Operations & Supply Chain

Materials Management and MRO Spares

Maintenance, repair and operations materials are vital to keep plants running, yet they are often poorly managed. This course covers MRO materials management: cataloguing and data standards, criticality analysis, stocking decisions, storeroom operations, repairables, obsolescence and collaboration between maintenance and supply.

5 days Classroom or live online English

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Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Missing spares cause downtime, while excess spares tie up cash. You will learn to manage MRO materials scientifically.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Criticality analysis exercises, catalogue cleansing practice, storeroom case studies and policy workshops.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain MRO materials management challenges
Create consistent catalogue and data standards
Assess spare part criticality
Set stocking policies for spares
Run efficient storerooms
Manage repairables and obsolescence

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Materials and stores managers
Maintenance planners
Reliability engineers
Procurement staff for MRO
Inventory controllers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Catalogue management
Criticality analysis
Stocking policies
Storeroom operations
Cross-functional collaboration

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1MRO Fundamentals

09:00–10:08Characteristics of MRO
10:08–11:00Costs and risks
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Costs and risks (continued)
11:45–12:53KPIs
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Catalogue and Data

09:00–10:08Naming standards
10:08–11:00Duplicate removal
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Duplicate removal (continued)
11:45–12:53Bills of materials
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Criticality and Stocking

09:00–10:08Criticality ranking
10:08–11:00Stocking decisions
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Stocking decisions (continued)
11:45–12:53Insurance spares
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Storerooms

09:00–10:08Layout and control
10:08–11:00Issue and return
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Issue and return (continued)
11:45–12:53Preservation
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Repairables and Obsolescence

09:00–10:08Repair loops
10:08–11:00Obsolescence management
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Obsolescence management (continued)
11:45–12:53Collaboration
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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