1st Edition

Supply Chain Management for Engineers

By Samuel H. Huang Copyright 2013
    240 Pages 58 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    240 Pages
    by CRC Press

    Originally taught mainly in business schools, supply chain management has become a common elective and graduate course in engineering colleges. The increasing demand for engineers with supply chain knowledge has fed this shift. However, supply chain management textbooks that have a reasonable coverage of quantitative analysis techniques are few and far between. Concise, straightforward, and easy-to-read, Supply Chain Management for Engineers uses practical problems to introduce key concepts and cultivate students’ problem-solving skills.

    Helping students hone their analytical skills and develop the ability to solve real-world problems, the book:

    • Includes a simulation game for practicing supply chain management skills
    • Covers the use of practical software tools including Gurobi Optimizer and Microsoft EXCEL
    • Facilitates the use of problem-based learning (PBL) pedagogy
    • Provides a theoretical framework for supply chain design and supplier selection

    Focusing on quantitative aspects, this book uses example problems to introduce key concepts and case studies to strengthen students’ analysis and synthesis skills. In addition to exercises, this book also provides several problems that are relatively complicated and can be used as mini projects that link theoretical concepts to practical problem solving. It also presents a simulation game where students can play the roles of suppliers, OEMs, and retailers within a supply chain environment to practice the skills they acquire. It also stresses the importance of integrating engineering optimization techniques with business strategic thinking. These features and more give students the supply chain knowledge and problem-solving skills increasingly required for engineers entering the work force.

    Designing and Engineering the Supply Chain for Competitive Advantage
    Overview
    Supply Chain Types
    Supply Chain Design
    Supply Chain Process Model
    Supply Chain Drivers
    Problem: Dr. Smart’s Supply Chain Strategy
    References

    Understanding Customer Demand: Forecasting
    Overview
    Time Series Forecasting
    Error Analysis
    Case Studies
    Problem: Oriental Trading Company
    Exercises
    References

    Matching Supply with Demand: Aggregate Planning
    Overview
    Elements of Aggregate Planning
    Aggregate Planning Strategies
    Linear Programming Approach to Aggregate Planning
    Case Studies
    Problem: Plastic Bottle Inc
    Exercises
    References

    Satisfying Customer Demand: Inventory Management
    Overview
    Economic Order Quantity
    Safety Inventory
    Optimal Product Availability
    Case Studies
    Problem: Business Attire Store
    Exercises
    References

    Moving Products across Supply Chain: Distribution Network Design and Transportation Decision Making
    Overview
    Frameworks for Distribution Network Design and Transportation Decision Making
    Distribution Network Design Models
    Transportation Decision Making
    Case Studies
    Problem: Dragon Furniture Enterprise
    Exercises
    References

    Supplier Selection Methodology
    Overview
    Supplier Performance Measures
    Supplier Selection Methods
    6.4 Contracts to Increase Supply Chain Profitability
    State of the Art in Supplier Selection
    References

    Supply Chain Simulation Game
    Overview
    Sales Contract and Aggregate Plan
    Simulation and Profit Analysis
    Notes for Using the Simulation Game
    Index

    Biography

    Samuel H. Huang

    "… written for engineering students and field engineers who are in charge of the execution and improvement of the logistic systems and supply chain management. This concise book covers all the essential practical technologies related to the optimization of the supply chain management. More importantly, the book is well organized with a number of real cases and a simulation game which can be the most attractive merits to readers and students."
    —Qiang SU, School of Economics & Management, Tongji University, Yangpu District, Shanghai, China

    "… prepared by an engineer for engineers. It presents in clear and concise prose the models, practices and recent developments in modern supply chain engineering. As an engineering Professor teaching supply chain for many years, I believe this book provides an excellent textbook for both upper level undergraduate and graduate students. With the case studies and practical examples, it also provides practitioners tools with illustrations to better manage their supply chain."
    —Jianzhi (James ) Li, University of Texas – Pan American, Edinburg Texas, USA

    "It could be used as support for courses delivered at undergraduate level, ….. the case studies are based on real companies and give an interesting perspective on how to implement the techniques and tools."
    Production Planning & Control, April 2016