Introduction

Effective planning and inventory management is a critical driver of supply chain efficiency, cost control, and customer satisfaction. Organisations must balance demand and supply while ensuring optimal stock levels, minimising waste, and maintaining service quality. Poor inventory practices can lead to excess carrying costs, stock shortages, and reduced operational performance.

The Certified in Planning and Inventory Management training course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of inventory control principles, demand forecasting techniques, and supply planning methodologies. It focuses on practical tools and strategies that help organisations align procurement, production, and logistics activities to improve end-to-end supply chain performance.

The course also highlights how modern technologies and data-driven approaches can be used to enhance forecasting accuracy, improve inventory visibility, and support more effective decision-making across supply chain operations.

This Certified in Planning and Inventory Management training course will highlight:

Key Learning Outcomes

At the end of this Certified in Planning and Inventory Management training course, participants will be able to:

Training Methodology

This training course uses a highly interactive approach combining lectures, case studies, group discussions, workshops, and practical exercises. Real-world examples from different industries are used to strengthen understanding and ensure participants can apply planning and inventory management tools effectively in their own organisational context.

Certified in Planning and Inventory Management

Who Should Attend?

This Certified in Planning and Inventory Management training course is suitable for:

  • Supply Chain and Inventory Managers
  • Demand and Supply Planners
  • Procurement and Purchasing Professionals
  • Warehouse and Distribution Managers
  • Operations and Logistics Professionals
  • Business Analysts working in supply chain functions

Course Outline

Day 1

Introduction to Planning and Inventory Management

  • The importance of inventory in the supply chain
  • Key inventory management principles
  • Relationship between demand planning, procurement, and inventory
  • Cost of carrying inventory and inventory accuracy
  • Service level measurement and optimization
Day 2

Demand Planning & Forecasting Techniques

  • The impact of demand forecasting on supply chain success.
  • Balancing demand and supply
  • The impact of seasonality, trends, and external factors
  • Qualitative methods (Delphi method, market research)
  • Quantitative methods (time series analysis, moving averages, regression analysis)
Day 3

Inventory Control Strategies & Optimization

  • Just-in-Time (JIT) vs. Just-in-Case (JIC) strategies
  • Calculating Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and reorder points for inventory optimization
  • Safety stock determination and dynamic stock adjustments
  • Balancing cost and service level objectives
  • Multi-echelon inventory management
  • Warehouse layout and inventory storage optimization
Day 4

Supply Planning & Materials Management

  • Aligning material availability with Master Production Scheduling (MPS) and Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
  • Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP) and Capacity Planning
  • Aligning inventory planning with procurement and production
  • Supplier lead time management and order planning
  • Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) and Collaborative Planning
  • Managing stock replenishment effectively
Day 5

Technology and Risk Management

  • Role of ERP, WMS, and automated inventory systems
  • AI, IoT, and blockchain in supply chain visibility
  • Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks
  • Managing disruptions (pandemics, supplier failures, demand fluctuations)
  • Business continuity planning for inventory control

International Standards & Professional Alignment

Our training courses are aligned with internationally recognised professional standards and frameworks across leadership, strategy, finance, governance, risk, compliance, and audit. By integrating globally trusted models, we ensure learners develop practical, relevant, and industry-recognised capabilities.

Our trainings draw on leading international standards and professional frameworks, including ISO, ISACA, COSO, OECD, IIA, FATF, Basel, IFRS/ISSB, GRI, NIST, CPD, ILM and the OECD AI Principles. This alignment ensures consistency with global best practices across financial management, risk oversight, digital governance, sustainability, and strategic decision-making..

Designed in alignment with globally recognised professional bodies, our courses support continuous professional development, strengthen organisational capability, and provide clear pathways toward professional certifications valued worldwide.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Reserve your slot today and start your learning journey with us.

Got a Question?

Reach out to us anytime — we're here to help and guide you.

Find the Right Professional Training Course

Use our course finder to explore training by capability area, role focus, location, or delivery format.

Search Courses