A Guide to a Career in Supply Chain Management



Supply chain management is a field that keeps the wheels of the market turning; from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing products, this multidisciplinary field of study helps the market grow.

The importance of this sector has recently been highlighted by the pandemic- a disruption in the supply chain system has had global repercussions on trade and the availability of goods.


Here’s what we’ll look at today:


  • What does a degree in supply chain management offer?
  • Skills required to master supply chain management course
  • Top 10 universities to study supply chain management
  • Graduate opportunities

Fact -Careers for supply chain management majors are projected to grow 30% in the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics


What does a degree in supply chain management offer?


In simple words, supply chain management is the field that manages the flow of goods and services. It includes all the processes that transform the raw materials into the end product we purchase. It is a data-driven management technique that looks after the end-to-end operations of a company. The end-to-end operation will include the flow of goods, services from the organiser’s end to the customer’s end, and even the active streamlining of a business’s supply-side activities. This is one of the most critical parts of a company that should be handled with utmost dedication.

Supply chain management is a field for people who are good at finance, economics, and logistics and have excellent skills to get a business going and growing. A supply chain is an interconnection of companies. You will need strong interpersonal skills to maintain a good and strong relationship with the organisers, vendors, workers, and customers. This is a multidisciplinary area of study that touches on operations management, product engineering, system engineering, logistics, procurement, industrial engineering, information management, market study, and supply flow management. This course will explore the various issues involved in logistics and find solutions to manage those issues effectively.


Skills required to master supply chain management course


  • Interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of I.T. and Automation
  • Commercial awareness
  • Strong communication skills
  • Planning and research skills
  • Decision making
  • Flexibility
  • Negotiation Abilities
  • Strong analytical skills

Top 10 universities to study supply chain management


Here are the top 10 universities globally to study supply chain management according to the Q.S. ranking :

Serial No. University Country
1 Center for Transportation and Logistics (MIT CTL) Cambridge United States
2 W.U. (Vienna University of Economics and Business) W.U. Campus, Vienna Austria
3 Michigan Ross School of Business Michigan
Ann Arbor
4 Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam Netherlands
5 Marshall School of Business Los Angeles United States
6 Trinity College Dublin Dublin
Ireland
7 Alliance Manchester Business School Manchester United Kingdom
8 MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business Campus Bovisa, Milan
Italy
9 Krannert School of Management West Lafayette United States
10 University of Washington Foster School of Business Seattle United States

An undergraduate degree in supply chain management is offered as a B.A., BSC, BBA in various universities for a duration of three years. After completing the undergraduate program in supply chain management, you can aim for a two-year master’s program with a specialisation in logistics, project management, business administration, entrepreneurship, operations, planning, and sourcing. There are also doctorate, diploma, and certificate courses in supply chain management offered by prestigious universities.


Here's a look at some important contents that are part of a supply chain management curriculum:


  • Introduction to business
  • Exploration of business
  • Business information systems
  • Introduction to financial accounting
  • Negotiation and conflict management
  • Creativity, innovation, and value creation
  • Business writing and communication
  • Advanced service and manufacturing operations

What do supply chain management graduates do?


According to the ASCM survey, most supply chain professionals work in planning. But this is not the only course choice for a supply chain management graduate; there are endless private and government career opportunities available for graduates. In the U.S. alone, there will be 56,400 new job opportunities created for supply chain graduates in the next ten years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


Here are some career options and jobs after graduating in supply chain management


  • Chief Operations Officer
  • Strategic Planner
  • Chief Purchasing/Sourcing Officer
  • Vice President of Strategic Sourcing
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Purchase Manager
  • Logistics, Transportation or Distribution Manager
  • Warehouse Manager
  • Materials Analyst
  • Manufacturing Manager
  • Supplier Relationship Manager
  • Operations Analyst/Specialist

So, if you are passionate about joining a course that is highly marketable and has opportunities present at a global level, then there is no better time to get into supply chain management.



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