Inventory and Office Supplies Control (AS-038) Training Course

Inventory and Office Supplies Control

Office supplies, consumables and small equipment rarely attract board-level attention, yet poorly controlled stock quietly drains budgets through over-ordering, waste…

5 daysClassroom or online

49Upcoming dates

12Cities

£2,250Fees from

Course overview

Introduction

Office supplies, consumables and small equipment rarely attract board-level attention, yet poorly controlled stock quietly drains budgets through over-ordering, waste, emergency purchases and unrecorded losses. At the same time, running out of essential items disrupts daily work and frustrates colleagues who depend on a well-run office.

This Inventory and Office Supplies Control training course gives administrators a structured, practical approach to managing office stock. Participants learn how to classify items, set reorder levels, organise storage, record issues and receipts, work with approved suppliers and use simple tools to track consumption and cost.

The course also covers asset registers for portable equipment, stock counts and reconciliation, reducing waste and sustainability, and reporting supplies spending to management in a clear and credible way.

Course Objectives

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

Explain why disciplined supplies control matters for cost, service and accountability
Classify office stock and decide which items need close control
Set minimum, maximum and reorder levels based on actual consumption
Organise storage areas for safety, visibility and easy retrieval
Record receipts, issues and returns accurately using simple systems
Plan and carry out stock counts and reconcile differences
Work effectively with suppliers, catalogues and purchasing procedures
Report supplies spending and recommend practical savings

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

Office managers and office coordinators
Administrative officers responsible for stationery and consumables
Facilities and general services staff
Store keepers in office environments
Executive and departmental assistants who order supplies
Purchasing assistants supporting office procurement
Supervisors seeking better control of administrative costs

Training Methodology

The course combines short explanations with hands-on exercises. Participants classify a sample stock list, calculate reorder levels from consumption data, design a simple stock record in a spreadsheet, plan a stock count and analyse a supplies spending report. Group discussion draws on the participants' own offices and challenges.

Target Competencies

Stock classification and prioritisation
Reorder level calculation
Accurate stock recording
Stock count and reconciliation
Supplier and purchasing coordination
Cost reporting and waste reduction

Course outline

1Day One: The Purpose and Scope of Office Stock Control

The hidden costs of uncontrolled office supplies and consumables
What counts as office inventory: consumables, spares and small equipment
Roles and responsibilities for ordering, storing and issuing items
Linking supplies control to budgets, service levels and audit
Common problems: duplication, hoarding, stock-outs and losses
Mapping the current supplies process in your own office
Setting realistic objectives for improving supplies control

2Day Two: Classifying Items and Setting Stock Levels

ABC analysis to focus effort on the items that matter most
Standardising item names, units of measure and descriptions
Reading consumption patterns from past issues and invoices
Calculating minimum, maximum and reorder levels in practice
Lead times, safety stock and seasonal changes in demand
Reducing the range of items through standard choices
Exercise: setting stock levels for a sample office stock list

3Day Three: Storage, Recording and Issuing

Designing a safe, tidy and well-labelled stationery store
Storing paper, toner, cleaning products and electronics correctly
Recording goods received and checking deliveries against orders
Issuing procedures, request forms and authorisation limits
Simple stock records using spreadsheets and office systems
Tracking portable equipment with an asset register and tags
Exercise: building a basic stock card and issue log

4Day Four: Suppliers, Ordering and Stock Counts

Working with approved suppliers, framework contracts and catalogues
Raising orders that follow purchasing rules and budget limits
Comparing price, quality, delivery and service performance
Planning periodic and cycle stock counts with minimal disruption
Investigating and reconciling differences between records and counts
Dealing with damaged, expired and obsolete items
Exercise: planning and reconciling a stock count

5Day Five: Reporting, Savings and Sustainability

Key measures: spend per employee, stock turnover and stock-outs
Presenting a clear monthly supplies report to management
Identifying savings through consolidation and standardisation
Reducing paper, print and consumable waste across the office
Choosing sustainable products and responsible disposal options
Encouraging colleagues to follow supplies procedures willingly
Personal action plan for improving supplies control at work

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Inventory and Office Supplies Control course?

The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.

When is the next Inventory and Office Supplies Control course?

The next public date is 7 - 11 Dec 2026 in Barcelona. There are 49 upcoming dates in total.

Where is this course held?

Upcoming sessions run in Barcelona, Frankfurt, London, Rome, Vienna, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Dubai, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Munich, Paris.

Can I take Inventory and Office Supplies Control online?

Yes. Every date can also be joined live online in a virtual classroom with the trainer, for £1,280 per participant. Choose "Live online" in the dates table when you register.

How much does the course cost?

Fees start from £2,250 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.

Do participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.

Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?

Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.

Course information last updated 14 November 2026.

Inventory and Office Supplies Control

Course overview

Introduction

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Training Methodology

Target Competencies

Course outline

Dates and fees

Frequently asked questions

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