Supply Chain Managers

Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.

Median Annual Wage: $105,060

Education: Bachelor's degree (67%); Master's degree (15%); Post-baccalaureate certificate (7%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Supply Chain Manager; Supply Chain Director; Global Supply Chain Director; Supply Chain Vice President

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Supply Chain Managers.

More Management Careers

  • Confer with supply chain planners to forecast demand or create supply plans that ensure availability of materials or products.
  • Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.
  • Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.
  • Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.
  • Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors, or freight forwarders.
  • Meet with suppliers to discuss performance metrics, to provide performance feedback, or to discuss production forecasts or changes.
  • Implement new or improved supply chain processes.
  • Design or implement supply chains that support business strategies adapted to changing market conditions, new business opportunities, or cost reduction strategies.
  • Monitor supplier performance to assess ability to meet quality and delivery requirements.
  • Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, inventory control, warehousing, or receiving.
  • Participate in the coordination of engineering changes, product line extensions, or new product launches to ensure orderly and timely transitions in material or production flow.
  • Analyze information about supplier performance or procurement program success.
  • Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.
  • Collaborate with other departments, such as procurement, engineering, and quality assurance, to identify or qualify new suppliers.
  • Develop or implement procedures or systems to evaluate or select suppliers.
  • Document physical supply chain processes, such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows.
  • Develop material costs forecasts or standard cost lists.
  • Assess appropriate material handling equipment needs and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.
  • Design or implement plant warehousing strategies for production materials or finished products.
  • Appraise vendor manufacturing ability through on-site visits and measurements.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Supply Chain Managers.

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Supply Chain Managers.

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