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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117924  Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management 
ORIGINATOR
Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Procurement 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-11-20  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management qualification seeks to develop skills for professionals and equip them to optimise organisation profitability through effective management of the supply chain. Ever-increasing customer demands on product price, quality, variety, lead-time, and the need to pursue mass customisation have forced companies to focus attention not only on internal operations but also on ensuring coordinated response on the part of the entire supply chain, including suppliers and distributors.

The qualification will help learners to sharpen their skills to leverage the advantages of a well-managed supply chain. Furthermore, the purpose of such a qualification is to further enhance the South African supply chain professional industry and upscale knowledge and skills of learners who are aspiring to work in the supply chain ambit. The benefit positions the economy favourably allied by improved customer needs and demands and creating a viable economy which entrepreneurs thrive and do not face economic loss in addition to competing nationally and globally.

The exit outcomes will be achieved by analysing supply chain concepts and how the activities interrelate within supply chain meets is aligned to the purpose of seeking to develop skills for professionals and equip them to optimise organisation's profitability through effective management of supply chain. Furthermore, learners will have obtained critical-analytical thinking and insight into developing and overseeing supply chain projects from being exposed to current and futuristic trends that are on a global and national level for best practice. This will also challenge higher-ordered thinking to challenge new ideas for better practice.

The learners' exit learning outcomes of being able to select appropriate tools to achieve optimal supply chain process, value and service improvement are met by learning new ways to interact and engage with customers in the retail sector such that their skills are sharpened. In this way, they will not only learn best practise but better practise for further supply and demand activities. Also, the Exit Level Outcomes of assessing and questioning leadership in the ambit of the supply chain through learning best practise and being acquainted with international and national practise that will aspire learners to choose better techniques of improving supply chain management.

Rationale:
Mhelembe and Mafini (2019) state that in South Africa, trade and supply are huge and in 2020, the South African government has invested an estimated cost of R3.2 trillion in large-scale projects related to water, transport, electricity, telecommunications and infrastructure. The contribution to the economy by supply chain management in South Africa is significant to growth. However, the system is flawed and make the economy volatile that leads to loss and negative performance. This weakens the South African economy and lends to reduced performance globally. Where we fail dismally is in comparison with the rest of the world (Blog, 2016).

With the rapid pace of business and with the integration of world economies, it has become necessary to understand the field of supply chain management as it touches major issues such as the rapid growth of multinational corporations and strategic partnerships; global expansion and sourcing; the impact of fluctuating oil prices and environmental concerns whereby each of these issues dramatically affect corporate strategy and the bottom line (Kumar and Bala, 2013). Because of these emerging trends, supply chain management is the most critical business discipline in the world today. Supply Chain Management is increasingly important to government, organisation and companies in a competitive market across a variety of sectors. This qualification is therefore intended to meet the industry needs for purchasing, supply chain and operations managers in all sectors. It is designed to provide the learner with generic management, human relationships, and specific supply chain and operations knowledge and skills which can be applied in different sectors.

It provides learners with skills to become competent supply chain and operations workers and managers on both functional and strategic levels. Therefore, the impetus to study this module for current and futuristic trends in supply chain management is immense. This qualification aims to provide a synthesis and application of specific issues in supply chain management. This is to further equip learners with a sound fundamental knowledge base and basic skills regarding supply chain management to further function and apply relevant knowledge or skill applicably to meet the international and national needs of the economy.

The range of learners this qualification aims to attract are qualified practising supply chain employees or those aspiring to become supply chain specialists. The learning pathway within which this qualification resides involves the classroom where theoretical knowledge will be acquired. Concerning the practical setting, it is assumed that all learners doing this qualification are working in supply chain environments such as the food, beverage and manufacturing environment. Therefore, the place of work will be the other learning pathway for which the theoretical knowledge will be practised in terms of managerial skills.

This qualification aims to keep South African industry at the cutting edge of new development through access to both local and international knowledge. To further enhance the development of supply chain practice, learners will be exposed to knowledge or current and future trends for best practice. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The institution recognises the importance of the RPL in ensuring that learners that possess skills acquired through life or work experience and non-formal education are catered for. The RPL assessment will focus on ways of evaluating a person's lifelong experiences (formal and informal) against a set of pre-determined criteria.

Recognition of Prior Learning takes account of formal study, age, and work experience, studies that were undertaken for personal gain/interest, company-based training, industry-based training, working with experts in the field, internships, and life experience.

Credit is granted for RPL when in the assessment of the institution's selection committee, the learner's knowledge and skills correspond to the learning outcomes of the qualification or specific module for which credit is applied. It is important to remember that the selection Committee will focus on the quality and not the quantity of prior learning and/or experience. In keeping with the national imperatives of widening access and in line with the institution's mission, learners may be admitted via the alternate admissions' route of the RPL.

Some of the criteria that are used in evaluating 'non-standard' learners include, the learners' motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies; the job description, covering a relevant area of work, giving examples of tasks carried out, possibly supplying references; the nature and level of life/ work experience and prior study, and the learning which has resulted from such experience; and details of in-company short qualifications, length, the content of material covered, standard achieved; the clarity of the learner's educational goals and objectives; and the extent to which the learner can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the qualification.

A Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) will be obtained from the learner and evaluated by an RPL assessor.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Business Science in Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Strategic Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
  • Operations Management, 20 Credits.
  • Business Research Methods, 20 Credits.
  • Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
  • Global Strategic Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
  • Logistics in Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Analyse supply chain concepts and how activities interact within supply chains familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
    2. Critically assess competition drivers, develop and lead strategic supply chain projects.
    3. Select responsive tools and techniques to achieve optimal supply chain process, value, and service improvements.
    4. Determine and implement best practice project management tools and techniques in Supply Chain Management.
    5. Evaluate demand management and forecasting techniques in the context of supply chain efficiency and responsiveness.
    6. Assess the implications of leadership and change management approaches and techniques, and how they impact on Lean implementation and Lean and Agile supply chain strategies.
    7. Develop a suitable strategy for implementing Lean strategies to achieve sustainable operations and supply chain improvements.
    8. Resolve the complexities inherent in organisation-wide and supply chain projects and lead Lean SCM teams. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Conduct contextually-related supply chain performance analysis, strategic sourcing, supplier management and lean supply chains.
  • Determine supply chain practices and supply chain uncertainty.
  • Identify and evaluate emerging initiatives for the strategic supply chain management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and scope of operations management functions with a business and/or manufacturing environment.
  • Analyse and master strategic operations and supply problem situations to balance technical arguments concerning their solution.
  • Assess and determine the requirements for making decisions related to each part of the operations function of its impact on the supply chain activities of an organisation.
  • Make managerial decisions to ensure that effective utilisation of resources is achieved resulting in a competitive advantage for the organisation's supply chain.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply data analysis techniques to achieve optimal supply chain process, value, and service improvements.
  • Construct and apply a range of quantitative techniques for effective supply chain performance analysis.
  • Conduct supply chain performance analysis, strategic sourcing and supplier management, and lean supply chains.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Develop a comprehensive framework for the formulation and implementation of strategies in an international context.
  • Analyse global strategy implementation and control in a business and/or manufacturing environment.
  • Examine international issues in strategy formulation and implementation.
  • Evaluate an appropriate framework for worldwide operating strategies inclusive of an understanding of the competitive advantage.
  • Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and scope of operations management functions in a business and/or manufacturing environment.
  • Analyse and develop the strategic operations and supply problem situations for the mastery of the balanced technical arguments concerning their solution.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how operations management decisions can influence the overall strategic objectives of an organisation.
  • Examine how effective operations strategies are developed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Examine the concepts of global strategic management to have defined, developed and administered a strategy and structure for a worldwide business.
  • Examine the effectiveness of integrated supply chain planning and optimisation.
  • Identify and evaluate emerging initiatives for the strategic supply chain management.
  • Analyse global strategy implementation and control.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Discuss both the theoretical and practical rationale for international business activities.
  • Examine the significance and complexity of culture in international trade, its impact and particular problems faced in developing countries.
  • Develop a framework for the formulation and implementation of strategies in an international context.
  • Examine International issues in strategy formulation and implementation.
  • Evaluate an appropriate framework for worldwide operating strategies with an accompanying understanding of the competitive advantage this would bring.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessments will centre on the extent to which the learner has grasped the concepts, the application of theory to a practical context, the methods of research used, a balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification, and the use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.

    Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study. These assessment methods include Case studies, Report writing, Interpretative and analytical problem solving, and Work-based assignments.

    Formative and summative assessment:
    Formative assessment implies being supportive of learning, non-judgemental and focused on providing constructive feedback or criticism to the learner. It takes place during the learning process and informs the planning of future learning activities: Self-and formative assessment takes place through case studies, assignments, including the writing of proposals and financial plans.

    Summative assessment implies assessment to be mainly concerned with summing up the learning process and therefore usually takes place at the end of the relevant learning process. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the qualification. Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, particularly in the case studies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Ireland.
    Institution: Institute of Technology Carlow.
    Qualification Title: Higher Diploma in Business in Supply Chain Management.

    This qualification is comparable to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
    This one-year qualification has been designed for learners of business and non-business disciplines to equip them with the necessary knowledge and competencies in Supply Chain Management and business. In achieving all of this, supply chain management takes on many of the functions of a business including Forecasting, Inventory Management, Purchasing Management, Warehouse Management, Information Technology and Transport Management. Management professionals in logistics and supply chain management also work closely with other areas of business including human resource management, manufacturing, marketing and finance. The modules in the qualification compare favourably with the institution's modules, namely, Purchasing and Supplier Management, Strategic Management, Supply Chain Planning and Control, Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Strategic Procurement, Work-Based Research Project or Dissertation. The Institute of Technology Carlow is accredited by the QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland).

    Country: New Zealand.
    Institution: University of Auckland.
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Operations and Supply Chain Management.

    The institution's qualification also compares well with the New Zealand Postgraduate Diploma that is a qualification with at least 72 Credits of the 120 Credits on Level 8 of the NZQF as well as the discrete Bachelor Honours Degree of 120 Credits on Level 8. The New Zealand Postgraduate diploma is described as follows at the policy level: A Postgraduate Diploma is designed to extend and deepen an individual's knowledge and skills by building on attainment in the principal module (s) of the qualifying Degree, Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate. A Postgraduate Diploma prepares an individual for independent research and scholarship in the principal subject of the diploma. The modules for this qualification are Operations management, Business process design, Business logistics, E-business and Supply chains, Production planning and; scheduling and Quality management. The University of Auckland is accredited by the New Zealand Academic Quality Agency. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Marketing and Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Management in Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Management Sciences in Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Learnfast Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    2. Work Skills Resources CC 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.