COURSE OVERVIEW
Successful international buying is a cornerstone of modern business, government, and military materials management operations. This program emphasizes best practices for identifying, engaging, and managing global suppliers. Participants will explore strategies to enhance supplier performance, reduce costs, improve quality, shorten lead times, lower inventory levels, and eliminate inefficiencies. The course also examines the transformative impact of digital tools and the internet on global procurement processes, providing practical approaches to modern international sourcing challenges.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Identify and evaluate new international sourcing opportunities
- Assess the role of the internet in modern purchasing operations
- Apply best practices in international procurement
- Manage supplier relationships effectively
- Explore innovative inventory management techniques
- Enhance negotiation and contracting skills
- Draft and review international contracts accurately
- Plan and manage efficient international transportation
TARGET AUDIENCE
This training is designed for:
- Buyers and purchasing agents
- Materials management personnel responsible for global supply chain operations
TRAINING METHODOLOGY
The course is highly interactive, combining hands-on exercises, real-world case discussions, video presentations, and group activities to ensure active participant engagement. Pre- and post-course assessments will be used to gauge learning outcomes and program effectiveness.
COURSE CONTENTS
Module 1 – The Modern Buying Function
Key topics include:
- The impact of globalization on procurement
- Leveraging the internet for sourcing and procurement
- Contemporary buying practices
- Ensuring supplier performance and reliability
- Methods for effective pricing determination
- The strategic role of procurement within organizations
- Measuring procurement performance
- Long-term contract pricing strategies
Module 2 – International Buying
Key topics include:
- Managing international buying operations
- Understanding international countertrade
- Maximizing the benefits of global sourcing
- Overcoming challenges in international procurement
- Applying the learning curve for cost efficiency
- Ensuring quality in international deliveries
- Integrating international buying with inventory management
- Cost reduction strategies in global inventory management
Module 3 – International Supplier Sourcing
Key topics include:
- Expanding sourcing beyond domestic suppliers
- Global sourcing strategies
- Identifying and selecting international suppliers
- Evaluating single-source versus multi-source policies
- Establishing supplier evaluation criteria
- Managing foreign exchange risks
- Navigating ethical considerations in global sourcing
Module 4 – Negotiation and Contract Preparation
Key topics include:
- Understanding the negotiation process
- Characteristics of effective negotiators
- Preparing for negotiation
- Advanced negotiation techniques
- Building strategic supplier partnerships
- Legal considerations in international procurement
- Drafting international contracts
- Dispute resolution strategies
Module 5 – International Movement of Goods
Key topics include:
- Understanding international commercial terms (Incoterms)
- Procuring transportation services
- Utilizing air and ocean freight efficiently
- Securing marine insurance
- Calculating total landed costs
- Strategic purchase planning
- Streamlining and reengineering purchasing operations
