Supply Chain Managers

Global Supply Chain Director

Material Requirements Planning Manager

Solution Design and Analysis Manager

Supply Chain Director

Supply Chain Manager

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.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$58810.0 - $175530.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

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
- Microsoft PowerPoint 365
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
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
- Radio frequency identification RFID scanners
Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
Laser fax machine
- Laser facsimile machines
Personal computers

Knowledge

Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
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.

1425 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R30,860pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Supply Chain Manager in South Africa

The South African logistics and procurement landscape is evolving rapidly. Currently, there are 1544 active jobs in the sector, with an average salary of R30,860pm. Market data from 2024 indicates a strong growth trend in compensation; starting the year at approximately R27,157 in January, the average monthly earnings have climbed steadily to R33,946 by December. This upward trajectory reflects the increasing value businesses place on professionals who can navigate complex global and local trade routes.

Is Supply Chain Management Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before stepping into this leadership role, evaluate your alignment with the following core traits required for success in the South African market:

Analytical Rigour: Can you interpret complex data sets to forecast demand and identify potential bottlenecks before they occur?
Resilience and Agility: Are you able to remain calm and decisive when faced with unpredictable disruptions, such as port delays or infrastructure challenges?
Strategic Negotiation: Do you possess the interpersonal skills to negotiate effectively with diverse stakeholders, from local manufacturers to international freight forwarders?
Meticulous Organisation: Is your approach to work structured enough to manage inventory, transport, and warehousing simultaneously?
Ethical Leadership: Can you uphold high standards of corporate governance and ethical procurement in a complex regulatory environment?

A Day in the Life of a South African Supply Chain Manager

Your day typically begins before the first delivery truck leaves the depot. In the South African context, the role is highly dynamic and requires a "boots-on-the-ground" mentality combined with corporate strategy. You might start your morning reviewing real-time tracking data to mitigate risks associated with local transit, followed by a briefing with warehouse managers to ensure health and safety protocols are met.

By midday, your focus shifts to the "Big Picture"—meeting with the finance department to discuss cost-optimisation strategies in response to fuel price volatility. Your afternoon may involve a virtual consultation with international suppliers to secure "Just-In-Time" inventory. It is a career spent at the intersection of commerce, technology, and physical movement, where your decisions directly impact the company's bottom line and customer satisfaction across the country.

Education & Upskilling

To enter this field, a solid educational foundation is non-negotiable. Most South African employers look for a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Supply Chain Management or a National Diploma in Logistics from an accredited University or TVET college. These programmes provide the theoretical framework for understanding global trade, commercial law, and operations management.

However, a degree is only the starting point. To truly excel, you must embrace continuous learning through specialised short courses and professional certifications. Seeking accreditation from professional bodies such as SAPICS (The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management) or CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) is highly recommended. As technologies like AI-driven forecasting and Blockchain-enabled tracking become industry standards, keeping your skills current through regular upskilling is the only way to remain competitive in this high-demand sector.

Next Steps

The transition into supply chain management is a significant career milestone that requires a blend of formal education, practical experience, and a specific psychological profile. If you are a natural problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is ready to take on the responsibility of keeping South Africa’s economy moving, you are already halfway there. Don’t leave your career progression to chance—take the proactive step to validate your potential. Test your readiness now by completing our comprehensive industry assessment and see if you are truly prepared to lead in the world of supply chain management.

Skills

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.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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?

Bachelor's degree

67 %
Master's degree

19 %
Post-baccalaureate certificate

10 %

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

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Developing and Building Teams
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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

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.
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.