Planning and Forecasting
Common Career Paths
- Capacity planning
- Forecasting and demand planning
- Inventory management
- Inventory deployment
- Long term capacity planning
- Material requirements planning
- Performance analysis
- Replenishment planning
- Supply planning
- Tactical capacity planner
Employers
- Manufacturers of: industrial goods, consumer goods, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, pharmaceutical, technology companies
IT companies - Consumer goods retailers
- Service providers: hospitals, hotels and restaurants, educational institutions, state and local government, media/entertainment, construction, consulting firms
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Defense
- Armed Forces
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Department of Transportation
- Logistics: trucking and moving companies, air freight and air carriers, rail freight and rail carriers, ocean freight carriers, ship lines, shipping companies, transportation companies, pipeline companies, warehousers, dedicated carriers, freight forwarders, third party logistics firms
Strategies
- Demonstrate interest and understanding of statistical analysis.
- Develop proficiency in data planning software like Excel and SAP and an aptitude to learn and use modern inventory management tools.
- Learn to think big picture when dealing with extensive networks.
- Expect to adapt to potential risks and disruptions.
- Learn to communicate effectively across various levels of proficiency and locations.
Purchasing/Sourcing/Buying
Common Career Paths
- Category management
- Contract management
- Contract negotiation
- Global buying
- Indirect sourcing
- Procurement analyst
- Strategic sourcing
- Supplier sourcing
Employers
- Manufacturers of: industrial goods, consumer goods, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, pharmaceutical, technology companies
IT companies - Consumer goods retailers
- Service providers: banks and financial institutions, hospitals, hotels and restaurants, educational institutions, state and local government, media/entertainment, real estate, construction, consulting firms
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Defense
- Armed Forces
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Department of Transportation
- Logistics: trucking and moving companies, air freight and air carriers, rail freight and rail carriers, ocean freight carriers, ship lines, shipping companies, transportation companies, pipeline companies, warehousers, dedicated carriers, freight forwarders, third party logistics firms
Strategies
- Develop strong communication skills to work with both domestic and global suppliers.
- Cultivate attention to detail when evaluating contracts.
- Hone negotiation skills.
- Learn to think strategically to develop sustainable and ethical sourcing strategies.
- Understand how to build long term relationships with supplier contacts.
Customer Supply Chain
Common Career Paths
- Customer fulfillment and order management
- Customer service supply chain
- Customer solutions
- Logistics customer service
Employers
- Manufacturers of: industrial goods, consumer goods, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, pharmaceutical, technology companies
IT companies - Consumer goods retailers
- Service providers: banks and financial institutions, hospitals, hotels and restaurants, educational institutions, media/entertainment, real estate, construction, consulting firms
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Defense
- Armed Forces
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Department of Transportation
- Logistics: trucking and moving companies, air freight and air carriers, rail freight and rail carriers, ocean freight carriers, ship lines, shipping companies, transportation companies, pipeline companies, warehousers, dedicated carriers, freight forwarders, third party logistics firms
Strategies
- Learn to adapt to customer demands and able to maintain strong vendor relationships.
- Experience in customer services facing roles is highly valued.
- Develop the ability to work collaboratively with other supply chain functions and with people in various sectors and industries.
- Expect to be knowledgeable about your company’s logistics and products and be able to articulate that well.
Operations Management (Manufacturing and Warehousing)
Common Career Paths
- Manufacturing
- Materials management
- Operations research
- Process engineering
- Process improvement
- Production management
- Quality management
- Supply chain and network optimization
- Operations systems management
- Warehouse operations
Employers
- Manufacturers of: industrial goods, consumer goods, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, pharmaceutical, technology companies
IT companies - Consumer goods retailers
- Service providers: banks and financial institutions, hospitals, hotels and restaurants, educational institutions, state and local government, media/entertainment, real estate, construction, consulting firms
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Defense
- Armed Forces
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Department of Transportation
- Logistics: trucking and moving companies, air freight and air carriers, rail freight and rail carriers, ocean freight carriers, ship lines, shipping companies, transportation companies, pipeline companies, warehousers, dedicated carriers, freight forwarders, third party logistics firms
Strategies
- Expect to work odd hours and be flexible with your schedule to help keep facilities running smoothly.
- Develop problem-solving skills and be able to articulate balancing big picture work with small details.
- Seek knowledge of process improvement skills like LEAN and Six Sigma.
- Experience working in a fast pace environment that will require problem solving skills.
- Detail orientation and high adaptability are relevant skills.
Logistics and Transportation Management
Common Career Paths
- Account management
- Dispatching
- Distribution
- Fleet management
- Freight management
- Import/Exports
- Logistics network design
- Reverse logistics
- Transportation management
- Transportation demand forecasting
Employers
- Manufacturers of: industrial goods, consumer goods, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, pharmaceutical, technology companies
IT companies - Consumer goods retailers
- Service providers: hospitals, hotels and restaurants, educational institutions, state and local government, construction, consulting firms
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Defense
- Armed Forces
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Department of Transportation
- Logistics: trucking and moving companies, air freight and air carriers, rail freight and rail carriers, ocean freight carriers, ship lines, shipping companies, transportation companies, pipeline companies, warehousers, dedicated carriers, freight forwarders, third party logistics firms
Strategies
- Develop strong communication skills.
- Cultivate the ability to build and maintain relation ships and practice communication skills in settings where you are providing direction to others or explaining complicated topics.
- Gain experience problem solving and looking for innovative solutions.
- Seek a well-rounded understanding of supply chain to communicate across functions.
Consulting and Strategy
Common Career Paths
- Information technology implementation
- Logistics network design
- Process engineering
- Process improvement
- Software selection
- Strategic sourcing
- Supply chain optimization
- Consulting in all areas listed above
Employers
- Manufacturers of: industrial goods, consumer goods, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, pharmaceutical, technology companies
IT companies - Consumer goods retailers
- Service providers: banks and financial institutions, hospitals, hotels and restaurants, educational institutions, state and local government, media/entertainment, real estate, construction, consulting firms
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Defense
- Armed Forces
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Department of Transportation
- Logistics: trucking and moving companies, air freight and air carriers, rail freight and rail carriers, ocean freight carriers, ship lines, shipping companies, transportation companies, pipeline companies, warehousers, dedicated carriers, freight forwarders, third party logistics firms
Strategies
- Develop analytics skills for data analysis and processing.
- Strong communication skills are critical.
- Develop the ability to take complicated issues/processes and explain them to people without a background in that area.
- Hone research skills and the ability to learn quickly and retain information well.
- Exhibit a willingness to learn and research in-depth information about clients’ businesses.
- Plan to travel and work non-traditional hours.
- Expect to work closely with senior consultants and partners.
Getting Started and Advancing in Major
- Many job opportunities exist in supply chain management, and they frequently transform as products and the marketplace change. Stay abreast of the field through participation in the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.
- The supply chain includes: marketing, product design, suppliers, manufacturing, logistics, customers, and reverse logistics. Jobs exist within all of these functions and processes.
- Majors in supply chain management, logistics, transportation, and industrial engineering are particularly helpful to gain entry into this functional area.
- Information technology, analytical, and quantitative skills are important in supply chain management. Develop flexibility, negotiation skills, and the ability to make sound decisions.
- Join student professional organizations and seek campus leadership positions.
- Complete one or more internships to gain related experience.
- Learn to work well on a team and to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
- Conduct informational interviews with professionals in jobs of interest to learn more about which functional areas and work environments are most appealing.
- Some organizations may not have a “logistics” department. Also look for positions in operations, manufacturing, purchasing, or marketing.
- Be willing to relocate to have more job opportunities.
- Develop and utilize a personal network of contacts. Once in a position, find a mentor.
- Research relevant industry credentials such as the Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) and Certification in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM).
- Many professionals start their supply chain management careers as analysts. Consider earning an MBA after gaining a few years of work experience to reach the highest levels.
Professional Associations
- APICS: American Production and Inventory Control Society
- American Trucking Association
- Association of American Railroads
- Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
- Institute for Supply Chain Management
- MHI
Related Resources
Occupational Outlook
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Industrial Production Managers
- Logisticians
- Management Analysts
- Operations Research Analysts
- Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives