Rutgers Institute for Management Education & Development

Rutgers – Graybar Supply Chain Management Certificate Program

Program Description

To successfully compete in today’s electrical and telecommunications distribution industry, Graybar must continually deliver value to its customers while effectively managing its resources and generating a profit.  To meet these challenges, Graybar requires experienced managers who are trained in the dynamics of Supply Chain Management, with a special focus on wholesale distribution. 

By examining managerial behavior, organizational strategies, incentive alignment, legal considerations, operational execution and other management topics, this program provides a framework that allows participants to integrate and apply proven supply chain management strategies within their scope of responsibility.

Program Objectives

After successfully completing this program, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the broad responsibilities of a manager at Graybar and the interdependencies of the various departments within the organization;
2. Improve branch operations;
3. Understand, leverage, and deliver the unique value of Graybar’s distribution services to meet customers’ business needs;
4. Improve motivation by addressing individual and organizational behavior issues that affect supply chain performance;
5. Improve asset management by using tools and technology to ensure accurate inventory management, adequate inventory investment, and effective logistical distribution;
6. Improve branch profitability through improved sales team management and financial controls.

How the Program Works

The Rutgers – Graybar Supply Chain Management Certificate Program combines faculty instruction from Rutgers University with online Upper Division Management Education Tracks from Thomson Higher Education.  Day-to-day course activities—threaded discussions, live chats, and e-mail communication—are facilitated by an online instructor provided by Rutgers who is a subject-matter expert.  There are 5 modules, each consisting of 6 weeks of instruction and 2 weeks to work a case study.  Participants are expected to spend approximately 8 hours per week on coursework.

Curriculum

The program addresses the strategic sides of supply chain management and examines today’s most important operational, technological, sales and logistical imperatives present today.

Module 1: General Management, Sales and Marketing

Organizational Development
Leadership
Economics and Management
Marketing Skills
Sales Management
Marketing Management 

Module 2: Operations Management

Operational Theory
Procurement
Physical Distribution
Services Management 

Module 3: Accounting, Finance, Corporate Control and Governance

Accounting Theory
Accounting Fundamentals
Managerial Accounting
Finance Theory
Managerial Finance
Fiduciary Responsibility
Corporate Control
Corporate Citizenship 

Module 4: Human Resource Management, Information Technology

Employee Development
Human Resources Fundamentals
Information Technology Fundamentals
Information Technology Management 

Module 5: Distribution Supply Chain

ERP in Distribution
Working with ERP Systems
Purchasing Operations and Structure
Strategic Sourcing Process
Reducing Total Outsourcing Costs
Inventory Management Fundamentals
Warehousing Decisions
Transportation Management 

Online Instructor Profile

Tim Perlick is a Senior Associate of Rutgers University School of Business.  Tim has over 20 years of supply chain experience, working in various leadership positions with Graybar, McMaster-Carr Supply Company and Flextronics International.  Tim has his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his MBA from the University of Chicago.