COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Apply Professional Work Practices in Supply Chain Operations course. This program has been developed to strengthen your knowledge, behaviours, and practical skills to work effectively across procurement, warehousing, logistics, and distribution functions, while maintaining high standards of accuracy, accountability, safety, and coordination in day-to-day supply chain activities.
The course begins by introducing the nature of supply chain operations and the work practices required in different supply chain environments, such as warehouses, distribution centres, transport hubs, and office-based planning roles. This section also clarifies the roles and responsibilities within supply chain operations, highlights the importance of accountability, accuracy, and coordination at every stage, and explains how individual tasks and decisions must align with broader organisational objectives, customer requirements, and service expectations.
A solid understanding of supply chain structures and processes is fundamental to professional practice. This section provides an overview of end-to-end supply chain activities, from sourcing and procurement through to storage, transport, and final delivery. It explores how supplier, logistics, and distribution functions operate, identifies key stakeholders across the supply chain, and explains how interdependencies between stages mean that delays, errors, or breakdowns in one area can significantly impact cost, service levels, and customer satisfaction.
Workplace health and safety responsibilities apply to all areas of supply chain operations, particularly in warehousing and logistics environments. This section examines common hazards such as manual handling risks, plant and equipment, vehicle and forklift traffic, slips, trips and falls, and storage-related hazards. It focuses on following safe work procedures, applying correct manual handling practices, using personal protective equipment correctly, and responding appropriately to incidents and emergencies so that workers, visitors, and contractors are protected and WHS obligations are met.
Procurement and supplier interactions play a critical role in the reliability and integrity of the supply chain. This section explores the key steps in procurement processes, including requisitioning, sourcing, and ordering, and emphasises the need for clear and professional communication with suppliers. It also examines how to ensure ethical and transparent purchasing practices, monitor supplier performance and compliance with agreed standards, and support long-term, mutually beneficial supplier relationships.
Accurate receiving and inspection of goods is essential to maintaining reliable stock and service levels. This section focuses on checking deliveries against purchase orders and supporting documentation, inspecting goods for damage, discrepancies, or non-conformance, and recording receipt details accurately in systems or registers. It also highlights the importance of reporting issues promptly so that corrective action can be taken with suppliers, transport providers, or internal stakeholders before problems flow further down the supply chain.
Effective inventory and stock control underpin both cost control and customer service. This section examines how to monitor stock levels accurately using systems and physical checks, apply stock rotation and control methods to minimise expiry or obsolescence, and prevent stock loss through damage, misplacement, or shrinkage. It also examines maintaining accurate inventory records so that planning, ordering, and fulfilment decisions are based on reliable information.
Safe and efficient storage practices directly influence productivity and product quality. This section explores how to organise storage areas effectively to support quick access and safe movement, store goods according to their handling, hazard, and environmental requirements, and maintain clear aisles and safe stacking practices. It also focuses on preventing contamination or deterioration of goods through appropriate segregation, temperature control, and housekeeping.
Picking, packing, and dispatch processes are central to meeting customer expectations. This section examines following order picking procedures accurately, using documentation or system instructions to minimise picking errors, and packing goods securely and correctly to prevent damage in transit. It also explores preparing dispatch documentation, labelling, and transport instructions, and ensuring that orders meet delivery schedules and accuracy requirements to maintain service quality and customer satisfaction.
Transport and distribution activities must be coordinated carefully to keep goods moving efficiently. This section focuses on scheduling transport and deliveries, communicating with logistics providers and carriers, and monitoring delivery progress using tracking tools and status updates. It also addresses managing delays or distribution issues, including communicating impacts to internal stakeholders or customers and arranging alternative solutions where required.
Supply chain operations increasingly rely on systems and technology to manage information and movement. This section explores operating inventory, warehouse management, and logistics systems, entering data accurately and consistently, and using tracking and reporting tools to monitor stock, orders, and deliveries. It also emphasises maintaining system security and access controls to protect data integrity, confidentiality, and operational reliability.
Quality and accuracy must be maintained at every stage of supply chain activity. This section examines checking work for accuracy and completeness, identifying errors, delays, or inefficiencies in processes, and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence. It also highlights the importance of maintaining consistent quality standards so that internal customers, external customers, and partners can rely on the information and services provided.
Clear communication is essential to coordinated supply chain operations. This section explores sharing information with internal teams such as procurement, sales, customer service, and operations planning, communicating clearly with external partners including suppliers, carriers, and third-party logistics providers, and keeping documentation and system records up to date. It also considers how effective communication supports timely decision-making, problem-solving, and seamless end-to-end supply chain flow.
Environmental and sustainability responsibilities are an important consideration in modern supply chains. This section examines how to reduce waste in supply chain activities through better planning, packaging choices, and process design, manage packaging responsibly through recycling or reuse, and support sustainable sourcing practices where possible. It also explores ways to minimise environmental impact across transport, storage, and handling activities, in line with organisational policies and community expectations.
Compliance with legal and ethical requirements is a core expectation for supply chain professionals. This section focuses on understanding relevant regulatory obligations, such as product safety, dangerous goods, customs, and privacy requirements, and applying ethical sourcing and distribution practices, including avoiding modern slavery and unfair labour practices in supply chains. It also examines managing confidentiality and data protection in documentation and systems, and responding appropriately to suspected or actual compliance issues.
Finally, the course concludes with a focus on performance monitoring, continuous improvement, and professional development. This section explores reviewing supply chain performance indicators such as accuracy, timeliness, cost, and service measures, identifying opportunities to improve processes and reduce errors or delays, and supporting efficiency and cost-control initiatives. It also examines reflecting on individual work performance, accepting feedback and supervision constructively, identifying skill development needs, and contributing actively to improved supply chain practices across the organisation.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with professional work practices, a clear understanding of supply chain processes, and practical strategies that support safe, accurate, and efficient operations aligned with organisational objectives and customer expectations.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Supply Chain Operations
- Understanding work practices in supply chain environments
- Roles and responsibilities within supply chain operations
- Importance of accountability, accuracy, and coordination
- Aligning supply chain activities with organisational objectives
2. Understanding Supply Chain Structures and Processes
- Overview of end-to-end supply chain activities
- Understanding supplier, logistics, and distribution functions
- Identifying key supply chain stakeholders
- Recognising interdependencies across supply chain stages
3. Applying Workplace Health and Safety in Supply Chain Operations
- Identifying common supply chain and warehouse hazards
- Following safe work procedures and manual handling practices
- Using personal protective equipment correctly
- Responding to incidents and emergencies
4. Managing Procurement and Supplier Interactions Responsibly
- Understanding procurement processes and requirements
- Communicating effectively with suppliers
- Ensuring ethical and transparent purchasing practices
- Monitoring supplier performance and compliance
5. Receiving and Inspecting Goods Accurately
- Checking deliveries against orders and documentation
- Inspecting goods for damage or discrepancies
- Recording receipt of goods accurately
- Reporting issues promptly
6. Managing Inventory and Stock Control
- Monitoring stock levels accurately
- Applying stock rotation and control methods
- Preventing stock loss and damage
- Maintaining accurate inventory records
7. Storing Goods Safely and Efficiently
- Organising storage areas effectively
- Storing goods according to handling requirements
- Maintaining clear access and safe stacking practices
- Preventing contamination or deterioration of goods
8. Picking, Packing, and Dispatching Orders
- Following order picking procedures accurately
- Packing goods securely and correctly
- Preparing dispatch documentation
- Meeting delivery schedules and accuracy requirements
9. Coordinating Transport and Distribution Activities
- Scheduling transport and deliveries
- Communicating with logistics providers
- Monitoring delivery progress
- Managing delays or distribution issues
10. Using Supply Chain Systems and Technology Effectively
- Operating inventory and logistics systems
- Entering data accurately and consistently
- Using tracking and reporting tools
- Maintaining system security and access controls
11. Managing Quality and Accuracy Across Supply Chain Activities
- Checking work for accuracy and completeness
- Identifying errors or inefficiencies
- Implementing corrective actions
- Maintaining consistent quality standards
12. Communicating Effectively Across the Supply Chain
- Sharing information with internal teams
- Communicating clearly with external partners
- Managing documentation and updates
- Supporting coordinated supply chain operations
13. Managing Environmental and Sustainability Responsibilities
- Reducing waste in supply chain activities
- Managing packaging responsibly
- Supporting sustainable sourcing practices
- Minimising environmental impact
14. Ensuring Compliance with Legal and Ethical Requirements
- Understanding regulatory obligations in supply chain operations
- Applying ethical sourcing and distribution practices
- Managing confidentiality and data protection
- Responding to compliance issues
15. Monitoring Performance and Continuous Improvement
- Reviewing supply chain performance indicators
- Identifying process improvement opportunities
- Supporting efficiency and cost-control initiatives
- Reporting outcomes to stakeholders
16. Reflecting on Practice and Professional Development
- Reviewing individual work performance
- Accepting feedback and supervision
- Identifying skill development needs
- Contributing to improved supply chain practices
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.