Free Supply Chain Management Courses Online

The best supply chain management courses are from Coursera, MIT, and Udemy. These provide recognised online SCM certificates. These are becoming important for employability in the current global network economy.

Technological advancements and the circular economy are taking over consumer expectations everywhere. That’s why you will find a dramatic shift in focus on the latest SCM courses. These certifications focus on sustainable compliance requirements, data transparency, and end-to-end optimisation that lead organisations through future challenges. Prepared enough?

How SCM Online Courses Help Your Career in 2024

 

The basics of supply chain, including operations, procurement, and Six Sigma, still apply in an entry-level SCM role, and you can also learn on the job. But to stand out for a new job or a higher-paying position, you need to focus on the latest technologies driving the industry. 

At the same time you can learn more about supply chain with what you should learn as a beginner and when considering to get a hang of it. 

Get the Latest Training in the Supply Chain Industry

 

Blockchain, for instance, is a major 2024 trend in SCM, according to KPMG. To learn such applied concepts from a critical perspective, there are vendors such as Udemy. 

 

Fictiv’s 2023 State of Manufacturing Report states that 85% of leaders in supply chain and other sectors are using or plan to use AI (artificial intelligence). MOOCs such as Coursera are already ahead here by offering specialisation-based SCM courses. It has its own virtual lab for students to practice predictive analytics in the supply chain. 

Flexibility in Your Career-Advancing Options

 

Now, besides the longer, one-month-plus specialisations from Coursera, you can choose a module to learn one aspect and get a certificate for it. These are shorter modules that last a week or so. 

 

The latest online supply chain management courses from various platforms are available for all levels of learners and professionals. Short-term courses help you master specific concepts and tools. 

Alternatively, you can choose from online MBAs and one-year SCM postgraduate programs. The top global institutes, such as IIM Lucknow, Rutgers University, and UPES CCE, prepare you better with the latest case studies, capstone projects, and other such tools to make you future-ready. Do note that for most PG courses on supply chain management, there are some eligibility criteria that either require 50% marks in bachelor’s or work experience. 

 

Career in Supply Chain Management in India and Globally

 

Supply chain management is vital to businesses in various industries, such as e-commerce, auto manufacturing, electronics, fashion, and food and beverage. 

 

Today, the highest-paying job roles in SCM include supply chain analysts, demand planners, and logistics managers. 

 

The highest salary for a supply chain analyst in India is around INR 13 lakhs, and the salary is 8 years of experience (AmbitionBox). In companies such as Tata Steel, the salary for the same professional with more than 10 years of experience goes up to INR 20 Lakhs, as per AmbitionBox. 

 

Experience is a key factor, but it also takes longer. Having a higher degree with one or two certifications can help you move up the levels of management quickly. The main reason is you would be learning and applying advanced tactics that are internationally gaining traction. They are not necessarily learnt on the job.

 

According to the Journal of Applied Management, initiatives such as Make in India stress three areas: Capital in Infrastructure, Capability, and Compliance. To improve overall infrastructure, the nation requires more funding for roads, rail, and waterways. The second area, Capability, is important to note, as it requires adequate and highly trained human resources with continued higher education. 

 

Even globally, supply chain professionals with postgraduate degrees earn over USD 100,000 per annum, while those with undergraduate degrees earn less (Association for Supply Chain Management). 

 

On top of your bachelor’s or master’s degree, there are better chances of getting into top level management when you have some of the latest SCM training. 

 

How to Learn Supply Chain Management Online

 

Get started with learning supply chain management with the best learning and career outcomes following these steps. 

1. Get the fundamentals right, just like when you learn anything. Focus on gathering familiarity around concepts such as value chain, operations management, root cause analysis, inbound and outbound logistics, what makes for quality in a product, meaning of consumer, business ethics, etc. For that, take up a free supply chain management course. As a suggestion, you can check Great Learning’s Supply Chain Management course. It is just two hours, covering the history and philosophy of the subject. This is a supply chain management free online course with a certificate as well. 
2. Move on to intermediate to advanced concepts, including lean principles, green supply chain, omnichannel optimisation, and such. 
3. Focus on learning the best and relevant tools. One of the most popularly used is SAP. There are a good number of SAP courses to start with. Otherwise, you can choose Udemy’s SAP: Supply Chain Logistics & Transportation in S/4 HANA. If confused, have a look at the current SAP MM courses for supply chain managers.
4. The above three steps should be viable when you are planning to learn from scratch. But if you focus on a mid-career switch or more in-depth training, it’s best to go for postgraduate degrees or certificates for supply chain training that are available online that do not force you to leave your job for a year or two. 
5. When going for university-level SCM training, it’s best to check accreditations, be it in India or abroad. Some of the top Indian colleges offering UGC-approved higher education online in the supply chain discipline are UPES CCE and Online Manipal. 
6. You can also prepare for supply chain management qualifications. The Six Sigma Black Belt is one. There are a couple from ASCM, of which CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution) is popular. Another is Certified Procurement Professional - CPP™ from ISM (Institute of Supply Management) India. 

Best Supply Chain Management Online Courses with Certificates

Are you looking for the best SCM training courses online where you can balance your life and career growth? 

 

The below online supply chain courses below come with worthy certificates, and they are offered by the top MOOCs and universities, which can set you apart in the crowded job market. 

Course Name	Provider	Duration
Supply Chain Management Specialization	Coursera with Rutgers Business School	6 months
MBA in Logistics & Supply chain Management for Working Professionals (online)	UPES CCE	24 months
MicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management	MIT	Available upon enquiry
IIM Lucknow - Executive Program in Supply Chain Management During Uncertain Times	Talent Edge with IIM Lucknow	9 months
Machine Learning for Supply Chains Specialization	Coursera with LearnQuest	Over 1 month
Supply Chain Finance and Blockchain Technology Specialization	Coursera with New York Institute of Finance	Over 1 month
Certified Procurement Professional (CPP)	ISM India	6 months

 

What You Will Learn in an Online Supply Chain Course

 

The above list consists of some of the most well-known online SCM certification courses in India. Here are the topics you will come across. 

Demand forecasting and planning	Transportation and logistics	Global sourcing, outsourcing, and offshoring
Design supply chain networks	Project management	Digital identity
Data privacy and security	Regulatory frameworks	Procurement handling
Blockchain Technology and IoT (Internet of Things)	Customer service	SAP

 

Career Outcomes of Online SCM Certificate Courses

 

With the best courses on supply chain management online, here are the major outcomes. 

1. Develop analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to optimise supply chain processes, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency.
2. Gain proficiency in modern organisations' supply chain technologies and software applications to manage complex supply chain networks.
3. Learn best practices for negotiating and building effective supplier relationships, reducing risk, and enhancing sustainability throughout the supply chain.
4. Understand regulatory requirements, ethical considerations, and environmental concerns affecting supply chain management.
5. Acquire project management skills needed to plan and execute large-scale supply chain initiatives while meeting deadlines and staying within budget constraints.
6. Build a strong foundation in strategic thinking, collaboration, and teamwork required for managing diverse supply chain teams and working with cross-functional stakeholders.
7. Work on all types of business communication skills necessary to convey ideas clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
8. Qualify for senior leadership positions after becoming a supply chain manager, such as director of the supply chain, vice president of the supply chain, or chief operating officer (COO).
9. Expand career options beyond traditional supply chain roles into consulting, sales, marketing, or entrepreneurship.
10. Network with peers, instructors, and industry experts with similar interests and goals, expanding personal and professional connections.

Step Ahead of the Curve with Supply Chain Management Course Online

Courses online on supply chain management offer a lot more value, especially with the instructors and the institute’s reputation. Having the right certifications here will matter in the future because only the organisations that maintain transparency, embrace disruptive technologies, and be ethical will lead and hire the most talented of the lot. The SCM courses and certifications, curated on Shiksha Online, will give a competitive edge.