Supply Chain and Third-Party Risk Management Course

Course Introduction

Supply Chain and Third-Party Risk Management Course is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge, frameworks, and practical tools required to identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks across complex supply chains and third-party relationships. Modern organizations increasingly rely on suppliers, contractors, service providers, logistics partners, technology vendors, and outsourced operations to achieve strategic objectives and maintain operational efficiency. While these relationships create significant opportunities for growth and innovation, they also introduce risks that can disrupt operations, affect compliance, damage reputations, and threaten organizational resilience. This course equips participants with the skills necessary to manage these risks proactively and effectively.

Globalization, digital transformation, geopolitical instability, climate-related events, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory changes have significantly increased the complexity of supply chain risk management. Organizations face numerous challenges including supplier failures, operational disruptions, cyber incidents, financial instability among vendors, quality issues, fraud, compliance violations, and ethical concerns. This course explores how organizations can establish comprehensive supply chain and third-party risk management frameworks that support business continuity, enhance resilience, and strengthen stakeholder confidence while maintaining efficient and reliable operations.

The course emphasizes a risk-based approach to managing third-party relationships throughout their lifecycle. Participants will learn how to conduct due diligence, assess supplier risks, monitor third-party performance, evaluate critical dependencies, and implement mitigation strategies that address identified vulnerabilities. Through practical exercises and case studies, participants will gain hands-on experience in developing risk assessment methodologies, supplier evaluation criteria, monitoring programs, and response plans that help organizations anticipate and manage supply chain disruptions effectively.

Participants will examine internationally recognized standards, governance frameworks, and best practices for supply chain and third-party risk management. The course covers topics such as vendor governance, supplier segmentation, contract risk management, operational resilience, regulatory compliance, business continuity planning, and performance monitoring. Participants will also learn how to align supply chain risk management with enterprise risk management objectives and organizational strategies to ensure comprehensive oversight and accountability across the entire value chain.

Special attention is given to emerging risks associated with digital supply chains, artificial intelligence, cloud-based services, environmental sustainability requirements, cyber threats, geopolitical tensions, environmental, social, and governance expectations, and evolving regulatory obligations. Participants will explore how these factors influence supplier relationships and risk profiles while learning how advanced technologies, data analytics, and continuous monitoring solutions can strengthen supply chain visibility and improve risk management decision-making.

By the end of the course, participants will possess the practical skills and strategic insights required to establish robust supply chain and third-party risk management programs. They will be capable of enhancing supplier resilience, improving operational continuity, reducing exposure to disruptions, strengthening compliance, and supporting organizational success through effective management of supplier and third-party risks in increasingly interconnected business environments.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Supply chain managers responsible for supplier and logistics operations
• Procurement professionals managing vendor relationships and sourcing activities
• Risk management professionals overseeing third-party risk programs
• Contract managers responsible for supplier agreements and compliance
• Vendor management specialists monitoring supplier performance and risks
• Business continuity professionals supporting operational resilience initiatives
• Internal auditors evaluating supplier controls and third-party governance
• Compliance officers responsible for regulatory oversight of vendor relationships
• Operations managers overseeing critical supply chain processes
• Information security professionals managing third-party cyber risks
• Project managers responsible for outsourced services and vendor engagement
• Senior executives involved in strategic sourcing and supplier governance

Course Objectives

• Enable participants to understand supply chain and third-party risk management principles and their role in organizational resilience.
• Develop participants’ ability to identify, assess, and prioritize risks associated with suppliers, vendors, and external partners.
• Equip learners with practical techniques for conducting supplier due diligence and third-party risk assessments effectively.
• Strengthen participants’ capacity to establish governance frameworks that support oversight of supplier relationships and dependencies.
• Enhance understanding of operational, financial, regulatory, cyber, and reputational risks within supply chains and third-party networks.
• Build competence in developing mitigation strategies that reduce disruptions and improve supply chain resilience and continuity.
• Improve participants’ ability to monitor supplier performance and evaluate risk indicators through structured assessment methodologies.
• Equip professionals with tools for managing contract risks, compliance obligations, and third-party governance requirements.
• Strengthen skills in responding to supply chain disruptions and implementing corrective actions that support business continuity.
• Enable participants to establish comprehensive risk management programs that enhance visibility, accountability, and sustainable supplier performance.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Supply Chain and Third-Party Risk Management

• Understanding supply chain risk concepts and their impact on organizational performance and resilience
• Exploring third-party risk management frameworks and governance best practices comprehensively
• Examining critical supply chain dependencies and operational risk exposure factors
• Understanding risk ownership and accountability across supplier management processes

Module 2: Risk Identification and Supplier Risk Assessment

• Identifying operational, financial, compliance, and strategic risks within supply chains effectively
• Conducting structured supplier risk assessments using risk-based methodologies and tools
• Evaluating supplier criticality and potential impacts on organizational operations comprehensively
• Developing supplier risk profiles and prioritization frameworks for decision-making

Module 3: Third-Party Due Diligence and Vendor Selection

• Conducting due diligence assessments before engaging suppliers and service providers
• Evaluating vendor financial stability, operational capability, and compliance performance
• Assessing ethical, legal, and reputational considerations during supplier selection processes
• Establishing risk-based supplier onboarding procedures and approval frameworks

Module 4: Supplier Governance and Relationship Management

• Designing governance structures that strengthen oversight of supplier relationships effectively
• Defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms for supplier management
• Establishing communication and escalation protocols for third-party risk management
• Promoting collaborative supplier relationships that support resilience and performance

Module 5: Contract Risk Management and Compliance Oversight

• Identifying contractual risks that may affect organizational objectives and operations
• Developing contract provisions that address risk allocation and performance expectations
• Monitoring supplier compliance with contractual obligations and regulatory requirements
• Managing contract amendments and dispute resolution processes effectively

Module 6: Operational Resilience and Business Continuity

• Assessing supply chain vulnerabilities that may affect business continuity capabilities
• Developing contingency plans for supplier failures and operational disruptions effectively
• Integrating supplier resilience considerations into continuity planning activities
• Strengthening recovery capabilities through coordinated response and recovery strategies

Module 7: Cybersecurity and Technology Risks in Supply Chains

• Evaluating cybersecurity risks associated with third-party systems and digital services
• Assessing cloud service providers and technology vendors for security vulnerabilities
• Managing data protection and privacy risks across interconnected supplier ecosystems
• Implementing third-party cybersecurity monitoring and assurance mechanisms effectively

Module 8: ESG, Sustainability, and Ethical Supply Chains

• Understanding environmental, social, and governance risks affecting supplier networks
• Assessing supplier sustainability performance and responsible sourcing practices comprehensively
• Managing labor rights, environmental compliance, and ethical conduct risks effectively
• Aligning supply chain governance with sustainability objectives and stakeholder expectations

Module 9: Monitoring, Analytics, and Risk Reporting

• Developing supplier monitoring frameworks that support continuous risk assessment activities
• Leveraging analytics and technology solutions to improve supply chain visibility
• Establishing key risk indicators and performance metrics for supplier oversight
• Producing risk reports that support informed decision-making and governance reviews

Module 10: Emerging Trends and Future Supply Chain Risks

• Evaluating geopolitical risks and their influence on global supply chain operations
• Understanding artificial intelligence applications and associated third-party risk considerations
• Assessing emerging regulatory requirements affecting supplier governance frameworks
• Building future-ready supply chain risk management strategies for evolving environments

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.