To give an introduction to the supply chain program, we are publishing a series on the classes in the junior core: purchasing, quality management, operations, and logistics. This series will give information on the classes and the experiences that the students have while in the junior core. If you have questions on any of the topics presented, please reach out to any junior or senior in the program.
Class: Purchasing/Supply Management (GSCM 403)
Writer: Taylor Thompson
The purchasing class is all about how to make an important impact to your employer by making smart, efficient, and ethical decisions in the procurement of items necessary for business function. It is very focused on learning from business cases and collaborating in class discussion. Dr. Blair does a great job of encouraging and guiding stimulating class conversation about the different aspects of purchasing in a company. The cases and other things that are discussed in class help train you to think effectively and in an organized way about how to make the best procurement decision.
Purchasing culminates in a semester-long “Category Study” project, in which your team works together to think through the process of procuring an important productive input to a product from start to finish. The Category Study provided a great way for my team to collaborate and understand all of the risks, opportunities, and other considerations that have to be made by a procurement professional that manages an important category (or productive input) in any business.