Supply Chain Foundations: Strategic Contract Management

42mIntermediate2025-06-23

Authors

Steven Brown

Educator

Course details

In the dynamic world of supply chain management, contracts are the backbone of successful operations. Whether you're a warehouse supervisor, production manager, purchasing agent, or project manager, you engage with suppliers, contractors, and vendors daily. This course is designed to help you understand the various types of contracts and learn best practices for managing them effectively. Instructor Steven Brown teaches you the skills to navigate complex agreements, mitigate risks, and ensure seamless collaboration across all levels of the supply chain.

Learning objectives
Describe the essential components of a business contract.
Define the nine basic elements that structure a contract.
Explain fixed-price and cost-based contracts.
Summarize the key characteristics of each general type of contract.
Identify effective practices for managing supplier contracts.

Skills covered

Supply Chain ManagementOperations ManagementProject ManagementFoundationsBusiness Analysis and Strategy

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Supply chain contracts are everywhere
02 - What you should know

1. Establishing the Contract

03 - Creating a contractual relationship
04 - Defining a contract

2. Structuring the Contract

05 - Defining the elements of a contract
06 - Selecting a fixed-price contract
07 - Selecting a cost-based contract
08 - Initiating the request for a quote (RFQ)

3. Types of Contracts

09 - Buying goods and services
10 - Managing licenses and leases
11 - Contracting for other business relationships

4. Managing the Contract

12 - Selecting your supplier
13 - Planning for a negotiation
14 - Measuring contractor performance
15 - Dealing with contract changes
16 - Closing the contract

Conclusion

17 - Where to learn more about supply chain contracts