As Economic Pressures Increase, Firms turn to Supply Chain Management

Sierra College offers training to IT, operations, procurement and materials managers to cut costs

Gain more control over the storage and movement of materials, supplies and products, and your company can increase efficiencies, cut costs and improve customer satisfaction. Sierra College is offering a series of Supply Chain Management courses to help businesses increase control over the flow of inventory and gain a competitive advantage.

The Sierra College Workforce Development & Continuing Education Division (www.sierracollegetraining.com) through the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) is co-sponsoring the series with the Sacramento Chapter of the Association for Operations Managers, (known as APICS --Advancing Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success) (www.apicsacramento.com). The first course of the series starts September 9 in Roseville, CA at the Sierra Gateway Campus.

According to Pat McCarty, President of APICS Sacramento, any company that purchases, produces and manages inventory could benefit from learning the best practices in Supply Chain Management. "Grocery stores, utilities, hospitals and service businesses as well as manufacturers can reduce costs, improve efficiencies and stream line processes with Supply Chain Management strategies," said McCarty. "The greatest benefit for participants is the opportunity to meet and interact with others in the industry who implementing similar programs and can share insights and support. APICS is pleased to be working with Sierra College to offer this professional development program that will help local companies be more competitive in a tight economy."

The courses will also prepare participants for the APICS professional exam to become Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM). APICS administers the CPIM test.

Sierra College is taking registrations now at www.sierracollegetraining.com for:

• Basics of Supply Chain Management -- September 9 to October 16
• Detailed Scheduling and Planning – October 28 to December 11
• Execution & Control of Operations – January 13 to February 19, 2009
• Master Planning of Resources – March 3 to April 9, 2009
• Strategic Management of Resources -- April 21 to June 2, 2009

Sierra College Consultant and APICS member, Jes Vargas is the lead instructor for the Supply Chain Management course. With 24 years of industry experience, Vargas has worked in engineering, project management, business development, manufacturing and executive management and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, a MBA in Operations and certifications in TQM, Material Management, Project Management and Lean Manufacturing.

The mission of the Workforce Development & Continuing Education Division is to deliver flexible learning opportunities that produce change. Since 1997, the Sierra College CACT has worked with manufacturers and technology companies in Northern California from Sacramento to the Oregon border. For more information, go to www.sierracollegetraining.com or contact Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Sierra College CACT at cpepper-kittredge@sierracollege.edu or (916) 781-6288.