Category: Logistics and Food Processing
Level 3
Supply Chain Practitioner
(Fast Moving Consumer Goods)
Apprenticeship
Organising and coordinating a network of interconnected businesses in the provision of goods and services to the end customer.
Key apprenticeship information
Title of embedded diploma/qualification:
This apprenticeship standard is set at level 3
Additional Functional Skills:
Level 2 English and maths - 19 yrs and over this is optional
Awarding Organisation:
Training Qualifications UK
Qualification duration:
30 months and 12 weeks End Point Assessment
Who is suitable:
Those in Procurement and Supply Chains or Provision of Goods
Non-levy employer contribution (5%) - £750 Levy paying employer contribution - £15,000
Funding value and cost:
About your course
Effective and dynamic supply chains are particularly important in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors, for example food & drink, retail or consumables, where products have one or more of the following characteristics: high volume, fast turnover and frequently purchased. FMCG have a short shelf life, either as a result of high consumer demand or because the product deteriorates rapidly.
FMCG Supply Chain Practitioners will work in one or more supply chain functions. Typical duties could include forecasting customer demand as a Junior Demand Planner, liaising with the factories schedule production as a Junior Supply Planner, processing orders as a Customer Service Operative and working with hauliers and Distribution Centres as an Assistant Transport Planner.
They have a comprehensive understanding of the entire supply chain, are responsible for their impact on each function and strive to deliver the best value for their business and customer. Due to the high number of interactions both within and outside of the business, they need strong relationship building, influencing, stakeholder management and communication skills alongside sound analytical, information technology and numeracy skills, with an ability to work in a fast paced environment with frequently changing
What you will learn
Throughout the apprenticeship you’ll develop a range of new knowledge, skills and behaviours;
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End-to-end characteristics and processes of the FMCG supply chain in different contexts
Critical supply chain key performance indicators: inventory, forecast accuracy, plan attainment, customer service, vehicle utilisation, on shelf availability and waste, quality and value in line with business requirements and expectations, commerciality; and their impact on other parts of the business
Key legislation, policies and procedures that influence the supply chain: health and safety, environmental, sustainability and others relevant to the business context such as large goods vehicle (LGV) driver hours and food safety/safe manufacturing practices
The characteristics and specific needs of different customer groups: retailers, business-to-business, ecommerce and export
Information technology (IT) systems for the supply chain: Excel, material requirements planning (MRP) systems and business planning systems
The key principles of Continuous Improvement (CI) Management and Problem Solving
The importance of new products and how a product is costed
The principles of capacity planning
Procurement: the principles of buying – strategic and operational decision making (influences, risk, cost); and legal and customer requirements (anti-bribery policies, ethical approaches and frameworks)
Forecasting: the levers and influences on customer and consumer demand (market trends, weather, competitor activity and seasonality); the impact of merchandising on supply chain decisions; and others relevant to the business context
Plan manufacture: the principles of developing and implementing a supply plan taking account of capacity, product life and the key drivers of success
Customer service: the principles of order capture and management, from order receipt to delivery through to customers, the importance of customer fulfilment
Logistics: the importance of logistics cost, the impact of short-lead time and high demand volatility logistics on network planning
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Prioritise the flow of FMCG products or services based on evolving and changing information; meeting critical deadlines to ensure the efficient running of the FMCG supply chain, including managing unexpected demand
Lead and participate in everyday problem solving activities required for the FMCG industry where small process improvements can have a significant improvement on the rest of the supply chain, using recognised techniques: 5 Whys and fishbone analysis
Use continuous improvement techniques to improve performance in the FMCG supply chain, such as forecast accuracy
Lead the creation/development of Standard Operating Procedures to ensure improvements are documented and shared around the business
Manipulate and interpret constantly changing data sets to inform decision making in the supply chain function(s)
Analyse large amounts of data to identify key trends and themes that affect the FMCG supply chain; make recommendations to internal and external customers, the world of increasing data availability sources may include customer electronic point of sale (EPOS) data, historic forecast vs. dispatch data, historic customer shipping/delivery data
Use IT systems for the supply chain; Excel and company and customer systems
Complete supply chain documentation for audit requirements
Develop and manage a small project plan within a supply chain function(s) to improve operational performance
Identify, manage and escalate risks to the business, such as customers significantly exceeding their forecast, factory breakdowns, supplier failures, delivery failures and customer relationship issues through to not fulfilling an order in full, to ensure that products produced and delivered against very short lead times are available whenever and wherever consumers choose to purchase, at the lowest possible cost
Communicate using appropriate methods and FMCG terminology; verbal, email, face to face
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Safe working: ensures safety of self and others, challenges safety issues
Responsiveness to change: demonstrates and encourages curiosity to foster new ways of thinking and working to ensure economic benefits are maximised
Pride in work: aims for excellence, time management, adherence to deadlines
Have courage/conviction in their decisions and demonstrates ownership of work
Acts in alignment with the business vision and values, desire to learn about the FMCG industry, acts as an ambassador
Builds good relationships with others, works collaboratively, contributes ideas and challenges appropriately, leads by example
Tenacious approach to problem-solving by working to identify and ensure root causes are resolved to ensure supply chains remain flexible and agile
Highly effective communicator at all levels and with a variety of stakeholders: always acting with integrity and respect
How will your qualification be delivered
Our sector expert staff will support you to achieve the apprenticeship. We have highly skilled and knowledgeable staff with significant experience of working in the industry who will be able to share their experiences and support you. All learning is either on a 1-2-1 basis or small group webinars so you have the best experience possible with Phoenix 4 Training. You will have an eportfolio to gather and store all your evidence to support your apprenticeship.
End Point Assessment
vTo successfully complete the Apprenticeship, each Apprentice must pass an independent End Point Assessment, which includes:
Written Knowledge Test
Workplace Project and Presentation
Professional Dialogue and Interview
The end-point assessment must be completed over a maximum total assessment time of two days, within an EPA period lasting typically for three months after the apprentice has met the EPA gateway requirements.
What you can do next
Having successfully completed this qualification, learners will have the opportunity to progress to the following: