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Harper College

Inventory/Production Control Certificate

Earn a career-ready certificate

Program Facts Liberal Arts icon


  • Credit hours: 12
  • Stackable to degree: No
  • Potential job outcomes: Inventory specialist, material coordinator, materials analyst, production planner

Get ready for a career in inventory/production control with this 12-credit-hour certificate program focused on production planning, MRP and ERP processes, inventory management and materials management.

Take classes in supply chain management, production control, inventory management and advanced planning and integration. All courses are taught by skilled instructors who are extremely knowledgeable across all areas of supply chain management.

Take advantage of Harper's Fast Track program and complete all four certificates in supply chain management in one year.

Certificate program requirements

This 12 credit-hour certificate program is designed for those currently employed in or seeking employment in the fields of inventory management or production control. The coursework is specific to those jobs and careers that focus on production planning, MRP and ERP processes, inventory management, and materials management. The Associate in Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology includes a specialized study area for Supply Chain Management. Please refer to Manufacturing Technology in this section of the catalog if you are interested in pursuing a degree in this discipline.

Program Requirements

Number Course Title Credits
Required
SCM 1013

Description: Introduces Supply Chain Management (SCM) and the end-to-end (E2E) business processes necessary to achieve market and financial value, as well as competitive advantage. SCM is achieved by an organization proactively adopting initiatives to move suppliers and customers into collaborative relationships for mutual gain. Attention is focused on the fundamentals including customer service, fulfillment, demand planning and forecasting, inventory control, procurement, storeroom/warehousing, production control/operations, and physical distributuion/logistics. All topics focus on techonology, financial trends and career paths within the field.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

SCM 1203

Description: Describes the development, scope and objectives of production control. Prerequisite: SCM 101 or consent of program coordinator.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

SCM 1223

Description: Provides an overview of the dynamics of managing inventory within the constantly evolving supply chain environment. Topics include forecasting inventory requirements based upon coustomer and consumer demand, understanding inventory management as related to production plannning, modeling various scenarios based upon demand information, and recognizing the various processes and technology used in inventory management today. Prerequisite: SCM 101, or consent of program coordinator.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

SCM 2263

Description: Focuses on the advanced concepts of planning, processes and technology to ensure a successful supply chain. Covers systems-based Material Requirements Planning (MRP) as part of the broader Enterprise Requirements Planning (ERP) framework and explores problem solving and complex solutions to supply chian integration needs. Focuses on leveraging systems to reduce inventories, set priorities, initiate orders, initiate purchase requirements, develop master production schedules, and optimize the total cost structure within the supply chain. Also explores the concepts of Total Quality Management (TQM) and various elements of LEAN production and processes. Prerequisite: SCM 101 and SCM 120, or consent of program coordinator.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

Total Hours12

Related programs

Students interested in supply chain management may also be interested in:

Resources

Next steps

For more information about logistics courses at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Please note: This program is not financial aid eligible.

Last Updated: 4/3/25