Global Supply Chain Management Program

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Course Dates
LAST DAY TO ENROLL

Course Duration

DURATION

6 weeks, online
4-6 hours per week

Course Fee
Course Fee

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Overview

An effective supply chain plays a critical role in the success of any business. In today’s highly competitive marketplace, a well-managed global supply chain can be the key advantage that helps win and retain customers. Therefore, it becomes crucial to develop a key understanding of how supply chains can be developed and maintained to not only optimize operational efficiency but also safeguard the business from sudden risks and challenges.

3 in 4

CEOs are digitizing their supply chains, using advances in technology to expand the frontier of sustainability.

Source: Accenture

64%

of supply chain executives report the pace of digital transformation is accelerating.

Source: Accenture

49%

of CEOs report companies are coping with supply chain disruptions as a result of extreme weather occurrences.

Source: Accenture

Wharton's six-week online Global Supply Chain Management Program provides a comprehensive understanding of today's global supply chain challenges. Participants will learn how supply chains have reacted to global stresses and develop an action plan to reimagine the current global supply chain based on identified opportunities for improvement. Wharton's world-renowned faculty provides expert instruction regarding the frameworks, skills, and capabilities required to coordinate and integrate global logistics, purchasing, operations, and market channel strategies — and do so in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible.

Program Topics

This six-week program includes the following modules:

Module 1:

Reviewing the Global Supply Chain Management Landscape

Learn about the role and impact of the global supply chain, as well as how to evaluate the operational efficiency of an organization's supply chain using a strategic framework.

Module 2:

Optimizing Supply Chain Roles and Relationships

Participate in a simulation activity called the Root Beer Game that examines supply chain roles and functions through a phenomenon known as the bullwhip effect.

Module 3:

Managing Global Sourcing

Examine current trends and challenges in global sourcing and apply what you've learned through key sourcing decisions based on a case study.

Module 4:

Global Supply Chain Risk

Use a risk management framework and maturity model to assess and mitigate supply chain risks in global organizations.

Module 5:

Managing a Socially and Environmentally Responsible Global Supply Chain

Through interviews with industry experts, learn best practices for managing a global supply chain that is socially and environmentally responsible.

Module 6:

Digital Trends in Global Supply Chain Management

Explore the latest technical developments in global supply chain operations, including an analytics framework that can transform an organization's digital capabilities.

Module 1:

Reviewing the Global Supply Chain Management Landscape

Learn about the role and impact of the global supply chain, as well as how to evaluate the operational efficiency of an organization's supply chain using a strategic framework.

Module 4:

Global Supply Chain Risk

Use a risk management framework and maturity model to assess and mitigate supply chain risks in global organizations.

Module 2:

Optimizing Supply Chain Roles and Relationships

Participate in a simulation activity called the Root Beer Game that examines supply chain roles and functions through a phenomenon known as the bullwhip effect.

Module 5:

Managing a Socially and Environmentally Responsible Global Supply Chain

Through interviews with industry experts, learn best practices for managing a global supply chain that is socially and environmentally responsible.

Module 3:

Managing Global Sourcing

Examine current trends and challenges in global sourcing and apply what you've learned through key sourcing decisions based on a case study.

Module 6:

Digital Trends in Global Supply Chain Management

Explore the latest technical developments in global supply chain operations, including an analytics framework that can transform an organization's digital capabilities.

Who Is This Program For?

The Global Supply Chain Management Program is designed to provide fresh insights into a rapidly changing supply chain ecosystem—and help translate those insights into action. This course is for people who:

  • Seek to identify trends, new avenues, and opportunities to reinvent your organization's present global supply chain management
  • Are interested in learning the competitive advantages of socially and environmentally sustainable supply chains and incorporating them into their corporate strategies
  • Want to adopt an analytical approach to improving supply chain efficiency and creating better business output
  • Are looking to bring about a digital transformation in their organization's supply chain management techniques and processes

Program Features

Decorative image relating to the Root Beer Game

Root Beer Game

Decorative image relating to the Risk Management Maturity Model

Risk Management Maturity Model

Decorative image relating to the Decision Tree Model

Decision Tree Model

Decorative image relating to the Strategic Fit Framework

Strategic Fit Framework

Decorative image relating to the Global Supply Chain Analytics Framework

Global Supply Chain Analytics Framework

Case Studies

Global Supply Chain Management Program draws on real-world case studies to illustrate how organizations are actually meeting the challenges of a volatile, interconnected global supply chain.

Featured case studies include:

Decorative image relating to the apparel brand Zara

Zara

This apparel retailer resolved supply chain challenges that resulted from integrating ecommerce with its traditional sales channels.

Decorative image relating to the Swedish-Swiss multinational food packaging and processing company, Tetra Pak

Tetra Pak

This packaging supplier and equipment vendor made supply chain digitalization a key component of its digital transformation program.

Decorative image relating to the company SolarBack

SolarBack

This global company solved sourcing challenges involving innovative photovoltaics for its product line.

Program Experience

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Live Sessions

Gauge your progress with a live faculty check-in.

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Guest Speakers

Hear from global experts on today's most pressing supply chain challenges.

Decorative image relating to peer learning feedback

Discussions

Exchange insights with other participants each week and apply what you've learned to real-world scenarios.

Decorative image depicting a industry examples relating to case studies

Industry Examples

Examine case studies of how successful organizations are adapting to an ever-changing global supply chain.

Decorative image relating to the polls assgined in modules

Polls

Get a panoramic view of the perspectives, assumptions, and pain points that fellow participants are experiencing.

Decorative image relating to the high interactivity of the modules inclusing activities such as, Root Beer Game

Simulations

Gain insights into supply chain dynamics by playing the Root Beer Game.

Program Faculty

Gad Allion

Gad Allon

Jeffrey A. Keswin Professor; Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions; Director, Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, the Wharton School

Gad Allon teaches courses on scaling operations and operations strategy and has been an innovative leader in many educational technology initiatives. He is the co-founder of ForClass, a platform that enables professors to drive higher student engagement and accountability in their classrooms... More info

Santiago Gallino

Santiago Gallino

Charles W. Evans Distinguished Faculty Scholar; Associate Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School

Santiago Gallino studies both digital transformation and supply chain issues in retail. Professor Gallino has researched with and consulted for numerous organizations. In his research, he uses field data and econometric tools to study existing supply chain practices as well as operational improvements... More info

Guest Speakers

Jun Li

Jun Li

Associate Professor of Technology and Operations; Michael R. and Mary Kay Hallman Fellow, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Jun Li is an associate professor of technology and operations at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. She conducts research on empirical operations management and business analytics, spanning revenue management and pricing, health care management, supply chain risks, corporate social responsibility, and public sector operations. Professor Li specializes in causal inferences and structural estimation and in integrating economic modeling with statistical inferences. She has worked closely with airlines, hotels, retailers, and marketplace platforms to analyze user data and implement new pricing or inventory strategies. She holds a PhD in managerial economics and management science from Wharton and a bachelor's degree in operations research and industrial engineering from Tsinghua University, China.

Doug Freeman

Doug Freeman

Outdoor Industry and Apparel Expert

Doug Freeman has more than 30 years of experience in global supply chain operations management. He served as Sourcing Manager, Asia, at Patagonia before becoming the organization's chief operating officer, a role he held for almost 15 years.

Earlier in his career, Doug was the vice president of production and sourcing at Sport Obermeyer, sourcing director at the North Face, and sourcing manager at Nautica. He received a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of California, Berkeley.

Edwin Keh

Edwin Keh

CEO, the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel

In his 10 years as head of this prestigious global institution, Edwin has focused on bringing innovation and sustainability to supply chain management. His goal is to help the textiles and apparel industry transition from the industrial age to the knowledge age.

Before joining the institute, Edwin spent two years as the senior vice president and chief operating officer of global procurement at Walmart. He is a lecturer at the Wharton School, focusing on global supply chain operations, sustainability, and decision-making frameworks.

Pernille Spiers-Lopez

Pernille Spiers-Lopez

International Corporate and Nonprofit Leader; Co-Founder of Good Life Designed

An international business leader with more than 20 years of experience, Pernille is the author of Design Your Life, a book that encourages people to challenge assumptions about success. Pernille, a native of Denmark, is the former president and CEO of IKEA North America. She currently serves as a corporate director for both Meijer and ECCO Shoes, the board chair at Homeboy Industries, and a board member at BurnAlong. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Danmarks Journalisthøjskole.

Certificate

Certificate

Get recognized! Upon successful completion of the program, the Wharton School grants a verified digital certificate of completion to participants.

Download Brochure

Note: After successful completion of the online program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School. This online certificate program does not grant academic credit or a degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Explore other recommended programs from Wharton Executive Education

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FAQs

  • How do I know if this program is right for me?

    After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.


    Are there any prerequisites for this program?

    Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.


    Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.


    What is the typical class profile?

    More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.


    What other dates will this program be offered in the future?

    Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.

  • How much time is required each week?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.


    How will my time be spent?

    We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:



    • Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
    • Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule
    • Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
    • Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
    • Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
    • Completing your final project, if required

    The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.


    What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

    More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

    All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

    A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.


    How do I interact with other program participants?

    Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

    This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.


    What type of certificate will I receive?

    Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
    The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.


    Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

    No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.


    Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

    No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.


    How long will I have access to the learning materials?

    You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

  • What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

    Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.


    Do I need to be online to access the program content?

    Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

    Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.

  • Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

    Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.


    What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

    The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.

    • Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).
    • Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

    What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

    Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.


    I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

    Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.


    How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

    Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.


    Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

    Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.


    How can I obtain a W9 form?

    Please connect with us via email for assistance.


    Who will be collecting the payment for the program?

    Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.

  • What is the program refund and deferral policy?

    For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Academic Advisors or call us at +1 680 205 5118 (US) / +44 185 845 9995 (UK) / +65 3135 1422 (SG)

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