The qualifications you need to work in supply chain management are an educational foundation and several years of work experience.
To become a supply chain manager usually requires, at minimum, a bachelor's degree. While bachelor's programs focus specifically on supply chain management, several other relevant majors exist in finance, business, or engineering.
There are several key components of the overall supply chain and logistics process, including:
Investment recovery
Distribution
Inventory control
Logistics
Manufacturing supervision
Materials management
Packaging
Procurement and purchasing
Product and service development
Quality control
Receiving
Strategic sourcing
Transportation and shipping
Warehousing and storage
After earning a bachelor's degree, aspiring supply chain managers generally need to get early work experience. This is a profession where people work their way up, and early work experience often consists of roles with lower responsibility, but that still maintains touchpoints with the supply chain.
Jobs and internships in supply chain analysis, product distribution, inventory management, and business operations are great starting positions for future supply chain managers.
This is because these roles will teach you about the fast-paced workflow, data-based decision making, and interdepartmental communication that's essential to supply chain management. This hands-on experience is invaluable in the early stages of one's career, and some employers will even subsidize their employees' graduate-level education.
