Supply Chain Management Careers

Supply chain management professionals are required in all kinds of industries including manufacturing and retail. A multitude of companies and businesses sell end products to consumers that need to be manufactured from raw materials. The sourcing, procurement, transportation and transformation of raw materials into finished goods need to be supervised by someone with formal training in the area.

Supply chain management is the process of managing all resources involved including machinery, human resources and logistics. A company’s success and profitability is dependent on the smooth functioning of the supply chain process. The expert management of finding, buying and transporting materials is essential for businesses’ to meet their productivity goals.

Careers in supply chain management include experts working in roles such as:

• Buyer
• Inventory manager
• Operations manager
• Inventory manager
• Procurement or purchasing director
• Contracts and pricing director
• Strategic sourcing manager

Such a professional can earn between 65,000 to 70,000 US dollars on average depending on the level of education and experience acquired.

Supply Chain Management Degrees and Programs

There are a number of educational programs available at every level for those interested in making one of many careers in supply chain management. You can choose from degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In order to learn how to manage resources, source materials and buy items in an effective and efficient manner, it is important to enroll in a program that focuses on supply chain management theories and practices.

You can choose from programs at the certificate, Associate, Bachelor and Master in the field. Careers in supply chain management can be formed once some level of expertise has been acquired through the right education. Some programs focus solely on supply chain management while other degree programs offer a concentration in the subject.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Supply Chain Management is one of the most popular degrees in the field. Other programs on offer which are related to supply chain management include:

• BA in Supply Chain Management
• BS in Operations Management
• BBA in Operations Management
• MBA in Supply Chain Management and Logistics
• MBA in Operations Management

Areas of Study in Supply Chain Management

Students enrolled in programs specializing in supply chain management learn about the ins and outs of the field. The supply chain process is studied in great detail. Students learn how to improve delivery and decrease costs. They are also taught how to customize existing supply chains to further improve efficiency and profitability. Students learn about a variety of subjects which include:

• Business strategy
• Organizational management
• Supply chain systems and forecasting
• Inventory strategy
• Logistics
• Supply chain information flow
• Procurement strategies
• Sourcing strategies
• Warehouse management
• Transportation management
• Packaging management

Along with knowledge of the field, supply chain management graduates are expected to have excellent verbal and written communication skills. They should also be capable of building professional relationships easily as they are required to interact with people at all managerial levels and in all functions.