The supply chain manager is a critical position in any company. They work with the company’s production, purchasing, and distribution teams to ensure that products are delivered on time and in good condition.
The role of the supply chain manager is to manage the flow of materials from their point of origin to their final destination. The supply chain manager is responsible for tracking all inventory throughout its lifecycle, which includes ordering raw materials and making sure there are enough supplies on hand for production to continue smoothly. The supply chain manager also ensures that the finished product gets into consumers’ hands as quickly as possible by making sure that deliveries are made on time and in good condition.
In order to become a supply chain manager, you must first have experience working in an entry-level position within your industry. It’s important to understand how different departments interact with each other within your company before moving on up into management roles! Once you’ve gained some experience working at this level, you can start applying for positions above it. You will need several years of experience at this level before being considered for promotion; however, if you have exceptional qualifications or experience then it may not take as long!
How To Become Supply Chain Manager
When it comes to making a successful modern business, efficiency is the name of the game. As companies increasingly source their products along a multi-national pipeline, they’re in greater need of experts who can optimize that pipeline. Those experts are supply chain managers.
Optimizing the supply chain can transform a business. Amazon re-designed the typical supply chain formula to remove latencies in inventory and lower prices beyond what competitors were capable of. DHL tackled the old paper-based processing system at border checks by sending its customers paperwork before it sent the package, greatly speeding up the delivery process. In each case, supply chain management was the secret sauce that saved both the company and the customer a great deal of time, money, and hassle.
Supply chain managers work in three key areas: logistics (uniting sales and operations departments to optimize procurement processes); operations (managing product flows, optimizing warehouse processes; restructuring transportation networks); and finance (refining budgets to accurately report costs of inventory management; comparing and contrasting different methods of inventory recovery). All this requires a unique blend of theoretical and practical business knowledge.
If a supply chain is not working, the larger business is not working either. That’s why, in today’s world, supply chain managers are critical. Supply chain managers may calculate how to bring manufacturing operations back to America in a cost-effective manner. They may implement methods of making supply chains greener and more sustainable. Furthermore, automation and big data allow for complex calculations that can save resources and super-charge innovation.
If you’re interested in crunching the numbers and streamlining the future, check out our step-by-step guide to becoming a supply chain manager.
| FEATURED ERP & OPERATIONS PROGRAMS | ||
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| Syracuse University | Online MBA – Supply Chain Management | View Full Profile |
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| UNC Pembroke | Online MBA – Supply Chain Management | View Full Profile |
Step by Step Guide to Becoming a Supply Chain Manager
Step One: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree (Four Years)
After graduating from high school, aspiring supply chain managers will need to earn a bachelor’s degree. While there are bachelor’s programs that focus specifically on supply chain management, several other relevant majors exist, that include finance, business, or even engineering.
Admissions requirements vary from school to school but generally include some combination of the following: a competitive high school GPA (3.0 or greater); SAT and/or ACT scores; letter(s) of recommendation; and a personal statement.
According to US News & World Report, the online bachelor of science in supply chain management program at Arizona State University is the second-best in the nation. Its curriculum includes courses such as global supply chain management; business decision models; logistics management; supply chain strategy; and planning and control systems for supply chain management. The program consists of 120 credits and costs approximately $688 per credit.
The number one supply chain management program on the US News & World Report list is the on-campus bachelor of arts option at Michigan State University. In addition to breadth requirements that span across several areas of business, students take classes such as procurement and supply chain management; procurement contracting; customs, compliance, and security; end-to-end simulation using SCODE; and supply chain decision modeling. The program consists of 120 credits, and costs approximately $40,726 per year for non-residents.
Step Two: Gain Early Work Experience (Optional, Timeline Varies)
After earning a bachelor’s degree, aspiring supply chain managers generally need to get early work experience. This is a profession where people work their way up and early work experience often consists of roles with lower responsibility—but ones that maintain touchpoints with the supply chain.
Jobs and internships in supply chain analysis, product distribution, inventory management, and business operations can teach aspiring supply chain managers about the fast-paced workflow, data-based decision making, and interdepartmental communication that’s essential to supply chain management. This sort of hands-on education is invaluable in the early stages of one’s career and as a bonus, some employers will even subsidize their employees’ graduate-level education.
Step Three: Earn a Master’s Degree (Optional, One to Three Years)
While some supply chain managers are hired with only a bachelor’s degree, it’s becoming increasingly common for employers to request graduate-level education. Dedicated master’s programs exist in supply chain management, but a master’s of business administration (MBA) can cover the fundamentals of all business processes, while still allowing for specialization in supply chain management. Entry requirements vary from school to school but generally include some combination of the following: a competitive (3.0 or greater) undergraduate GPA; GMAT and/or GRE scores; work experience; letter(s) of recommendation; and a personal statement.
When it comes to a graduate-level education in supply chain management, Michigan State University and Arizona State University once again rank among the top three.
Michigan State University’s on-campus MBA with a concentration in supply chain management can also be completed in 21 months. The curriculum is broken down into 31 credits of foundational knowledge, 12 credits on the selected concentration, and 18 credits of electives.
Concentration courses include emerging topics in supply management; manufacturing design and analysis; supply chain logistics; strategic sourcing; and integrated logistics systems. Tuition and fees total $54,556 for non-residents.
Arizona State University’s MBA with a concentration in supply chain management can be completed in 21 months. The concentration has several courses focused solely on supply chain management, including strategic procurement; services in the supply chain; sustainability and social responsibility; operations planning and execution; and project management. Full-time tuition and fees total $95,470 for non-residents.
Step Four: Gain Advanced Work Experience (Timeline Varies)
After earning a master’s degree, many aspiring supply chain managers focus on gaining work experience in leadership roles. This is the stage at which all of one’s graduate-level education is put into practice. Advanced work experience means learning on the job every day and teaching others along the way. While this could be seen as the terminal step for supply chain managers, it also builds towards the requirements for professional certification.
Step Five: Consider Professional Certification (Optional, Timeline Varies)
While it’s not a requirement to practice, many supply chain managers seek to further their education and distinguish themselves in the industry by pursuing professional certification. Offered by peer-led organizations, these certifications demonstrate one’s industry expertise and a commitment to the evolving best practices in supply chain management.
The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) designation. Eligibility requirements include a bachelor’s degree or three years of relevant work experience. Applicants must pass an eight-module exam that covers the following areas: global supply chain networks; sourcing products and services; supply chain risk; internal operations and inventory; and supply chain relationships. Exam fees total $1,295 for non-members and $995 for members.
CSCP-holders will need to recertify every five years by submitting proof of 75 professional development points and submitting a fee of $150. The ASCM also offers two other specialized designations of interest for supply chain managers: Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD).
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) offers the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) designation. Candidates need a minimum of three years in a supply chain management role. Once deemed eligible, candidates must pass a pass an exam in the fundamentals of supply chain management before earning their designation. For members, the exam fee is $495.
CPSM-holders must recertify every four years by completing 60 hours of continuing education credits, as well as paying a renewal fee of $135 for members and $295 for non-members. The ISM also offers the Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) designation for those who wish to specialize further.
Finally, the International Society of Logistics (SOLE) offers the Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) designation. Eligibility requirements include a master’s degree and at least four years of experience in logistics or a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience in logistics. Once the eligibility requirements are met, candidates will need to pass an eight-hour multiple-choice exam, which is broken up into four two-hour sessions. Exam fees are $375 for non-members. The CPL designation does not expire.
