provide supply chain distributors and other supply chain professionals with a complete picture of the industry. Bookmark the Material Handling Industry of America Tradeshows page to get current information about upcoming shows relative to distribution SCM.

 

  • As a supply chain distributor, go after certification programs that will help you advance your company and your career. Don't shy away from a strong certification program because you can't complete all aspects of the program online. Some programs will use testing centers throughout the country for convenience to certification applicants, while others allow applicants to test onsite at their own workplace using a qualified proctor.