Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are extensively utilised to define the scope of work and key responsibilities between a customer and a service provider. It is fundamental that all relevant personnel are familiar with the defining characteristics of SLAs and how the design and implementation of these contracts can impact operational efficiency and brand reputation. PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO: Understand why SLAs are so important for good business management Apply a process to develop effective SLAs that define service level expectations and drive desired behaviours Identify methods by which the SLA can be measured and performance monitored Have an understanding of KPI’s and the relevance of critical success factors COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE: Procurement cycle, process structure and tendering Best practice contract management and the 3 C’s Supplier performance measurement and KPIs SLA use, benefits and application The SLA development process The monitoring and control of SLAs
This foundational course will help all managers better understand what a procurement function does, including the processes, tools and techniques it employs to reach its goals and how it measures its business performance. PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO: Explain the contribution of procurement to the overall business objectives. Explain the added value that can be obtained by a business when it manages its procurement activities efficiently and effectively. Understand the complex activity of procurement and the challenges it presents for risk management. Develop good quality procurement practices that will manage the expectations of all stakeholders Identify methods by which a procurement function can be measured and performance monitored. Perform contract management activities. Understand ways in which improvements might be identified and implemented. COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE: Procurement and business objectives Stakeholder Management Commercial Specifications Whole Life Costing Targeted procurement Procurement planning Supplier Appraisal and selection RFQ & ITT & Evaluation Contract Management
The course helps participants understand the role of demand and inventory planning in the wider context of supply chain management. It aims to demonstrate how to improve the alignment between supply and demand to maintain good levels of customer service and on-shelf availability whilst eliminating excess stock and reducing inventory investment. PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO: • Understand the role of demand management and its benefits • Identify the key demand characteristics and patterns; learn how to use them to improve forecast accuracy • Develop an understanding of key qualitative and quantitative forecasting methods • Learn how to conduct fundamental inventory analyses with a view to achieving the appropriate trade-off between stock and service level COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE: The role of Demand Management • The end-to-end view of Supply Chain Management • Demand Characteristics and the Product Life Cycle • Demand patterns • Push and pull systems Background to forecasting • The forecasting Process • Time-series methods of forecasting • Calculating forecast errors Inventory Analysis • Categorisation of stock • ABC Analysis • Economic order quantity and minimum order quantity • Safety stock and stock cover Inventory Management • Materials requirements planning (MRP) • Stock replenishment systems • Practical inventory management • The cost of managing stock
The core principles gained from this course will help delegates have a better understanding of how to manage the relationships between sales and marketing stakeholders on the demand side and the manufacturing and other operational stakeholders on the supply side. PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO: • Take a different perspective on traditional data such as sales history and forecasts, as well as time-phased inventory projections and production capacity. • Recognise how their forecasts impact manufacturing schedules and inventory levels. • Assess whether they are producing enough products to meet sales demand. • Recognise how production is tied to finance and see the financial impact of production decisions, so appropriate adjustments may be then undertaken. COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE: What is S&OP? – Introduction – Definition and benefits S&OP processes – What information is required? – The stages of the S&OP process (including inputs & outputs) The integration of S&OP into a business – Critical success factors for an effective implementation – Typical roles and responsibility matrix
This foundational course will help all managers to better understand what a supply chain is and how their roles impact and interact with, their end-to-end supply chain process. PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO: • Understand the role of the supply chain within the wider business context • Become aware of the fundamental trade-offs in the supply chain (e.g. supply chain cost vs service level, efficiency vs flexibility etc.) • Understand the importance of supply chain planning and be able to identify its key components • Develop awareness of the key challenges in modern inventory management and distribution; become familiar with tested practices that allow responding to these challenges • Understand the meaning of essential supply chain terminology • Understand how supply chain performance affects company financial results COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE: • What is supply chain management? Why is it important? • The importance of cost versus service • Purchasing and procurement • Manufacturing processes • Demand management • Warehouse and inventory management • Logistics and transport • Risk management
This course provides exceptional training on the principles and processes required to successfully operate a warehouse. PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO: • Learn about the characteristics of a warehouse and its function • Understand the basic principles of effective layout design and product storage prioritization • Gain an understanding of modern practices in warehouse operations, such as Kanban and 5S • Understand the importance of packaging and data inputs to improve the performance of pick and pack operations • Understand the role of KPIs in warehouse and supply chain management COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE: Material storage as part of supply chain management Evaluation of outsourcing issues Challenges of codification and traceability Performance management Automated and mechanized systems Different storage methodologies Use of Warehouse management systems Optimum cube utilization and labour productivity Picking and packing management systems Goods receipt and dispatch
This course will move a manager’s focus away from simply reviewing last year’s financial performance, toward the development of an interactive approach, designed to really understand financial performance and the consequence of inaction. PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN HOW TO: • The confidence to use budgeting tools and techniques • An understanding of the demands of financial management • The ability to analyse and challenge financial and accounting • Information • An understanding of fixed and variable costs and how these affect the sales price and profitability • Understanding the challenges of overhead allocation • Understanding the P&L • Developing awareness of fundamental investment appraisal techniques COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE: • Budget Definitions & Planning • Designing and developing a budget • Performance reporting systems & cost control • Zero-based budgeting systems • Understanding business costs (FC & VC) • Understanding variance analysis • Profit and Loss & Balance Sheet
This course is designed to provide delegates that intend to work as part of a confined space rescue team with an introduction to planning and executing casualty rescue procedures and the equipment which may be required. This is intended for delegates who already hold a high risk (full Breathing apparatus) qualification such as our CS2. Note: A pre-requisite qualification is required to complete this course. The ESS CS2 course (https://www.vp-ess.com/training/confined-spaces/cs2-(high-risk)-confined-space-entry-full-breathing-apparatus,-self-rescue-and-ba-control/) must have been completed within 6 months as a pre-requisite for this CS3 course. Book via our website @ https://www.vp-ess.com/training/confined-spaces/cs3-introduction-to-working-as-a-member-of-a-confined-space-rescue-team/ or via email at: esstrainingsales@vpplc.com or phone on: 0800 000 346
Confined Space Risk Management and Permits - This course includes a basic level of confined space knowledge with the opportunity to use confined space equipment in a simulated environment and a team exercise of creating and reviewing a safe system of work. Note: A pre-requisite qualification is required to complete this course. Day 1 is a CS1 course and the Confined Space Risk Management (CSRM) can be completed as a 1 Day add-on. Any of following courses can be completed as a pre-requisite within 12 weeks of the CSRM; CS1, CS2, 6160-09. Book via our website @ https://www.vp-ess.com/training/confined-spaces/confined-space-risk-management-and-permits/ or via email at: esstrainingsales@vpplc.com or phone on: 0800 000 346
Focussing on utility tracing products and established safe systems of works the course aims to provide delegates with sufficient information, knowledge and confidence to conduct a utility survey and mark up. CITB grant may be available for organisations registered with the Construction Industry Training Board Book via our website @ https://www.vp-ess.com/training/utility-detection/utility-tracing-including-use-of-precision-locators/ or via email at: esstrainingsales@vpplc.com or phone on: 0800 000 346