|

Course Overview

Inventory is one of the largest cost drivers in supply chains—yet it is also one of the most critical enablers of customer satisfaction and operational continuity. Excess inventory ties up capital and raises holding costs, while shortages risk stockouts, production delays, and reputational damage. Effective inventory planning requires integrating analytics, forecasting, and optimization strategies with governance and resilience frameworks.

This ten-day course from EuroQuest International Training explores end-to-end inventory management, from demand forecasting and safety stock calculations to digital optimization tools and multi-echelon inventory strategies. Participants will also study risk management, governance frameworks, and emerging technologies that enable real-time inventory visibility and agility.

Course Benefits

• Apply supply chain optimization techniques to balance cost and service

• Strengthen forecasting accuracy and demand planning processes

• Optimize safety stock and reorder policies to reduce risks

• Use strategic foresight to anticipate supply chain disruptions

• Leverage digital tools for real-time visibility and decision-making

Why Attend

Inventory optimization is a critical lever for profitability and resilience. By mastering planning and optimization strategies, participants will ensure that their organizations maintain the right stock, at the right time, in the right place, at the lowest cost.

Training Methodology

• Structured knowledge sessions

• Case studies of global inventory practices

• Scenario-based exploration of supply and demand risks

• Conceptual frameworks integrating analytics, governance, and foresight

• Reflective analysis of organizational challenges

Course Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Define the role of inventory in supply chain performance

• Apply forecasting and planning models to inventory decisions

• Optimize stock levels across multiple supply chain nodes

• Anticipate risks and disruptions using foresight tools

• Align inventory strategies with organizational goals

• Integrate governance and compliance in inventory management

• Use analytics and technology for real-time optimization

• Manage working capital and reduce inventory costs

• Improve customer service levels through inventory alignment

• Build resilience and adaptability into supply chain systems

Course Outline

Unit 1: Foundations of Inventory Planning and Supply Chain Strategy

• Strategic role of inventory in supply chains

• Balancing service levels and cost efficiency

• Inventory categories and classification models

• Linking inventory to business and customer goals

• Case studies of global inventory performance

Unit 2: Demand Forecasting and Planning Models

• Forecasting techniques for supply chains

• Time-series and causal models

• Collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment (CPFR)

• Managing uncertainty in demand forecasting

• Accuracy measurement and continuous improvement

Unit 3: Safety Stock and Service Level Optimization

• Calculating safety stock requirements

• Trade-offs between service levels and cost

• Reorder point models and lead time variability

• Service-level agreements and performance impact

• Multi-echelon safety stock strategies

Unit 4: Inventory Costing and Financial Implications

• Inventory carrying and holding costs

• Working capital optimization

• Inventory turnover metrics

• Cost-to-serve models in inventory planning

• Financial risks of excess and shortage

Unit 5: Multi-Echelon and Global Inventory Strategies

• Centralized vs. decentralized inventory systems

• Multi-echelon optimization models

• Global sourcing and inventory placement strategies

• Risk pooling and consolidation techniques

• Cross-border challenges in inventory planning

Unit 6: Digital Tools and Analytics for Inventory Optimization

• ERP, WMS, and advanced planning systems (APS)

• Predictive analytics for inventory planning

• AI and machine learning in optimization models

• Blockchain and IoT for real-time visibility

• Digital dashboards and KPI monitoring

Unit 7: Governance, Compliance, and Risk in Inventory Management

• Governance frameworks for inventory control

• Regulatory and compliance requirements

• Risk management frameworks for supply disruptions

• Ethical considerations in inventory policies

• Transparency and accountability

Unit 8: Supplier Collaboration and Inventory Efficiency

• Vendor-managed inventory (VMI) strategies

• Supplier integration into planning systems

• Collaborative forecasting and replenishment models

• Supplier risk and performance monitoring

• Building resilient supplier partnerships

Unit 9: Logistics, Warehousing, and Inventory Flow

• Warehouse design for inventory efficiency

• Cross-docking and flow-through models

• Distribution center strategies

• Transportation integration with inventory systems

• Lean inventory and just-in-time models

Unit 10: Crisis Management and Inventory Resilience

• Inventory planning during disruptions

• Emergency stock strategies

• Lessons from global crises and pandemics

• Business continuity planning with inventory buffers

• Building resilience in supply chain networks

Unit 11: Performance Measurement and KPIs

• Key metrics for inventory optimization

• Stock turnover and fill rate analysis

• Service level and backorder metrics

• Balanced scorecard for inventory management

• Linking KPIs to organizational performance

Unit 12: Future of Inventory Planning and Optimization

• Trends in digital supply chain visibility

• Automation and robotics in inventory control

• Sustainability and green inventory practices

• Circular economy implications for inventory

• Consolidation of course insights

Target Audience

• Supply chain directors and managers

• Procurement and operations professionals

• Logistics and inventory control managers

• Risk and compliance professionals in supply chains

• Executives seeking to optimize working capital and efficiency

Target Competencies

• Forecasting and demand planning accuracy

• Inventory optimization frameworks

• Cost management and working capital control

• Digital and analytics-driven decision-making

• Governance and compliance in supply chain systems

• Supplier collaboration and performance alignment

• Resilience and foresight in inventory strategies

Join the Inventory Planning and Optimization for Supply Chains Training Course from EuroQuest International Training to master forecasting, analytics, and optimization strategies that reduce costs, improve service, and strengthen resilience.