What Do Supply Chain Manager Do?
Supply Chain Manager Definition Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.
A Day in the Life of a Supply Chain Manager
- Meet with suppliers to discuss performance metrics, to provide performance feedback, or to discuss production forecasts or changes.
- Diagram supply chain models to help facilitate discussions with customers.
- Document physical supply chain processes, such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows.
- Design or implement supply chains that support business strategies adapted to changing market conditions, new business opportunities, or cost reduction strategies.
- Develop or implement procedures or systems to evaluate or select suppliers.
- Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Supply Chain Manager?
When polled, Supply Chain Managers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Supply Chain Operations Manager
- Supply Chain Generalist
- Material Requirements Planning Manager
- Demand Planning Manager
- Solution Design and Analysis Manager
Job Outlook for Supply Chain Managers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 992,100 jobs in the United States for Supply Chain Manager. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 79,600 new jobs for Supply Chain Manager by 2026. There will be an estimated 79,200 positions for Supply Chain Manager per year.
The states with the most job growth for Supply Chain Manager are Utah, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Supply Chain Manager
Supply Chain Managers make between $52,550 and $183,430 a year.
Supply Chain Managers who work in District of Columbia, Virginia, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Supply Chain Managers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $106,680 |
Alaska | $118,650 |
Arizona | $101,630 |
Arkansas | $86,410 |
California | $143,350 |
Colorado | $138,490 |
Connecticut | $129,730 |
Delaware | $134,410 |
District of Columbia | $147,460 |
Florida | $99,240 |
Georgia | $118,060 |
Hawaii | $93,760 |
Idaho | $85,070 |
Illinois | $90,080 |
Indiana | $71,560 |
Iowa | $101,360 |
Kansas | $102,560 |
Kentucky | $92,630 |
Louisiana | $87,080 |
Maine | $96,570 |
Maryland | $122,050 |
Massachusetts | $131,450 |
Michigan | $98,780 |
Minnesota | $128,590 |
Mississippi | $82,230 |
Missouri | $97,820 |
Montana | $76,990 |
Nebraska | $101,380 |
Nevada | $102,060 |
New Hampshire | $123,580 |
New Jersey | $138,820 |
New Mexico | $96,490 |
New York | $124,160 |
North Carolina | $121,500 |
North Dakota | $109,820 |
Ohio | $107,320 |
Oklahoma | $102,710 |
Oregon | $94,400 |
Pennsylvania | $126,290 |
Rhode Island | $114,660 |
South Carolina | $100,890 |
South Dakota | $99,030 |
Tennessee | $83,010 |
Texas | $122,130 |
Utah | $102,290 |
Vermont | $105,950 |
Virginia | $134,500 |
Washington | $125,490 |
West Virginia | $77,290 |
Wisconsin | $85,050 |
Wyoming | $100,310 |
What Tools & Technology do Supply Chain Managers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Supply Chain Managers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- MEDITECH software
- Minitab
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Graphics software
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Oracle Hyperion
Becoming a Supply Chain Manager
Learn what Supply Chain Manager education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Supply Chain Managers?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Supply Chain Manager might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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