Business Supply Chain and Operations – BLS3/BLS4
Introduction
Video: Business – Supply Chain and Operations Program Welcome; Introduction by Angela Reid-Regier [3:01] Transcript available on YouTube.
This diploma will help you start a career that has a wide variety of work, high salaries, stability and job satisfaction. See here for more details: Supply Chain Salary and Career Report.
Supply Chain touches every step in the product or service life cycle from growing, mining or creating a material to delivering it into the hands of the consumers plus all the activities in between. In this program you will learn how to procure materials/services, how to transport raw materials to your facility, how to develop/improve processes to convert raw materials into finished products or services, how to maintain to the right amount of inventory and how to distribute finished goods to your customers.
Unique Program Experiences
- SILEx opportunities: It’s Fanshawe’s responsibility to ensure students are prepared to meet the needs of employers. We will provide every student with a signature innovative learning experience and job skills for the future so they gain the technical and human skills required for a changing world of work. For more information on SILEx, please visit the the SILEx and Job Skills for the Future website.
- Live Client projects: Students see Supply Chain and Operations in action by touring facilities such as Labatt Breweries, Starlim, Toyota Manufacturing Canada, Great Lakes Copper, 3M, Orgill, Parts Canada, Natra Chocolate America and Gray Ridge Eggs.
- Field Trips / Plant Tours: Students see Supply Chain and Operations in action by touring facilities such as Labatt Breweries, Starlim, Toyota Manufacturing Canada, Great Lakes Copper, 3M, Orgill, Parts Canada, Natra Chocolate America and Gray Ridge Eggs.
- Guest Speakers: Students get additional experiences from guest speakers from organizations such as 3M, The Beer Store, Schaeffler and Starlim.
- Simulations: Students participate in Supply Chain simulations such as The Fresh Connection, Business on the Move, The Beer Game, and The Paper Game in order to learn about Supply Chain and Operations processes.
- Co-op work term: Students who enrol in the co-op version of the program have the opportunity to do two four month paid work terms in jobs related to business and supply chain.
Toolkit
- MS Office is used extensively in the program: Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Students take COMP-3077 Excel for Business.
- SAP. Students learn how to use the ERP system SAP in MGMT-3090 Business & Resource Planning Systems.
Student Experience
- Club: ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management) Fanshawe Student Chapter. Students in the Supply Chain and Operations programs at Fanshawe College are encouraged to participate in or be on the executive of this club. The club hosts networking and learning events for students to learn more about Supply Chain and Operations and to network with professionals from the industry.
- ASCM Case Competitions
- Participate in events hosted by ASCM London & District Chapter, ASQ London, SCMAO, LEDC Manufacturing Matters, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters .
Your Future Career
Please See the following for information on: Supply Chain Management Careers, Supply Chain Salary and Career Report.
Common Supply Chain Job Titles by Function
| Orchestrate | Plan | Order |
|---|---|---|
| Supply chain manager | Demand planner | Logistics manager |
| Supply chain director | Inventory manager | Buyer |
| Supply chain analyst | Master scheduler | Procurement manager |
| Operations manager | Planning manager | Purchasing manager |
| Production planner | ||
| Source | Transform | Fulfill |
| Buyer | Master scheduler | Master scheduler |
| Buyer-planner | Materials manager | Materials manager |
| Inventory manager | Planning manager | Planning manager |
| Material planner | Production planner | Production planner |
| Procurement manager | Production scheduler | Production scheduler |
| Return | ||
| Master scheduler | ||
| Materials manager | ||
| Planning manager | ||
| Production planner | ||
| Production scheduler |
Some employers of graduates from this program include:
Example Jobs
- Procurement Analyst – Support bid and proposal activities, administer Purchase Order activities, follow up with suppliers, develop suppliers
- Supply Chain Analyst – Ensure inventory availability, manage demand forecasts, determine cost-efficient shipment procedures, research partner companies and negotiate contracts, implement supply chain optimization projects and monitor vendor performance.
- Planner – Material Requirements Planning – Support manufacturing, communicate with suppliers, provide suppliers with forecast information monitor and control inventory levels, verify capacity and demand risks.
- Logistics Coordinator – Prepare shipping documents. Coordinate shipping activities. Understand shipping regulations for all countries where products are exported. Coordinate customs agents for exported deliveries. Troubleshoot export challenges.
Your Future Path
This Business – Supply Chain and Operations program aligns with the curriculum of various professional associations including the SCMAO CSCMP Designation and the CPIM, CSCP and CLTD designations through the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM).
Graduates of this program may be eligible to transfer to the Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Management) at Fanshawe College and receive a one-year advanced standing.
There are options to transfer to complete a degree program at many other post-secondary institutions or complement your diploma with a graduate certificate offered by the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business.
Alumni Testimonial
What program/ credential did you graduate from at Fanshawe?
Business – Supply Chain and Operations (Co-Op) – BLS4
Why did you choose this program?
As an immigrant in Canada with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, I arrived and worked in the purchasing department of a multinational automotive company. When I had to make a decision about which course to take, I had two options. The first was to choose another engineering program and essentially review all the concepts and theories I had learned back home, but in a different language. The second option was to learn the theories behind what I had learned through my experience. Considering this, I decided that the best choice was the second option, and I have not regretted it.
What kind of opportunities were available to you in the program and how did they impact you?
The main opportunity I’ve had so far was my Co-op program. After completing my second term, I had the chance to work as a Co-op in the same company where I am still employed today. During my 8-month Co-op experience in the Production Control department, I focused on developing and designing packaging for Finished Goods (FG) and Work In Process (WIP) parts at an automotive manufacturer. This Co-op position proved to be a crucial stepping stone in my career here in Canada, as it allowed me to apply the engineering knowledge I had gained in back home plus all the knowledge earned at Fanshawe in the fields of supply chain and logistics, to solve real-life challenges that my company was facing at the time.
Following my 8-month Co-op, I was offered the opportunity to continue working there on a part-time basis while I completed my studies at Fanshwe. Upon graduation, I was delighted to be offered a full-time position as a Maintenance Administrator. It has now been 2 years since my graduation, and I am still employed with the company, but I have transitioned into the role of Process Engineer.
What skills were you able to bring to the program?
As mentioned before, I had a work experience in a purchasing department in a multinational automotive company. And also, I have a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering. Those experiences where very important to me in terms of provide a very strong base for my program specially with math skills and problem solving.
What’s the biggest takeaway from the program for you and how did it help you obtain a job?
The biggest takeaway from my experience at Fanshawe College was the valuable opportunity to network with teachers and participate in extracurricular activities that provided insights into the Canadian market and available opportunities. One particular conversation with Angela Reid and Steve Levson proved pivotal, as they mentioned the Business Case Competition sponsored by Deloitte. In a nutshell, my group was chosen as one of the finalists in the regional stage, which led us to compete in the Semi-Finals in Chicago against other colleges and universities from both the US and Canada. This experience was definitely a significant asset that I could highlight during job interviews, and it played a crucial role in securing a job opportunity for me.
What are you most proud of after completing the program?
The most memorable experience I had at Fanshawe College and in my program was the opportunity to travel to Chicago and compete against prestigious universities in a challenging business case competition. Out of the 10 teams participating, 8 were from the United States and 2 were from Canada, both representing Fanshawe College. What made our team unique was that all members had English as their second language. Although we didn’t win in the semi-finals, I am very proud about the fact that we had the chance to compete on equal footing with the other teams. Moreover, the experience provided us with invaluable networking opportunities with fellow students and highly experienced Deloitte consultants at their Chicago offices. It was a truly enriching and unforgettable experience for all of us.
What’s one piece of advice you can share with students considering that program?
As a former student who experienced the challenges of studying during the COVID, unfortunately I had the opportunity to attend only two semesters on campus due to social distancing requirements, which was understandable given the circumstances. However, if I were to give advice to new students, I would say this: make the most of your time on campus. Try to immerse yourself in the experience and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. At Fanshawe, you’ll have the chance to meet people from all over the world, not just fellow students but also teachers. It may sound cliché, but networking truly can open doors for your future. So, make an effort to connect with others and build relationships. Engage in all the extracurricular activities available to you and seize every opportunity that comes your way. Remember, the person sitting beside you in class today might be the one who can refer you to your dream job tomorrow. So, embrace the connections you make and foster meaningful relationships. Enjoy your time on campus, make the most of the diverse community at Fanshawe, and let your network become a powerful asset in shaping your future career.
Co-op
For more information about co-op opportunities, please visit the Business – Supply Chain and Operations Co-op page.
To learn about the Business – Supply Chain and Operations program, including the description, admission requirements and courses, see the program website.
