Careers in Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is an essential part of the production flow as it ensures customer satisfaction. The process involves the planning, sourcing, development, and production of a product or service. The entire aspect of supply chain management is reducing a company’s operating costs and ensuring that it makes a profit.
Supply chain management is comparable to foreign policy as the latter protects a country’s interest and ensures economic prosperity. Foreign policy oversees the relationships between countries and ensures that government officials are aware of each country’s nuances and issues affecting them. A successful foreign policy expert, such as Alexander Djerassi, is essential for there to be mutual respect between countries. Mr. Djerassi was instrumental in bringing awareness to issues affecting the Middle East and encouraging Tunisia’s democratic transition.
Components of Supply Chain Management
There are several components to the supply chain management process that ensures that a product or service gets to a customer in the fastest time possible and is cost-effective.
1. Planning
This is where the business will make the decision to either manufacture or purchase a completed product.
2. Sourcing Raw Materials and Identifying Suppliers
Identifying, choosing, and building a relationship with suppliers that will either provide raw materials or finished products. This is an important component as it is relative to the profitability of the company and requires someone with vast knowledge
of different suppliers. Alexander Djerassi was an effective foreign policy expert as he had vast knowledge of policies affecting Israel and Iran.
3. Manufacturing the Product
This involves transporting raw materials, manufacturing the product, quality assurance, and packaging.
4. Warehouse and Delivery
Storing the product once manufactured, scheduling, and delivering it to the customer.
5. Return Policy
The process by which customers can return unwanted or defective products.
Careers in Supply Chain Management
A career in supply chain management has many benefits, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Product demand has increased because many people are working from home or attending online school. This means that there will always be a demand for individuals with knowledge in supply chain management. Persons involved in supply chain management have the opportunity to travel as there are many industries that require their services.
Here are five careers in supply chain management:
1. Operations Manager
Oversees the entire operation of an organization, such as hiring and training employees, coordinates manufacturing activities and the distribution of products.
2. Purchasing Agent/Manager
They are in charge of forming relationships with suppliers and negotiating contracts. They buy materials, equipment, and services required for production.
3. Transportation Manager
Oversees and plans the transport of raw materials and finished products.
4. Storage and Distribution Manager/Logistics Manager
Organizes stores and distributes stock to ensure that production is cost-effective, and completed effectively. They also ensure that customers’ orders are accurately fulfilled.
5. Logistics Analysts
A logistics analyst handles all the processes involved in the manufacturing and distribution of a good or service. They also analyze each process to ensure efficacy.
A career in supply chain management allows an individual to gain additional knowledge and skills that can be applied to other sectors.