What is a Career in Supply Chain Management Like?

Supply Chain Definition:
 

• The supply chain encompasses all entities involved in product manufacturing to delivery, including raw material suppliers, manufacturers, and third-party logistics providers, as seen in Apple's iPhone production.

• Scope of Supply Chain Management:

  • SCM extends beyond the movement and storage of goods.
  • Encompasses materials, information, and financial flows throughout the supply chain.

• Example: Apple follows five stages in its supply chain management: planning an operational strategy, sourcing materials, manufacturing (making), delivering products, and handling returns.

• Importance of Supply Chain Management: Effective supply chain management is crucial for reducing operational expenses, enhancing brand recognition, and improving customer service, making it vital for long-term business success.

• Career in Supply Chain Management: Due to its importance, companies invest heavily in supply chain professionals, who are well-compensated, with an average salary of $84,000 per year in the U.S. and around 8.5 lakhs per annum in India.

Day-to-Day Operations and Challenges:

• Supply Chain Management offers dynamic and unpredictable workdays.
• Professionals deal with various unexpected events and crises regularly, requiring immediate action.

Data-Driven Nature:

• Data analysis plays a crucial role in SCM.
• Professionals need to sift through vast amounts of data to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently.

Importance of People Skills:

• Effective people skills are essential in SCM.
• Emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and customer service abilities.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Broadening:

• Continuous learning and broadening of knowledge base are critical for success.
• Professionals need to understand the complexities and variables involved in supply chain operations.

Management of People:

• Knowing how to manage people is as important as managing the supply chain.
• Strong interpersonal skills are vital for career progression.
• Networking is crucial for career advancement in SCM.
• Building relationships and finding mentors can provide invaluable support and guidance.

Pressure in Supply Chain Management:

• SCM is a pressure-packed field with competitive and demanding environments.
• Mistakes or missed deadlines can lead to significant financial losses.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability:

• SCM can contribute to environmental sustainability through optimization and waste reduction.
• Professionals can work towards creating more efficient and environmentally friendly supply chains.

Variety of Career Opportunities:

• SCM offers a variety of career opportunities with advancement potential.
• Job titles include operations analysts, buyers, production managers, coordinators, and more, with promising earning potential.

Course Forward:

If you're interested in growing into a career in Supply Chain Management, a great option to get involved now is to join an SCM Pillar or Project team in your organization.  To learn more about the SCM Pillar, this short article and video will give you a great overview.  Link:  https://www.beltcourse.com/blog/integrating-lean-and-tpm-the-supply-chain-management-scm-pillar-overview

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAy3S-7Hbm4&list=PLyVgVZd7jUlrAwzxca3m8pzo6Z3Y1KejV&index=208