SLLC Intermediate study guide
SLLC Intermediate · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The SLLC Intermediate is a professional supply chain credential aimed at practitioners who already handle day-to-day planning, sourcing, or logistics work and want to demonstrate broader command of the end-to-end chain. It suits coordinators, planners, buyers, warehouse and transport supervisors, and analysts moving toward a role that spans functions rather than sitting inside one silo. The SLLC Intermediate study guide has 9 sections and about 2,427 words.
01Supply Chain Strategy and Network Design
Domain 1 tests whether you can link competitive strategy to supply chain structure and defend network choices with cost-to-serve and service logic. Fisher's framework separates functional products (stable, low-margin) from innovative products (volatile, high-margin).
304 words, about 2 min02Demand Planning and Forecasting
Domain 2 tests forecast method choice, error measurement, hierarchy reconciliation, and the link from forecast error to inventory and S&OP decisions. A forecast is not demand.
302 words, about 2 min03Procurement and Supplier Management
Domain 3 tests sourcing strategy, supplier selection, contracting, supplier relationship management, and total cost of ownership. Start with spend analysis.
270 words, about 1 min04Production Planning and Inventory Control
Domain 4 tests material and capacity planning logic, inventory policies, and the assumptions behind lot-sizing and safety stock. The MPS disaggregates the aggregate plan into end items.
275 words, about 1 min05Warehousing and Materials Handling
Domain 5 tests warehouse layout, slotting, picking methods, cross-docking, and the data discipline that makes warehouse execution work. Core flows are receive, putaway, store, pick, pack, and ship.
253 words, about 1 min06Transportation and Distribution Management
Domain 6 tests mode and carrier selection, load planning, Incoterms, and freight cost management. Road offers flexibility, rail suits heavy long-haul, air is fast and expensive, ocean is slow and cheap, and intermodal combines modes.
257 words, about 1 min07Logistics Operations and Customer Service
Domain 7 tests order management, customer service measurement, cost-to-serve, and reverse logistics. Order cycle time runs from order receipt to delivery.
225 words, about 1 min08Supply Chain Technology and Data Analytics
Domain 8 tests system roles, integration methods, master data, and the analytics that turn supply chain data into decisions. ERP is the system of record for finance and planning; WMS executes warehouse tasks; TMS plans and executes freight; APS optimizes scheduling.
260 words, about 1 min09Risk, Sustainability, and Compliance
Domain 9 tests risk identification and mitigation, sustainability measurement, and compliance obligations across the supply chain. Use a risk matrix of probability and impact; expected monetary value (EMV) = probability × impact.
281 words, about 1 min