Blog

What is a Supply Chain Analyst?

Posted by [email protected] on Jan. 15, 2021  /  Subscribe 0

Right now, things are getting pretty interesting in the universe of supply chain management. Figuring out exactly what's going on and what the future might hold is what a supply chain analyst does. In the world of manufacturing and production, there's probably no one more important or in demand, so answering the question, What is a supply chain analyst?, can make a lot of sense now and as we look to the future. As access to regional, domestic, and off-shore resources shifts, making plans to keep a factory in production takes a professional approach. 

Supply Chain Operations Depends on Proper Analysis

Understanding and analyzing data from the supply chain process is the analyst job that begins the process of obtaining the materials and supplies necessary for production. Once the data is compiled, the supply chain manager can acquire and inventory the needed components for manufacturing to continue without interruption. An analyst provides information that suggests improvements in the supply chain process to increase efficiency, decrease costs, and control incoming and outgoing transportation issues.

What Goes into Supply Chain Analysis?

Data for supply chain operations comes from various sources and contains essential tidbits of information that only a trained supply chain analyst can mine. Computer applications can bring attention to important issues and concerns that supply chain management should concentrate on to avoid potential bottlenecks or stoppages in the chain. Gleaning the critical information and separating it from the volumes of data being reviewed, however, takes a keen understanding of each step in the process of acquiring, inventorying, manufacturing, and distributing finished products. The costs associated with managing incoming and outgoing materials makes analysis a critical component to an efficient supply chain.

Stepping Up and Getting In

As with most jobs, you must complete a few prerequisites before claiming the supply chain analyst title. Experience is always a good thing to post on your resume but so is focused instruction and education. Fortunately, there are schools and resources that can help a burgeoning supply chain manager or administrator become a supply chain analyst. Accreditation and on-going training are essential and valuable tools for a career in supply chain management, but graduation from industry-recognized institutions is paramount for securing a position with any manufacturer. 

CPIM, CSCP, CLTD Stand for Excellence in Supply Chain Management

When it's time to move forward and become enmeshed in becoming a supply chain analyst, it's going to require some decision-making on your part. There are educational credentials that advance a career in supply chain management and provide vital resources going into the future, such as continuing education classes, a community of supply chain enthusiasts and educators, and much more. Each designation carries its own curriculum and is offered as an online certification program by the Association of Supply Chain Management, also known as APICS, an international organization committed to industrial supply chain education.

• CPIM - Certified in Production and Inventory Management - This topic covers all the basics of supply chain management and operations and provides an excellent background for additional education.
• CSCP - Certified Supply Chain Professional - Education in automated programs, applications, and other technical support resources to fine-tune supply chain operations.
• CLTD - Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution - The process of getting materials to the factory and then getting them delivered to customers is what keeps production running. This certification focuses on the important issues associated with moving materials around the corner and around the globe. 

The Time to Act is Now—APICS

Recent global developments have created a significant need for fresh talent and creative perspectives in the supply chain industry. You can cash in on this growing demand by acquiring the education necessary to join the world of supply chain analysis. Small or large, domestic or international, there are high-paying positions out there waiting to be filled by competent, up-to-date professionals with the right background, which means getting certified as a professional in supply chain analysis. 

At APICS, our mission is to continue the advancement of end-to-end supply chain management through a body of knowledge, innovative research, and methods to create value for customers, MEMBERS, and organizations alike. To learn more about educational resources for supply chain analysis careers or to find more answers to questions like “What is a supply chain analyst,” visit our EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS page. 

Return to list