Supply Chain Management and Logistics – QLS Level 1

Build a practical introduction to how supply chains are planned, coordinated, manufactured and delivered with CPDCourses.com. This Course in Supply Chain Management and Logistics is an 80-hour QLS Level 1 programme for beginners who want to understand the fundamental processes that connect suppliers, organisations and customers.

No previous supply-chain experience is required. You can also browse our complete course catalogue or compare other Supply Chain Management courses before choosing the level and subject coverage that best match your learning goals.

Supply Chain Management deals with the connected activities involved in moving goods, services and information from their source towards the customer.

Even a relatively simple supply chain may involve suppliers, purchasing, planning, production, inventory, transportation and delivery. Decisions made at one stage can affect several others.

This Level 1 course introduces these relationships through two focused modules:

1. Introduction to Supply Chain Management in a Global Context
2. Supply Chain Planning, Forecasting & Sourcing

The programme is intentionally introductory. It is designed to establish foundational knowledge rather than provide advanced training in procurement, logistics strategy, international trade or specialist supply-chain technologies.

Who Is This Course Suitable For?

This beginner-level programme may be suitable for:

• Learners completely new to Supply Chain Management
• People exploring logistics and supply-chain work
• Warehouse, retail and administrative personnel
• Small business owners who want to understand basic supply-chain processes
• Employees whose work interacts with planning, production or delivery
• Career changers exploring the subject before committing to more advanced study
• Learners preparing for higher-level Supply Chain Management training

There are no formal entry requirements, making the course accessible if you have not previously studied logistics or Supply Chain Management.

You also do not need a programming or specialist IT background. The course focuses on business and operational concepts.

What Will You Learn?

The course introduces the basic stages and relationships within a supply chain.

By working through the two modules, you can develop your understanding of:

• The purpose of a supply chain
• The roles of suppliers, manufacturers and customers
• How supply-chain activities are planned
• Demand forecasting
• Inventory planning
• Coordination between business functions
• Manufacturing processes
• Order fulfilment
• Transportation
• Delivery operations

These areas provide a foundation for further study in logistics, procurement, inventory, warehousing and broader Supply Chain Management.

Understanding Supply Chain Management and Logistics

Supply Chain Management and logistics are closely connected, but they are not identical.

Supply Chain Management takes the broader view. It considers how different organisations, people, resources and processes work together as goods and services move from their source towards the customer.

Logistics is one part of this wider system and is more closely associated with activities such as movement, storage, transportation, warehousing and delivery.

A simplified supply-chain flow might look like:

How the Two Modules Connect

The structure follows a straightforward progression:

Practical Knowledge You Can Develop

Supply-Chain Awareness

Understand that procurement, planning, manufacturing, logistics and delivery form parts of a connected system.

Planning Awareness

Recognise why demand, inventory and departmental coordination matter when preparing supply-chain operations.

Manufacturing Context

Understand where manufacturing fits between incoming supply and outgoing delivery.

Order-Fulfilment Awareness

Develop an introductory understanding of the processes involved in meeting customer orders.

Transportation Context

Understand transportation as part of the wider process of moving products through a supply chain.

These are foundational learning outcomes. The programme does not claim to make you a qualified supply-chain manager or provide specialist professional competence after 80 hours of study.

Online Learning

The modules are delivered online using learning materials that include reading content and examples.

This format makes the programme accessible to learners who prefer to study remotely rather than attend scheduled classroom sessions.

Online study can also be useful when you need to fit professional development around:

• Employment
• Business responsibilities
• Family commitments
• Other learning

The published duration for the complete programme is 80 hours.

Course Activities and Assessment

The online learning includes reading materials, examples and optional quizzes.

As this is a structured Level 1 programme, you should engage with all  two modules and the learning activities provided rather than treating the course as a standalone reference guide.

The programme is intended to help you build an organised foundation in Supply Chain Management before deciding whether more specialised or advanced study is appropriate.

What Can This Course Support?

Completing this programme may help you:

• Build foundational Supply Chain Management knowledge
• Understand terminology used across supply-chain operations
• See how planning connects with production and delivery
• Develop awareness relevant to logistics-related workplaces
• Prepare for more detailed Supply Chain Management study
• Provide evidence of completed learning

The course does not guarantee employment, promotion or progression into a particular supply-chain role.

Professional value will depend on how the learning relates to your existing experience, responsibilities and future development plans.

Level 1 or Level 2: Which Should You Choose?

This Level 1 course is the more introductory route.

If you want broader study after establishing the fundamentals, our Supply Chain and Logistics Management Level 2 course provides a larger 125-hour programme.

The Level 2 course extends study across three modules covering:

• Introduction to Supply Chain Management in a Global Context
• Supply Chain Planning, Forecasting & Sourcing
• Procurement, manufacturing and delivery operations

Choose Level 1 if you want a shorter foundational introduction.

Consider Level 2 if you are ready for broader coverage that also introduces sourcing and procurement.

How Does This Course Compare With Short Logistics Training?

If you only need to understand logistics rather than complete a broader Level 1 programme, our Logistics with Supply Chain Management learning option provides a more focused introduction to the relationship between logistics and wider supply-chain activity.

Choose the Level 1 certificate when you want structured study across supply-chain fundamentals, planning, manufacturing and delivery.

Choose a focused logistics course when movement, storage and distribution are your main learning priorities.

Supply Chain Management CPD

If you already work in logistics, procurement, inventory or operations and are selecting learning for ongoing professional development rather than introductory study, explore our Supply Chain Management CPD resources and courses.

CPD and QLS endorsement are different concepts, and neither should automatically be interpreted as a regulated qualification.

When learning is required for a specific employer, professional body or development plan, confirm what type of course or evidence of learning is expected before enrolling.