Road to Supply Chain

A complete end-to-end overview of supply chain management, supply chain economics, and supply chain optimization

In the intricate web of global commerce, supply chain management stands as the backbone of industry, seamlessly connecting manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers to deliver goods and services to the end consumer. As we navigate an era of unprecedented technological advancements, shifting market dynamics, and heightened consumer expectations, the significance of effective supply chain strategies has never been more pronounced. This book embarks on a comprehensive exploration of supply chain intricacies, delving into the fundamental concepts, innovative methodologies, and practical applications that drive the success of modern supply chain ecosystems. From procurement and production to distribution and customer satisfaction, we will unravel the layers of complexity, offering insights, strategies, and real-world examples to guide professionals, students, and enthusiasts through the dynamic landscape of supply chain management.

Whether you are a seasoned industry practitioner or a novice eager to grasp the essentials, this journey will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the challenges and harness the opportunities within the ever-evolving realm of supply chain excellence. Welcome to a transformative exploration of the heartbeat of commerce – welcome to the world of supply chain management.

I developed this course to educate those who are currently working in supply chain, and those who want to break into the industry. The supply chain field is one of those few careers that can never fully be automated, or AI can not fully own the industry. I believe AI will complement a supply chain operator and make them more efficient rather than take their job.

Within the course you will see many overlapping concepts and themes that carry over to another chapter. This was intended to be that way. Grey area and ambiguity is a central theme throughout the job, but the idea is to walk away confidently with a newfound background and lessons that are immediately applicable. From Supply Chain Management, to the Economics of Supply Chains, closing with Supply Chain Optimization, I genuinely hope that you enjoy this course!

From my decade plus years of experience, I hope to give you all an overview and summation of what I spent countless dollars and hours learning. This course is intended to be an introduction to the supply chain field going through the major topics I believe are the most important. This course is designed for anyone who is:

• Exploring the possibility of a career in supply chain

• Preparing for a job interview and needs to brush up on key concepts

• Looking to dive deeper into supply chain but isn't sure where to start

Over the course of 29 chapters, I’ll walk you through what I believe are the most critical topics in supply chain. Each chapter features a mix of video lectures, slides, and articles to provide a comprehensive learning experience. Some chapters have code alongs, with some test questions and steps to answer. Some lessons also include hands-on examples using Excel or Google Sheets to help you apply what you've learned to real-world scenarios. At the end of the course, we’ll culminate with a capstone project to tie everything together and help you take your new skills to the next level.

Topics we'll cover:

Section I - Supply Chain Management

1. Supply Chain Management (SCM) Overview

2. Logistics

3. Inventory Management

4. Demand Planning

5. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

6. Distribution Network Design

7. Order Fulfillment

8. Risk Management

9. Information Technology (IT) in Supply Chain

10. Sustainability in Supply Chains

11. Supply Chain Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

12. Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR)

13. Lean and Agile Supply Chain

14. Continuous Improvement (Kaizen)

15. Global Supply Chain Management

16. Lean six Sigma Supply Chain Principles

17. Supply Chain Dynamics: An Economic Analysis of Supply & Demand

18. Capstone - Let’s put it all together!

Section II - The Economics of Supply Chains

1. The Economics of Supply Chains

2. Tariffs in Global Supply Chains: The Double-Edged Sword

Section III - Supply Chain Optimization

1. Forecasting — The Crystal Ball of Commerce

2. Planning — The Blueprint for Execution

3. Sourcing — The Foundation of Reliability

4. Inbound — The Arteries of the Network

5. Inventory Management — The Balancing Act

6. Placement — The Strategic Map

7. Fulfillment — The Final Promise

8. The Last Mile - The Costliest Leg

9. Epilogue: The Future of Supply Chain — From Reactive to Predictive

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Hi, My name is Eric Esajian! Thank you so much for purchasing this book, I hope you'll find it as rewarding as I did creating it. A little bit about myself: I spent six years in the United States Marine Corps where I specialized in logistics. This is where my interest in supply chain began. Shortly after being honorably discharged, I pursued a bachelor's degree in economics from Cal State Fullerton, then a master’s degree in global supply chain management from the University of Southern California. I spent years as a supply chain analyst having worked for American Apparel, Vans, Cotton Heritage, and now I'm currently a business intelligence engineer at Amazon developing tools for their supply chain.

From my decade plus years of experience, I hope to give you all an overview and summation of what I spent countless dollars and hours learning. This book is intended to be an introduction to the supply chain field going through the major topics I believe are the most important. This book is designed for anyone who is:

• Exploring the possibility of a career in supply chain

• Preparing for a job interview and needs to brush up on key concepts

• Looking to dive deeper into supply chain but isn't sure where to start

From logistics to supply chain technology, from origin to customer, from upstream and down stream the value chain, I cover the framework needed to be a well versed supply chain operator. Thanks again so much for hoping into this journey with me, I hope you like the course, and it brings value to your future. Let's get started on your own road to supply chain!