Supply Chain Managers
What is a Supply Chain Manager?
A Supply Chain Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and optimizing the entire supply chain process within an organization. This role encompasses the management of the flow of goods and services, including all processes that transform raw materials into final products. Supply Chain Managers work to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure that product delivery aligns with customer demand and business goals. They collaborate extensively with suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and retailers to facilitate a seamless supply chain network.
Their responsibilities often include demand forecasting, inventory management, procurement of materials, and logistics coordination. Additionally, they analyze data to identify trends and areas for improvement, implement supply chain strategies, and ensure compliance with regulations and standards. Supply Chain Managers play a critical role in maintaining the quality and integrity of products throughout the supply chain while also managing relationships with stakeholders and ensuring sustainability practices are followed.
In a rapidly evolving market, Supply Chain Managers must adapt to changes in technology and consumer behavior, continuously seeking innovative solutions to improve supply chain performance. They often use advanced software and analytics tools to monitor supply chain metrics, predict potential disruptions, and develop contingency plans. Overall, Supply Chain Managers are integral to an organization's success, driving efficiency while ensuring customer satisfaction and fostering long-term strategic partnerships.
Tasks
- Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.
- Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing, or receiving.
- Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.
- Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.
- Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.
Technology Skills
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Presentation software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
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Analytical or scientific software
- Minitab Statistical Software
- SAP Integrated Business Planning
- Simulation and modeling software
- Data base user interface and query software
Tools Used
- Radio frequency scanners
- Notebook computers
- Laser fax machine
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Personal computers
Knowledge
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Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Skills
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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.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Bachelor's degree
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Master's degree
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Post-baccalaureate certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master
Work Activities
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Developing and Building Teams
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Detailed Work Activities
- Estimate cost or material requirements.
- Estimate labor requirements.
- Manage inventories of products or organizational resources.
- Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.
- Develop procedures to evaluate organizational activities.
Work Interests
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Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$58810.0 - $175530.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.