Operations & Supply Chain

Supply Chain Finance and Working Capital Optimisation

Supply chain finance and working capital management connect procurement, logistics, treasury and suppliers. This course covers the cash conversion cycle, payment terms strategy, inventory and receivables optimisation, supply chain finance programmes, dynamic discounting and supplier financial health.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

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

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Working capital tied up in the supply chain limits growth and investment. This course helps you release cash while keeping suppliers healthy.

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.

The course uses working capital analysis exercises, case studies, programme design workshops and cross-functional simulations.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

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

Analyse working capital and the cash conversion cycle
Optimise payment terms responsibly
Reduce inventory and receivables
Understand supply chain finance solutions
Assess supplier financial health
Build a cross-functional working capital programme

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Treasury and finance managers
Procurement managers
Supply chain managers
Credit and collections managers
CFOs

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Working capital analysis
Payment terms strategy
Inventory reduction
Supply chain finance
Supplier risk assessment
Cross-functional programmes

Course outline

Your learning journey.

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

Day 1Working Capital Fundamentals

09:00–09:54Cash conversion cycle
09:54–10:48Working capital metrics
10:48–11:00Impact on value
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Impact on value (continued)
12:12–13:06Benchmarking
13:06–14:00Exercise: CCC analysis

Day 2Payables and Payment Terms

09:00–09:54Payment terms strategy
09:54–10:48Supplier impact
10:48–11:00Ethical considerations
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Ethical considerations (continued)
12:12–13:06Process efficiency
13:06–14:00Workshop: Payment terms review

Day 3Inventory and Receivables

09:00–09:54Inventory reduction levers
09:54–10:48Receivables management
10:48–11:00Collaboration with sales
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Collaboration with sales (continued)
12:12–13:06Forecasting cash
13:06–14:00Case study: Releasing working capital

Day 4Supply Chain Finance

09:00–09:54Reverse factoring
09:54–10:48Dynamic discounting
10:48–11:00Inventory finance
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Inventory finance (continued)
12:12–13:06Platforms and providers
13:06–14:00Exercise: Programme design

Day 5Programme and Risk

09:00–09:54Supplier financial risk
09:54–10:48Accounting considerations
10:48–11:00Governance
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Governance (continued)
12:12–13:06KPIs
13:06–14:00Capstone: Working capital 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.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

All courses

The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.