About the Course

In today’s increasingly interconnected marketplace, procurement and supply‐chain professionals must navigate complex global networks to secure the right goods at the right time and cost.
The Global Sourcing and Logistics course was developed to address the strategic and operational challenges posed by cross-border procurement. From identifying and vetting overseas suppliers to managing multimodal transportation, freight-forwarding operations, and customs-clearing requirements. Through a blend of real-world case studies, best-practice frameworks, and hands-on simulations, participants will gain the skills and insights needed to build resilient, cost-effective supply chains, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive performance improvements in their organizations.

Target Participants

This course is ideal for procurement officers and managers tasked with sourcing goods and services internationally; logistics and supply‐chain coordinators responsible for designing and optimizing transport networks; freight-forwarding and customs-clearing agents who handle booking, documentation, and regulatory compliance; as well as import/export compliance professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of cross-border trade procedures and risk-mitigation tools.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Design and execute a global sourcing strategy that balances cost, quality, and risk
• Map and optimize international logistics networks, including multimodal transport
• Manage freight-forwarding operations—from booking to cargo tracking
• Navigate customs-clearing procedures, documentation and regulatory compliance
• Apply Incoterms, insurance and trade-finance tools to mitigate cross-border risks

Course Duration

Classroom-based – 10 Days

Online – 14 Days

Course Outline

Global Sourcing Strategy

• Market research & supplier identification
• Total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis
• Ethical, sustainable & ESG sourcing practices
• Supplier qualification, audits & scorecards
• Negotiation tactics & contract structuring
• Supplier relationship management & development

International Logistics Fundamentals

• Designing multimodal transport networks
• Cost modeling for air, ocean, road & rail
• Cold-chain, temperature-controlled & hazardous cargo
• Reverse logistics & returns management
• Warehouse layout, storage systems & slotting
• Inventory optimization techniques (e.g. just-in-time)

Freight Forwarding Operations

• Booking workflows & cargo consolidation
• House vs. master Bills of Lading
• Dangerous goods classification & handling
• Cargo insurance principles & claims procedures
• Track-and-trace platforms & KPIs
• Roles & responsibilities: forwarder vs. customs broker

Tips for working effectively with forwarding & clearing agents

• Selecting reliable partners
• Communication protocols & escalation paths
• Service-level expectations & performance reviews

Customs Clearing & Compliance

• HS code classification & valuation methods
• Duty & tax calculation (ad valorem, specific duties)
• Documentation: invoices, packing lists, COOs, certificates
• Preferential trade programs & FTAs
• Restricted-party screening & sanctions compliance
• Automated customs systems & e-declaration
• Real-world customs delay case studies
  • Common causes (inspection holds, documentation errors)
  • Mitigation tactics & “fast-track” procedures

Full-Cost Import Calculation

• Breaking down landed cost components: duties, freight, insurance, handling
• Using cost templates & landed-cost calculators
• Incorporating currency fluctuations, port charges & demurrage
• Scenario exercises: comparing different sourcing origins

Trade-Finance, Risk & Performance

• Incoterms® 2020 – seller vs. buyer obligations
• Letters of credit, documentary collections & guarantees
• Open account vs. advance payment
• Credit risk assessment & mitigation tools
• Financing solutions: forfaiting, supply-chain finance

Managing port-delay risks

• Identifying lead-time variability
• Contingency planning & buffer stock strategies
• Insurance covers for demurrage and detention

Supply-Chain Risk Management & Continuity

• Mapping & assessing supply-chain vulnerabilities
• Political, currency & supplier-credit risks
• Business continuity planning & crisis response
• Insurance coverages (marine, liability, political risk)
• Cyber-physical security for logistics networks
• Scenario-based tabletop simulations

Digitalization & Emerging Technologies

• IoT for real-time freight monitoring
• Blockchain in provenance & smart contracts
• AI/ML for demand forecasting & route optimization
• Robotics & automation in warehousing
• Cloud-based TMS/WMS integration best practices
• Data-analytics dashboards & KPI visualization

Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Defining and tracking SCOR metrics (e.g., OTIF, DIO)
• Lean, Six Sigma & Kaizen in supply chains
• Cost-to-serve analysis & activity-based costing
• Supplier scorecards & SLAs
• Continuous improvement workshops & A3 reports
• Change management & stakeholder engagement

Training Approach

This course is delivered by our seasoned trainers who have vast experience as expert professionals in their respective fields of practice. The course is taught through a mix of practical activities, presentations, group works and case studies.

Training notes and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued a certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs.