Supply Chain Managers

Overview

Supply Chain Managers has a national median salary of $107,230 per year, with +6.1% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Support

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.
• Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing, or receiving.
• Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.
• Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.
• Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.

Work Activities

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Developing and Building Teams
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Working with Computers
• Coaching and Developing Others

Detailed Work Activities

• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Supply Chain Managers:

Video Resources