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Answering the Question ‘What Does a Supply Chain Manager Do?

Posted by [email protected] on Jul. 19, 2019  /  Subscribe 2

On average, supply chain managers work more than 40 hours per week. However, many consider the longer work week well worth it for the salary. According to Glassdoor.com, supply chain managers in Houston can expect to earn anywhere from $67.6k - 119k per year. Salary.com places Houston supply chain managers at a higher caliber, claiming that this crucial job can bring in anywhere from $87.4k - 146k per year. With the potential to earn six figures, it is no wonder that this career is being sought out now more than ever. In researching this high-earning job, you may ask, “What does a supply chain manager do?” We are here to give you the run-down on the duties of supply chain managers, as well as the steps you can take to become one yourself and the skills that many chain managers need to possess in order to land the job.

General Supply Chain Manager Duties

A supply chain manager’s role is to oversee the entirety of a supply chain, maximizing efficiency through proper management. Supply chain managers are responsible for things such as productivity quality as well as maintaining good standing with vendors and distributors. Good communication skills are crucial to this role, as well as organization skills. With the right manager overseeing a supply chain, everything runs smoothly and as efficiently as possible, from the purchasing of raw materials to the business administration side of the company. One way a manager can prepare their supply chain for maximum efficiency is through forecasting supply and demand of materials, thus saving their company time and money. To learn more about supply chain forecasting, visit this blog. 

The Skills Supply Chain Managers Possess

A quick peruse through Linkedin job descriptions will prove that there are certain keywords that commonly stand out in every job posting. Here is a compilation of some of the most popular phrases used by recruiters in their supply chain manager job descriptions:

• Oversee daily operations for purchasing, warehousing and logistics.

• Anticipate the needs of internal stakeholders

• Identify, notify and manage potential shortages

• Track and report key performance measures

As you can tell, supply chain employers look for not only soft skills such as organization and communication, but working business knowledge. As such, many supply chain employers require that you have a Bachelor’s degree in a business-related subject. In addition to obtaining a degree, having a history of internships in a related field can act as a helpful foot in the door. For tips on how you can start your search for a supply chain internship, read this blog. 

How To Become a Supply Chain Manager

APICS is the premier provider for supply chain and logistics certifications. There are three main certifications offered by APICS that you can obtain to prove to employers your knowledge: the CPIM, CSCP, and the CLTD. If you are interested in logistics, then a Certification in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) is for you. Likewise, if you wish to pursue production and inventory management, then a Certification in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) is the perfect choice. Lastly, the Certification for Supply Chain Professionals (CSCP) is great for individuals that want a bird’s eye view of supply chain processes. This is a great certification for supply chain managers to hold, as they will need to have a full understanding of the processes they oversee. The CSCP certification is also a safe choice for those who are unsure of what type of supply chain they want to work in, but still want to possess the skills necessary to manage effectively.

In addition to obtaining internships or a degree in supply chain management, obtaining certification will be absolutely necessary in landing a high paying supply chain job. Now that you know the answer to “What does a supply chain manager do?”, your next step is to research how to become a supply chain manager. We provide plenty of resources for you to gain a better understanding of this career path to help you on your way to that coveted six-figure salary.

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