Procurement and MaterialsDemand Planning and Forecasting for Procurement
Procurement is blamed for stockouts and for excess stock, both of which usually originate in a demand signal nobody owned. This course puts that signal under control. Delegates work through demand patterns and their classification, forecasting methods from moving averages and exponential smoothing through to seasonality and trend, and forecast error measurement that shows whether a method is actually working. Collaborative input from operations, projects and maintenance is covered, since much industrial demand is knowable rather than statistical. Safety stock and service level are calculated. Consumption analysis and slow moving stock follow. The course closes on the planning cycle and on managing a forecast nobody will commit to.
Course objectives
- Classify demand patterns and choose an appropriate method
- Apply moving average, exponential smoothing, trend and seasonality
- Measure forecast error and judge whether a method works
- Gather knowable demand from operations, projects and maintenance
- Calculate safety stock against a defined service level
- Analyse consumption and act on slow moving stock
- Run a planning cycle when nobody will commit to a forecast
Who should attend
- Demand and supply planners
- Procurement and inventory staff
- Stores and warehouse controllers
- Maintenance planners requesting spares
- Supply chain analysts
Course outline
- 01Stockouts and excess from the same cause
- 02Demand patterns and classification
- 03Moving averages and exponential smoothing
- 04Trend and seasonality
- 05Forecast error measurement
- 06Collaborative and knowable demand
- 07Safety stock and service level
- 08Consumption analysis, slow movers and the planning cycle
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 to 16 October 2026 | Gaborone, Botswana | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 28 to 30 October 2026 | Durban, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 11 to 13 November 2026 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 4 to 6 January 2027 | Nairobi, Kenya | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 13 to 15 January 2027 | Pretoria, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |