This session will give attendees a general understanding of the fundamentals of supply chain planning and inventory management within a manufacturing organisation, and how to manage it to achieve an optimised working capital position. We will define the best practice planning approach, inventory and its objectives, review the characteristics of inventory in the supply chain and how to successfully manage variability of demand.Through detailing the strategic supply chain management process and inventory trade-off decisions we will show how an organisation can determine whether inventory is an asset or a liability. The workshop sessions will consist of a blend of presentation, discussion and hands on activity depending on numbers in attendance. The session will be held in the concourse suite 33 at the NEC Birmingham. Refreshments will be available in concourse suite 33 from 9:45am