Production & Operations Management (MSc, Executive) at HECTOR School Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

"The design and operation of production systems and supply chain are undergoing a change. Driven by new technology, as reflected by Industry 4.0 and the industrial Internet of Things, the education and experience of the past is no longer sufficient to guide companies through the required changes. Master these with Production & Operations Management (POM) and acquire the necessary competences, bridging the gap between up-to-date theory and advanced technologies." – Professor Dr-Ing Kai Furmans, Programme Director

Production technology and supply chain topics shape the future of the manufacturing industry. Major developments in the context of Industry 4.0 require highly qualified engineers with comprehensive knowledge of state-of-the-art technology and methods to successfully realise innovative concepts. Only a multidisciplinary approach can meet the requirements of today’s interconnected flow of data, products, and money in production and logistics.

Graduates of the Master's programme in Production & Operations Management (POM) are able to analyse and optimise the efficiency of value-added processes within the operation of production and service systems. They can understand and analyse service and production processes, capture and formally describe requirements, frame boundary conditions and targets, and achieve a targeted improvement.

The graduates are familiar with state-of-the-art concepts and methods and are able to apply them in problem solving and to further develop them. Methods and techniques in conjunction with decision making are especially focused on in Operations Management.

In addition, graduates can identify the possibilities and limitations of formal methods and models as well as the challenges that represent the transmission between the modelled world and reality and handle them in a solution-driven way. Given that the flow of data, products and money are closely interconnected in production and logistics nowadays, graduates are able to solve problems by taking these three factors into account and applying multidisciplinary solution approaches.

Furthermore, the Master's programme shares five management modules with the other Master's programmes at HECTOR School. This fosters networking across industries and provides the participants with general knowledge in finance, accounting, sustainability, marketing, international multi project management, international law, and human resource management. As a result, they can consider the commercial implications of project decisions and develop a holistic view.

Engineering Modules (EM)*:

EM 1: Collaborative Eng. in Production & Operations Management

• Industrial Services
• Data Structure & Algorithms for Intelligent Engineering
• Operations Research: Decision Making with Linear Models & Networks
• Processes, Resources & Systems in Industrial Engineering

EM 2: Digital Engineering Ecosystems

• IoT Solutions for Product Lifecycle Management
• Stochastic Models of Manufacturing Systems
• Simulation of Production Systems & Digital Twin
• Operations Research: Decision Making with Discrete & Nonlinear Models

EM 3: Modern Operations Management for Supply Chain Networks

• Production Engineering
• Strategic Supply Network Management
• Human Factors & Ergonomics
• Technologies of Distribution Networks

EM 4: Networks of Supply & Production Systems

• Supply Network Management: Inventory Management in an Uncertain Environment
• Information Technology for Logistic Systems
• Global Production
• Operational & Tactical Supply Network Management

EM 5: Global Production & Distribution Systems

• Quality Management
• Supplier Management
• Smart Manufacturing & Automation with Industry 4.0

Management Modules (MM)*:

MM 1: Marketing & Information:

• Data Driven Marketing
• Information Systems Management
• Data Analytics
• Legal Aspects of Information

MM 2: Finance & Value:

• Management Accounting
• Sustainability
• Strategic Financial Management
• Case Studies

MM 3: Decisions & Risk:

• Decision Modelling
• Risk Aware Decisions
• Interactive Decisions
• Robust & Stochastic Optimisation

MM 4: Innovation & Projects:

• Technology Driven Innovation
• International Intellectual Property Law
• Project Management
• Multi-Project Management in an International Setting

MM 5: Strategy & People:

• Strategic Management
• Managerial Economics
• Business Organisation & Corporate Law
• Strategic Human Resource Management
• Leadership & Conflict Management

*may be subject to change

University qualification:
First academic degree: Bachelor's, Master's, German "Diplom", etc. (university, university of applied sciences, cooperative state university) in a relevant subject, such as engineering, natural sciences, information science or economics. Other degrees may be accepted in exceptional cases.

Professional experience:
Depending on the first degree's level (210 or 180 ECTS points)

• A minimum of one or two years of practical experience in the specific field of the course is required.
• Three years of work experience are recommended.
• References are needed as evidence.

For further details, please see: HECTOR School - Admission Requirements.

Approx. 150 EUR per semester

Approx. 1,000 EUR per month

Tips on finding a job and how to apply in Germany are available. Find more information on the services website: HECTOR School - Services.

The HECTOR School is integrated into the campus of the International Department of the KIT with its own campus accommodation, which is available to all students of the International Department upon request.

For further information, see the website: HECTOR School - Accommodation.

Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, KIT employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programmes. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the eleven German universities of excellence.

As the only German university of excellence with a national large-scale research sector, KIT offers excellent study conditions. Nowhere else are your opportunities to become directly involved in research better. The spirit of KIT, one of the biggest science institutions in Europe, where long university tradition is combined with programme-oriented cutting-edge research, is that all researchers get involved in teaching and that all students participate in thrilling research projects at an early stage of their studies. Graduates of KIT are among the most desired young talents. KIT understands the application of scientific findings as a basic principle. According to the QS Graduate Employability Ranking 2022, KIT is the best university in Germany, the tenth-best in Europe, and in the top 46 worldwide. The ranking focuses on the preparation of university graduates for the labour market.

The large KIT campus is located in the city centre of Karlsruhe, and it borders the Hardtwald Forest, a perfect place to take a leisurely stroll. The proximity to Alsace and the mild climate of the Rhine River gives the Baden metropolis an almost Mediterranean flair in the summer.

Founded in 1715, Karlsruhe is the second-largest city in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. It is also known as the "Residence of Justice", being the seat of Germany's two supreme courts (the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Supreme Court).

Karlsruhe is located in south-western Germany, and it has about 300,000 residents. Its central location within Europe offers unparalleled opportunities for exploration and connectivity. Situated at the crossroads of major transportation networks, students have easy access to neighbouring cities like Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Strasbourg as well as popular European destinations such as Paris and Zurich. This accessibility opens doors to potential career opportunities and internships within multinational companies and research institutions.

Moreover, Karlsruhe's cultural scene is as diverse as it is enriching. Home to world-class museums, theatres, and galleries, the city offers a plethora of cultural experiences to suit every taste. From the iconic Karlsruhe Palace and the State Art Gallery to the avant-garde ZKM Center for Art and Media, students can immerse themselves in history, art, and innovation. The city's vibrant music and theatre scene ensures a wealth of performances and events to enjoy.

The local economy is based on a well-developed structure of medium-sized businesses, particularly in forward-reaching technologies such as computer science, multimedia, control systems, energy technology, and environmental science as well as nanotechnology. Several major companies, among them Bosch, Siemens, Daimler AG, and Michelin, have production facilities in the region. Major research and development institutions (e.g. Fraunhofer Institute, Intel research campus) are part of the reason why the innovative potential of this city and region is well known worldwide.