Procurement, Warehousing, and Material Handling

In this course, students will understand the strategic role of the procurement function, which goes beyond operations and ensures materials are available in the right quantity, quality, time, and at the lowest cost. The procurement cycles, modes (routine, emergency, and speculative), and supplier selection based on technical and commercial criteria will be studied, always emphasizing ethics, transparency, and collaborative negotiation.

The module also addresses the classification and coding of materials, highlighting the identification of characteristics, standardization, and use of alphanumeric codes to simplify management, reduce redundancies, and generate economies of scale. Warehouse management is explored through layout, fixed and dynamic addressing systems, environmental conservation, and the application of the FIFO method, ensuring that products are accessible in an efficient and safe way.

Finally, the module presents materials handling and workplace safety, including principles for optimizing internal transport, load unitization, mechanization, and PPE. The continuous integration of procurement, warehousing, and handling is highlighted as a critical factor for minimizing operating costs, increasing responsiveness to market demands, and ensuring safe and efficient operations.