Tutor Support Included

Learning remotely doesn’t mean you’re on your own! You’ll be able to message your tutor through our industry-leading learning platform.

Flexible Payment Options

Enrol today from £9.99 deposit & spread the cost over 24 months

Learn At Your Own Pace

Study wherever and whenever you want. You’ll have access to your course for two years so you can fit your learning around your other commitments.

Tutor Support Included

Learning remotely doesn’t mean you’re on your own! You’ll be able to message your tutor through our industry-leading learning platform.

Flexible Payment Options

Enrol today from £9.99 deposit & spread the cost over 24 months

Learn At Your Own Pace

Study wherever and whenever you want. You’ll have access to your course for one year so you can fit your learning around your other commitments.

Click here to
- Click here to Request a Callback
25% OFF Save £68.06 - Don’t miss out!

Purchasing and Materials Handling

Get in touch with us and we’ll call you back
Get in touch with us and we’ll call you back
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Tuesday 11th August
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Tuesday 11th August

Purchasing and Materials Handling

It is a requirement of all institutions, whether private, governmental or community organisations, to obtain goods such as raw materials, machinery and equipment, and also services such as installation, repair, maintenance, transport, etc.

Manufacturing organisations need to buy goods and services for use in their production processes. Similarly, commercial firms require goods and services for re-selling.

Service organisations, such as banks, hotels and transport firms, also have to purchase in order to continue their business activities.

This course covers the purchasing function of all activities which deal with the provision of requirements to an organisation.

Learning the skills needed to ensure that purchases made on behalf of your company or as the purchasing manager requires specific skills and knowledge.

Modules

Unit One

The Need For Purchasing

The Nature And The Objectives Of The Purchasing Function

The Importance Of The Purchasing Function

Important Purchasing Situations

Purchasing Procedures

Materials Management

Logistics Management

The JIT System Of Materials Management

Kanban

The Materials Requirement Planning System

Purchasing Management As Part Of Organisational Management

Materials Management As Part Of Organisational Management

Planning As An Element Of Purchasing And Materials Management

Unit Two

The Concept Of Quality

The Planning Of Quality

Quality Assurance

The Description Of Quality

The Control Of Quality

Sample Inspection

Unit Three

Price Determination As A Purchasing Activity

Price Determination By The Supplier

Different Marketing Forms

The Influence Of Government On Price Determination

The Planning Of Purchasing Prices

Information For Planning Purchasing Prices

Objectives For Price Determination

The Price Policy Of The Purchasing Function

Control Over Purchasing Prices

Cost Reduction As A Control Technique

Price Indices As A Control Technique

Supplier Selection

Unit Four

Introduction

The Scope Of The Stores Department

Types Of Stores

Special Stores

Stockyards

The Stores Department As A Service Department

The Integrated Purchasing And Stores Department

Staff And Customer Relations

Unit Five

Siting A Store Or Stockyard

Transport And Distribution Of Goods

Postal Services

Location

Types Of Building

Detailed Consideration Of Storage Accommodation

Fire And Firefighting

Unit Six

Layout Of Buildings

Storage Policies

Flow Of Materials

Goods Received Facilities

Mechanical Handling

Inspection

Centralised Goods Receiving

Unit Seven

Stock Records

The Stock Records Department

Stock Record Cards

The Aims Of Stock Control

Types Of Stock Control

Stock Levels

Stock Control - Finished Stocks

Work Of The Stock Control Department

Stock Taking

Types Of Stock Taking

Discrepancies And Determination Of Errors

Unit Eight

Financial Control Of Stock

Stores Costs And Budgets

Methods Of Pricing Stock

Stores Evaluation For Final Accounts

Unit Nine

Materials Flow Activities

Incoming Transport

Negotiation

The Characteristics Of Negotiation

When Negotiation Is Used

The Negotiating Process

Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

The Advantages Of Research For Purchasing And Materials Managements

The Planning Of Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

The Organisation Of Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

The Operational Area Of Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

Control Over Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

Unit Ten

International Purchasing

The Management Of International Purchasing

International Purchasing Procedure And Activities

Implementation Of International Purchasing

Countertrade

The Purchasing Of Capital Equipment

Capital Goods And Leasing

Retail Buying

The Control And Evaluation Of Retail Buying

For a more detailed syllabus on this course, click here

Entry Requirements

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Assessment Method

After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.

 

On successful completion of your course you will receive the learndirect Certificate of Completion of Training in Purchasing and Materials Handling.

Your course certificate will also state the number of CPD points/hours the course is eligible for.

View a sample of the certificate (opens in new window)

learndirect is one of the largest integrated providers of courses and qualifications, training, and employment services in the UK

  • Each year around 6,000 businesses equip their staff for success with learndirect
  • learndirect have helped more than 75,000 businesses equip their employees with the skills needed to improve productivity.
  • Almost 700,000 maths and English test passes have been achieved with learndirect.
  • 300,000 people fulfilled their career ambitions last year with learndirect.
  • Over 250,000 apprentices have achieved with learndirect.
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Tuesday 11th August
  • SALE Savings End Midnight Tuesday 11th August

Purchasing and Materials Handling

It is a requirement of all institutions, whether private, governmental or community organisations, to obtain goods such as raw materials, machinery and equipment, and also services such as installation, repair, maintenance, transport, etc.

Manufacturing organisations need to buy goods and services for use in their production processes. Similarly, commercial firms require goods and services for re-selling.

Service organisations, such as banks, hotels and transport firms, also have to purchase in order to continue their business activities.

This course covers the purchasing function of all activities which deal with the provision of requirements to an organisation.

Learning the skills needed to ensure that purchases made on behalf of your company or as the purchasing manager requires specific skills and knowledge.

Modules

Unit One

The Need For Purchasing

The Nature And The Objectives Of The Purchasing Function

The Importance Of The Purchasing Function

Important Purchasing Situations

Purchasing Procedures

Materials Management

Logistics Management

The JIT System Of Materials Management

Kanban

The Materials Requirement Planning System

Purchasing Management As Part Of Organisational Management

Materials Management As Part Of Organisational Management

Planning As An Element Of Purchasing And Materials Management

Unit Two

The Concept Of Quality

The Planning Of Quality

Quality Assurance

The Description Of Quality

The Control Of Quality

Sample Inspection

Unit Three

Price Determination As A Purchasing Activity

Price Determination By The Supplier

Different Marketing Forms

The Influence Of Government On Price Determination

The Planning Of Purchasing Prices

Information For Planning Purchasing Prices

Objectives For Price Determination

The Price Policy Of The Purchasing Function

Control Over Purchasing Prices

Cost Reduction As A Control Technique

Price Indices As A Control Technique

Supplier Selection

Unit Four

Introduction

The Scope Of The Stores Department

Types Of Stores

Special Stores

Stockyards

The Stores Department As A Service Department

The Integrated Purchasing And Stores Department

Staff And Customer Relations

Unit Five

Siting A Store Or Stockyard

Transport And Distribution Of Goods

Postal Services

Location

Types Of Building

Detailed Consideration Of Storage Accommodation

Fire And Firefighting

Unit Six

Layout Of Buildings

Storage Policies

Flow Of Materials

Goods Received Facilities

Mechanical Handling

Inspection

Centralised Goods Receiving

Unit Seven

Stock Records

The Stock Records Department

Stock Record Cards

The Aims Of Stock Control

Types Of Stock Control

Stock Levels

Stock Control - Finished Stocks

Work Of The Stock Control Department

Stock Taking

Types Of Stock Taking

Discrepancies And Determination Of Errors

Unit Eight

Financial Control Of Stock

Stores Costs And Budgets

Methods Of Pricing Stock

Stores Evaluation For Final Accounts

Unit Nine

Materials Flow Activities

Incoming Transport

Negotiation

The Characteristics Of Negotiation

When Negotiation Is Used

The Negotiating Process

Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

The Advantages Of Research For Purchasing And Materials Managements

The Planning Of Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

The Organisation Of Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

The Operational Area Of Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

Control Over Research For Purchasing And Materials Management

Unit Ten

International Purchasing

The Management Of International Purchasing

International Purchasing Procedure And Activities

Implementation Of International Purchasing

Countertrade

The Purchasing Of Capital Equipment

Capital Goods And Leasing

Retail Buying

The Control And Evaluation Of Retail Buying

For a more detailed syllabus on this course, click here

Entry Requirements

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Excellent Marking

Assessment

Assessment Method

After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.

 

Qualifications

On successful completion of your course you will receive the learndirect Certificate of Completion of Training in Purchasing and Materials Handling.

Your course certificate will also state the number of CPD points/hours the course is eligible for.

View a sample of the certificate (opens in new window)

learndirect is one of the largest integrated providers of courses and qualifications, training, and employment services in the UK

  • Each year around 6,000 businesses equip their staff for success with learndirect
  • learndirect have helped more than 75,000 businesses equip their employees with the skills needed to improve productivity.
  • Almost 700,000 maths and English test passes have been achieved with learndirect.
  • 300,000 people fulfilled their career ambitions last year with learndirect.
  • Over 250,000 apprentices have achieved with learndirect.
100% online
learning
0 units
10 guided
learning hours

Rated by our learners

Rated Excellent by our learners

4.5 out of 5

Based on 31,497 Trustpilot reviews

Read all reviews →
Verified

Easy enrolment

Informative process when making enquiries. Hayden was very helpful from the start of the process until I enrolled. Good customer service. He went above and beyond by staying back to finish my enrolment process as I had a few difficulties at my end.

Stephen A. 10 Aug 2026
Verified

The ability to get all information I…

The ability to get all information I needed through Ethan, it was really easy and smooth and thanks to Learn Direct for this opportunity…

Chioma E. 10 Aug 2026
Verified

He was really helpful and cleared all…

He was really helpful and cleared all my doubts with patience. I am really grateful he guided me properly. Thanks, Prabhsharan kaur.

prabhsharan K. 10 Aug 2026
Verified

Jordan was very helpful

Jordan was very helpful, answered all my questions and let me know everything I needed to know

Sofia 10 Aug 2026
Verified

Satisfactory …

The course outline was explicitly explained by the course advisor clearly to my understanding

Mr A. 10 Aug 2026
Verified

I’m finally getting my qualification!!

Had a great experience today. Harley was a very helpful individual, and supported me to instantly get onto the course I have been seeking. He patiently helped me enrol and set up my account, and now I’m on the roads to getting my qualification! Super excited for this journey.

Maryam 10 Aug 2026
Ready when you are

Take the next step in your learning journey

Course tips, career advice and exclusive offers, straight to your inbox. No spam, just guidance.

Accredited & trusted

Working with the UK's leading awarding bodies

Enrol now Request a callback