Short Course
Fulfillment Operations Management
Understand the fundamentals of fulfillment operations. Learn how forecasting, inventory, and delivery processes work together to improve performance, control costs, and better serve customers.
Current Offerings
Overview
Who Should Attend
Ideal for professionals new to fulfillment operations and experienced managers seeking process improvements. Managers in retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing will gain practical strategies to strengthen fulfillment performance and customer service. This program also counts toward the Professional Certificate in Supply Chain Operations.
Program Benefits
Improve your ability to:
Develop forecasts with internal teams and customer partners
Design fulfillment networks and order management processes
Manage inventory and understand its costs
Improve distribution center operations
Navigate transportation pricing and carrier relationships
Use financial models to evaluate cost and service tradeoffs
Apply fulfillment best practices across industries
Program Content
Demand management
Balancing supply and demand
Network design
Make-to-stock, make-to-order, and assemble-to-order models
Evaluating fulfillment model tradeoffs in cost, speed, and service
Selecting the right fulfillment approach for customer and business needs
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Activity-Based Costing
Order execution
Measuring the order management process
Why hold inventory?
Calculating inventory carrying cost
Calculating safety stock levels
Functional approaches to managing inventory
Classifying inventory
Roles of the distribution center (DC)
Strategic distribution decisions
Distribution trade-offs
Facility design principles
Primary DC processes
Warehouse Management System (WMS)
Calculating labor and space costs in the DC
Mode overview/market analysis
Financial impact of transportation
Carrier economics/pricing
Anti-trust laws in transportation
FOB/INCO terms
Carrier liability
Faculty
Dr. Brian J. Gibson
Professor Emeritus of Supply Chain Management, Auburn University
Dr. Brian Gibson teaches supply chain management in Auburn's undergraduate, graduate, and executive MBA programs. An award-winning educator and researcher, he brings eight years of retail distribution management experience to his teaching and research. He also developed innovative distance-learning programs recognized by CSCMP.
Steve Tracey
Professor of the Practice in Supply Chain, Smeal College of Business
Steve Tracey is a supply chain executive and educator with global leadership experience. Former Executive Director of Penn State's , he specializes in supply chain strategy, enterprise transformation, emerging technologies, and leadership development.
Professional Certificate
Supply Chain Certificates
This course is one of three programs required for our Supply Chain certificate. Complete the programs in any order and develop expertise in supply chain operations, leadership, and management.
Customize this Program
All programs and delivered to groups of 10 or more. A member of our team will reach out to discuss your goals and explore the right fit for your group. You can also reach us directly at 800-311-6364.
Additional Information
Our Learning Solutions Associate can hold a seat for you in the program. A reservation does not commit you until you submit the online registration form. To reserve your spot, email our office.
A 10% reduced rate on live remote delivery is available to military and government employees, Penn State alumni, individuals pursuing a professional certificate, teams of three or more from the same organization, and CSCR corporate sponsors or affiliated groups.
Yes. This program can count toward a . Complete three qualifying programs at your own pace to earn the certificate. Note: Each program can only count toward one certificate.
After you register, you’ll gain access to your personal learning portal. There, you’ll find pre-program assignments, information about faculty and fellow participants, plus other program resources.
Accepted applicants can transfer to another section if the transfer is arranged more than four weeks before the program begins. Additional transfers are subject to a charge of 10% of the current program fee. A sponsoring company may also identify a replacement candidate, provided the candidate is accepted into the program.
Refunds are based on when written notice of withdrawal is received:
More than six weeks before the program begins: Full refund
Between two and six weeks before the program begins: 50% refund
Two weeks or less before the program begins: No refund
All withdrawals, transfers, and substitutions must be confirmed in writing by the registered participant or their agent. If written notification is not received, the full program fee will be assessed.
Penn State may cancel or postpone a program due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled, registration fees will be refunded; however, Penn State is not responsible for other related expenses, including airline or travel agency cancellation or change fees. If a program is postponed, you may receive a refund or transfer your program fee to another session.
If you have questions about transfers or cancellations, please contact us.