Level 7 – Ports and Shipping Operations Strategy

When studying with IoSCM, you will have access to the online learning platform and learning resource centre. The IoSCM learning platform provides you with all your course content, unit information and the option to interact with other learners studying the same course as you. The learning resource centre includes a huge library of resources for you to utilise which will support you throughout your learning.

All courses are studied through online and supported distance learning, so you can work through your course online at your own pace and utilise the support from the support and education teams as and when required.

When you enrol onto a course you will be assigned a learning support advisor. They will be your dedicated point of contact and will handle all queries while you study. You will also be assigned your own industry expert tutor for every unit you study, who will be on hand to provide you with guidance and feedback throughout your learning journey.

To apply for this course, give our course advisory team a call today on 0800 1422 522 or email info@ioscm.com. They’ll be happy to provide you with a step-by-step guide on the enrolment and payment process. To fund your qualification, you can organise payment in full or utilise one of our interest-free payment plan options. We also accept business-funded payments for employers seeking to fund their employees’ development. Contact us now and we can assess the best payment method for you during a free consultation call.

15 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced, research-led capability in designing and executing rigorous business research projects within complex organisational contexts. You will critically evaluate research philosophies, methodologies, and ethical frameworks, including epistemological and ontological perspectives, and compare inductive and deductive approaches. The unit emphasises independent inquiry, methodological justification, data validity, and the synthesis and communication of research findings to inform strategic decision-making and solve real-world business problems. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• Research philosophy in business
• Research strategies in business
• How to develop a business research project

15 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic expertise in managing organisational change within complex and dynamic global environments. You will critically evaluate drivers of change, transformational enablers, resistance mitigation techniques, and established change models, including business process reengineering. The unit emphasises independent analysis, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of emerging technologies to design and implement effective, sustainable change programmes that enhance long-term organisational competitiveness. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• The factors that drive the demand for organisational change
• The impact of change management models on business improvement
• How to support change management within an organisation

12 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation within complex and competitive business environments. You will critically evaluate entrepreneurial thinking, opportunity identification, innovation-led growth strategies, and stakeholder influence on venture success. The unit emphasises independent judgement, strategic analysis, and the application of financial, marketing, ethical, and partnership considerations to develop and assess sustainable, value-driven business ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• The role of entrepreneurship in business
• Opportunities and business generation
• Strategies to create business ideas

15 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic understanding of manufacturing and production systems within complex global environments. You will critically evaluate lean production planning, process design, demand management, benchmarking techniques, and the financial impact of global disruptions. The unit emphasises independent analysis, strategic decision-making, and risk management, including the assessment of globalisation, supply chain volatility, and mitigation strategies to enhance resilience, efficiency, and competitive manufacturing performance. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• Production planning from a lean perspective
• Production processes in manufacturing
• Risk management in manufacturing

10 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic capability in business planning within complex and uncertain organisational environments. You will critically evaluate strategic planning processes, implementation frameworks, and innovative approaches to objective setting, alongside rigorous risk identification and mitigation techniques. The unit emphasises independent judgement, systems thinking, and the critical assessment of performance measurement and stakeholder relationships to drive sustainable business growth, resilience, and long-term strategic alignment. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• How to implement strategic business planning
• Risk management techniques in strategic planning
• The impact of relationships on business performance

12 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops highly advanced strategic, evaluative, and research-informed procurement expertise for complex global business environments. You will critically assess innovative procurement and supplier relationship management strategies, global sourcing efficiencies, cost and risk management initiatives, and supplier performance frameworks. The unit emphasises strategic decision-making, leadership, critical justification, and the application of global best practice to drive long-term organisational value and competitive advantage. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• The value of aligning procurement to a business strategy
• How to implement innovative procurement strategies in business
• Tendering, cost, and risk management approaches in global procurement

12 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic leadership capability within complex, global organisational environments. You will critically evaluate the impact of strategic leadership on organisational direction, including situational leadership frameworks, leadership styles, and cross-cultural practices. The unit emphasises independent judgement, reflective analysis, and the integration of innovation, communication, and cultural dynamics to enhance decision-making, organisational performance, and sustainable global competitive advantage. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• How strategic leadership changes the trajectory of an organisation
• The value of effective leadership and innovation
• The skills and capacities required to exercise global leadership

12 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic capability in business planning, analysis, and competitive strategy formulation within complex organisational environments. You will critically evaluate strategic planning processes, environmental analysis techniques, and internationally respected modelling frameworks. The unit emphasises independent analytical judgement, evidence-based decision-making, and the evaluation of critical success factors and stakeholder engagement to drive sustainable competitive advantage and long-term organisational performance. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• The impact of strategic planning and development on a business
• How business strategy creates a roadmap to competitive advantage
• The impact of critical success factors in establishing a thriving business

15 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic expertise in logistics and transport management within complex global supply chain environments. You will critically evaluate the integration of logistics strategy with marketing, sustainable and reverse logistics practices, omni-channel operations, and continuous improvement methodologies such as lean and agile. The unit emphasises independent analysis, systems thinking, and the evaluation of global transport adaptation, regulatory frameworks, and digital technologies to enhance efficiency, resilience, and competitive advantage. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• The strategic links between logistics and commercial purchasing decision-making
• Different types of logistics within the supply chain
• The importance of continuous improvement within logistics
• The role of transport within logistics
• The impact of logistics and transport on the global supply chain

15 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic expertise in warehousing and inventory management within digitally transformed, global supply chain environments. You will critically evaluate warehouse design optimisation, Industry 4.0 integration, performance metrics, and sustainability through circular economy principles. The unit emphasises independent analysis of data-driven decision-making, logistics outsourcing models including 6PL and emerging 7PL concepts, and the application of advanced automation and analytics to enhance resilience, profitability, and operational excellence. On completion of this unit, the learner will understand:

• How to evaluate the key requirements of warehouse design management
• Warehouse business structures within organisations
• The importance of outsourcing logistics operations
• The relationship between inventory management and an organisation’s profitability

12 Unit Credit Values

This unit develops advanced strategic expertise in quality management within evolving, technology-driven organisational environments. You will critically evaluate the evolution of quality, including advanced technologies, and compare traditional and contemporary tools aligned to lean principles. The unit emphasises independent analysis of quality management systems, continuous improvement cultures, and emerging technologies such as AI, ML, IoT, and blockchain to enhance organisational performance, innovation, and long-term quality excellence. On completion of this unit, you will understand:

• The evolution of quality management
• The application of quality management systems
• How to implement quality management processes