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Who is a Supply Chain Manager?
Almost all quality improvement comes via simplification of design, manufacturing, layout, processes, and procedures ~ Tom Peters
The supply chain manager oversees a company's machinery, supplies, and logistics. A supply Chain Manager career involves managing all steps from raw material purchase to timely product delivery and meeting customer demand. He or she must ensure the timely delivery of resources to carry out various operations of the organisation and the production of goods and services to be offered for sale.
A supply chain manager helps the organisation to cut costs and unnecessary steps in the production process to enable fast services and delivery of goods to the customers. Aspiring individuals pursue degrees like BBA and MBA to enter this field. This discussion covers how to become a supply chain manager, his or her roles, responsibilities, development programs, and career path.
Quick Facts for Supply Chain Manager
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Average Salary in India
₹59500
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Suitable for
Male, Female
Individuals can take up a career as supply chain managers, it is not gender-specific. Men, women, and others can choose a career as supply chain managers. An individual belonging to any race or gender of the society may become a supply chain manager.
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Any special needs
Yes
Everyone, including those with physical disabilities, is appropriate for individuals who opt for a career as supply chain managers. The career as supply chain managers is well suited to everyone, even those with special needs. The positions of a supply chain manager required a bit physical activity as compared to other managerial employments.
Table of Contents for Supply Chain Manager
What is the role of Supply Chain Manager?
The Supply Chain Manager oversees the organisation's supply chain, enhancing quality and profitability. In India, this role is pivotal for successful vendor and distributor relationships. Project management proficiency is crucial, enabling a comprehensive understanding of business operations. Supply Chain Managers should introduce innovative ideas, from workforce optimization to advanced technology, to expedite market delivery of goods in larger quantities.
Supply chain managers follow some steps such as sales order processing, order handling, order fulfilment, billing, and cash payment.
Supply chain managers and other stakeholders should take immediate action before tiny problems get even bigger.
Sourcing and distribution, for many companies, are a major part of the supply chain operations.
Individuals who opt for a career as supply chain managers also encourage sourcing and distribution, which should also be a primary concern.
Types of a Supply Chain Manager
There are various types of supply chain managers based on different aspects like skills, experience, expertise, and type of industry. This may include production planners, warehouse managers, sales representatives, production planners, and others. Here, in this section, we will discuss various jobs in the supply chain management career path.
Production planners: Production planners are responsible for the quality and timeliness of the production cycle. Production planners' responsibilities involve a clear emphasis on the goods or products needed in the manufacturing process, ensuring that the entire workforce is adequately managed for optimal performance. The duties of production planners include planning the development process for one or more items.
Capacity planners: Capacity planners collect performance data and evaluate a department or unit's productivity in order to assess achievement or differences with production schedules. They produce reports which analyse production capacities and identify areas where improvements are required. Capacity planners' objective in careers in logistics and supply chain management is to maximise production or supply resources through process, design, and asset procurement.
Load planners: Load planners work to streamline every element of transporting freight. In this career, they focus on reducing shipping costs, increasing the speed routes and enhancing loads for all types of transportation. Load planners embrace job experience and key competencies with logistics technology rather than a degree.
Warehouse manager: Warehouse managers work in warehouses where individuals oversee the payment process, dispatch, and storage. Warehouse managers manage warehouse personnel, vehicles and other equipment, and supervise safety, sanitary conditions, and administrative duties. Warehouse managers sustain warehouse management, and distribution operations by implementing and enforcing policies and procedures.
Logistician: A logistician is an individual who oversees activities including purchasing, shipping and transportation, inventory, warehousing, and delivery. He or she is responsible for directing the movement of a range of goods, people, or supplies, starting from common consumer goods to military supplies.
Sales Representative: Sales representatives strive to achieve maximum output with minimum input. If you are good at understanding and convincing people, the sales representatives career can be enjoyable for you. Sales representatives are candidates who have been transferred to the sales from other departments.
What is the workplace/work environment of Supply Chain Manager like?
Working conditions vary from location to location, and are dependent on several factors. The working conditions depend on the nature of the job and the responsibilities assigned to the employee. The business environment for a supply chain manager is an office environment where managers supervise and evaluate the company's day-to-day operations.
Does Supply Chain Manager require travelling?
Likely
Individuals who opt for a career as a supply chain manager are required to travel to several production sites if they are working for a multi-located business. This is a regular managerial job, so the person is usually working in an office but they often have to visit the workshop. They also need to visit different vendors or partners to find new factors of production or management.
Time Pressure
Likely
Individuals who opt for a career as a supply chain manager perform certain activities for a company or individual in a specific time-span. This job takes a lot of time and mental resources.
How to become a Supply Chain Manager?
Steps to become a Supply Chain Manager
Embarking on a career as a Supply Chain Manager in India involves a strategic approach. This guide outlines how to become a Supply Chain Manager in India, covering key steps from pursuing education and certifications to gaining practical experience. With a focus on essential skills, it provides a roadmap for individuals aspiring to navigate the pathway to becoming proficient Supply Chain Managers in the dynamic field of logistics.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Supply Chain Manager?
When it comes to how to become a supply chain manager, the first thing that they should know about is the skills required to opt for a career in supply chain management in India. We have mentioned some of the essential skills required for the supply chain management career path.
Problem-solving ability: Problem-solving is beneficial to both employees and businesses as it enables everyone to maintain control over the working environment. The ability to solve problems refers to the ability to deal with complicated or unforeseen situations, and also complex financial difficulties.
Organising skills: Organisational skills allow employees to perform their roles and responsibilities as appropriate to their positions. Therefore, maintaining the work environment in the organisation, not only allows team members to work efficiently but also promotes the priorities and objectives of an employee’s career. Customer supply chain managers acknowledge and evaluate the requirements of equipment and resources in the production process of an organisation.
Analytical skills: Analytical abilities support a candidate's ability to analyse information and apply reasoning to identify trends or draw conclusions. People use analysis in the workplace to investigate the production process, requirements and optimise productivity meticulously. It will help supply chain managers to make improvements in production and help them to understand consumers’ needs.
Business sense: Supply chain managers should understand how a company develops and accomplishes its goals and priorities. Customer supply chain managers must understand the business of their clients to figure out the requirements of the business. It helps supply chain managers to offer products and services that suit the clients.
Communication Skills: Employees will experience an increase in performance, competitiveness and engagement when coordinating with clients and customers. Customer supply chain managers can not sustain without communication skills within the industry. Supply chain managers are required to communicate with their customers daily.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Supply Chain Manager?
Apart from formal training, you can also opt for an additional short-term certification course to gain more knowledge and enhance your skills. Pursuing a specialised certification is not mandatory but it is recommended.We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt for who want to establish a career as a supply chain manager.
Professional Certificate Program in Supply Chain Strategy and Management
Executive Certificate Program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Professional Certificate in Supply Chain & Inventory Management
Executive Certificate Program in Supply Chain & Logistics Management
Internship Availability
Internships are focused on providing industry and making the interns understand the supply chain management roles and responsibilities. Additionally, internships give the potential candidate the ability to apply the theoretical concepts he or she acquired during their college days to put them into practical use. The internship also allows students to improve their expertise, knowledge and concepts that they primarily learned during the course.
Supply Chain Manager Jobs and Salaries
Operations manager
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 56000
Job Description
Operations managers are important members of a management team and oversee human resources duties such as attracting talent and setting standards for training and hiring procedures. They also evaluate and improve processes of organisation and function to enhance quality, profitability and performance.
Salary Description
The more experience that operations managers earn in the field, the higher the salary and opportunity they will make in the business. Operations managers earn more at the early stage of jobs which is better than most other professions. The average annual salary of SCM ranges from Rs, 3.0 Lakhs to Rs. 21.0 Lakhs per annum.
Logistics manager
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 63000
Job Description
Logistics managers are responsible for planning, coordinating and monitoring logistics operations such as processes relating to warehousing, inventory, transport and supply chain. Logistics managers supervise a distribution personnel team or other logistics experts. They are often in charge of a particular area.
Salary Description
Logistics managers' salaries depend on career growth or rely entirely on the particular field experience. Logistics managers' salaries depend largely on the employees' experience. On average, logistics managers earn up to Rs. 10.0 lakhs per year. At the early stage, they get more than Rs. 3.1 lakhs a year but at the senior level, they end up getting more than Rs. 23.5 lakhs.
(Salary Credit: Ambition Box)
What is the job outlook for Supply Chain Manager?
Globalisation has lowered manufacturing costs but increased supply chain uncertainty. Supply chain professionals must be creative, travel globally, and work long hours, yet the field lacks the prestige of other careers. The unpredictability stems from global changes and candidate effort. Understanding logistics alone isn’t enough. Entry-level logisticians review and supervise supply chains, and demand is rising in India.
Frequently Asked Questions for Supply Chain Manager
Que. What does the supply chain manager do?
Ans.Supply chain managers are responsible for delivering products to the consumer, from producers and suppliers. They supervise and control every stage of the production process, from purchasing the raw materials to delivering the finished product.
Que. Do supply chain managers travel a lot?
Ans.Travelling is part of the system which they have embraced in the career of the supply chain. If the product is located within the country, supply chain managers may have to travel within the country and if delivered globally, then they will have to travel abroad based on the terms of the company.
Que. Is supply chain management difficult to study?
Ans."Difficult" is a subjective term. The course in Supply Chain Management would allow you to complete statistics and quantitative analysis involving mathematics, and if it seems difficult then it would be challenging. Besides these two are mostly designed to obtain information.
Que. Which is better marketing or supply chain?
Ans.The supply chain is broader than commercial networks. It starts with raw materials and provides insight into manufacturing and inventory management processes. Marketing channels concentrate on putting together the stakeholders who can offer the best marketing mix to the consumer in the most effective way to optimise value.
Que. Who is a Purchasing manager?
Ans.The career in purchasing management is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details as it can affect the overall functioning of the organisation. As industrialisation is increasing daily the demand for career as purchasing managers have been increasing at a higher rate as well.
Que. What is the role of Sales Representative?
Ans.Sales representative responsibilities are to supply retail products and services to consumers. They work with clients to figure out what they want, to build ideas and ensure a smooth selling process. They can also work by company directories, client reviews, or visits to potential or current clients to find new sales leads.
Que. How long does it take to become supply chain manager?
Ans.The time to become a supply chain manager varies, but it typically takes several years of education and work experience. It often involves earning a degree and gaining relevant industry experience, which may take around 5 to 10 years.
Que. What qualification is required for supply chain management?
Ans.A qualification in supply chain management usually requires a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as business, logistics, or engineering. Many supply chain managers also pursue master's degrees or professional certifications to enhance their expertise.
Que. What experience do you need to be a supply chain manager?
Ans.To be a supply chain manager, significant experience in the field is crucial. Most employers seek candidates with 5 to 10 years of progressive experience in supply chain roles, showcasing expertise in logistics, procurement, and overall supply chain operations.
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