Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain

Course Description

This course introduces students to the principles, processes, and technologies that govern supply chain operations within advanced manufacturing environments. Students examine the end-to-end flow of materials, information, and finances across the manufacturing supply chain — from raw material sourcing and procurement through production planning, inventory management, distribution, and delivery. Emphasis is placed on the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, lean manufacturing principles, and operational best practices as they apply to Florida's industrial and manufacturing sectors. The course is situated within the Engineering Technologies > Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy (Florida SCNS course prefix: ETI).

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain the fundamental components and structure of a manufacturing supply chain, including upstream suppliers, producers, distributors, and end customers.
• Apply lean manufacturing concepts — including waste elimination and value-stream mapping — to supply chain processes to reduce non-value-added activities.
• Analyze inventory management strategies, including independent and dependent demand theory, safety stock, and reorder point calculations.
• Describe procurement and strategic sourcing processes, including supplier selection, evaluation, and relationship management.
• Explain the role of production planning and scheduling in aligning manufacturing output with supply chain demand signals.
• Interpret and use supply chain performance metrics to evaluate operational efficiency, quality, and delivery performance.
• Identify risk factors within manufacturing supply chains and describe mitigation strategies, including supply chain resilience planning.
• Demonstrate understanding of quality management principles (e.g., quality assurance and quality control) as they apply to manufacturing supply chain operations.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be addressed at the discretion of the institution or instructor:

• Apply global supply chain concepts, including international sourcing, trade compliance, and cross-border logistics considerations.
• Utilize enterprise software tools (e.g., ERP systems, Warehouse Management Systems, Transportation Management Systems) to support supply chain decision-making.
• Evaluate the role of reverse logistics and circular supply chain strategies, including remanufacturing, recycling, and sustainability reporting.
• Examine emerging Industry 4.0 technologies — such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, robotics, and blockchain — and their impact on manufacturing supply chains.
• Analyze sustainability and regulatory compliance considerations within supply chain operations.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Supply Chain Fundamentals: Structure and functions of the manufacturing supply chain; roles of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers; supply chain design principles.
• Lean Manufacturing & Waste Reduction: Lean principles, value-stream mapping, 5S methodology, identification and elimination of non-value-added activities in production and supply chain.
• Procurement & Strategic Sourcing: Purchasing process, supplier evaluation and selection, buyer-supplier relationships, outsourcing and offshoring considerations, contract management.
• Inventory Management: Inventory types (raw materials, WIP, finished goods), demand forecasting, independent vs. dependent demand, reorder points, safety stock, Just-In-Time (JIT) concepts.
• Production Planning & Scheduling: Master production scheduling, Materials Requirements Planning (MRP), capacity planning, process design and analysis.
• Logistics & Distribution: Transportation modes, warehousing, materials handling, packaging, order fulfillment, distribution center operations.
• Supply Chain Performance Measurement: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), metrics for quality, delivery, cost, and flexibility; performance dashboards and reporting.
• Quality Management in the Supply Chain: Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) methods, inspection and testing, supplier quality management.
• Supply Chain Risk Management: Risk identification, assessment, and mitigation; supply chain disruption planning and resilience strategies.

Optional Topics

• Global Supply Chains: International sourcing, trade regulations, customs compliance, global logistics networks, nearshoring and offshoring trade-offs.
• Industry 4.0 & Digital Supply Chain: Automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, digital twins, IoT in manufacturing, blockchain for supply chain transparency.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: Overview and use of ERP platforms (e.g., SAP) for integrated supply chain and manufacturing management.
• Reverse Logistics & Circular Supply Chain: Returns management, remanufacturing, recycling, sustainability practices, and regulatory compliance.
• Supply Chain Sustainability: Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations; sustainable sourcing; carbon footprint reduction in logistics.
• Six Sigma in the Supply Chain: DMAIC methodology, defect reduction, process improvement tools applied to supply chain processes.

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks: Typically selected from leading supply chain and operations management texts covering manufacturing supply chain principles, lean operations, and procurement.
• Enterprise Software: Introductory use of ERP/MRP simulation tools; free academic editions of SAP or similar platforms may be utilized where available.
• Industry Standards & Frameworks: Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) competency standards; APICS/ASCM Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model documentation.
• Florida Manufacturing Resources: Florida MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) publications; Manufacturing and Supply Chain Alliance of Mid-Florida (MSCA) resources.
• Data Analysis Tools: Spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel) for inventory calculations, demand forecasting, and performance metric analysis.

Career Pathways

Completion of this course supports preparation for careers in Florida's growing manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain sectors. Relevant roles include:

• Supply Chain Coordinator / Analyst — monitoring inventory levels, supplier relationships, and order fulfillment processes in manufacturing facilities.
• Production Planner / Scheduler — developing and managing production schedules aligned with materials availability and customer demand.
• Procurement / Purchasing Specialist — sourcing materials, managing vendor contracts, and evaluating supplier performance.
• Warehouse / Distribution Center Supervisor — overseeing logistics operations, inventory control, and distribution activities.
• Operations / Manufacturing Technician — supporting plant-level supply chain and quality functions within industrial systems environments.
• Logistics Coordinator — managing transportation, freight, and delivery coordination across the manufacturing supply chain network.

This course also supports stackable credentials and transfer pathways within Florida's Engineering Technology and Industrial Systems Technology programs at the associate and baccalaureate levels.

Special Information

Certification Preparation: Content in this course aligns with competencies assessed by the following industry-recognized certifications:

• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) — Manufacturing Skills Standards Council credential covering production, quality, maintenance, and safety in manufacturing environments.
• MSSC Certified Technician – Supply Chain Automation (CT-SCA) — Prepares technicians to install, operate, support, and maintain automated supply chain systems.
• APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) — Foundational preparation for students pursuing logistics and distribution careers.
• APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) — Introductory alignment for students planning to pursue this credential after further study.

Program Context: This course is typically offered as part of a certificate or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree sequence within the Industrial Systems Technology or Advanced Manufacturing programs at Florida state and community colleges. Credits earned are designed to be stackable and may apply toward higher-level engineering technology degrees.