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Logistics operations and the relationships between the manufacturer, wholesaler and consumer are overseen by a supply chain manager who holds a supply chain degree or masters in supply management. Students attending a supply chain university or completing a supply chain training program learn about operations, purchasing process, the flow of transactions and purchasing and distribution systems.
Skills learned with a supply chain degree program can be applied to a number of industries, and many graduates of a supply chain university or school that offers a supply chain management course program find very rewarding careers in the fields of industrial production, manufacturing, business administration and inventory management among others.
Types of Supply Chain Courses
Supply chain courses and supply chain management classes vary by supply chain university and training school, but the most common courses available include:
Some supply chain management courses can be taken online, and most supply chain training programs do not require any type of hands-on training. Students enrolled in a supply chain management course may have the opportunity to work with computer simulations and learn key concepts on a work site.
Supply Chain Training Programs
The field of supply chain management has become increasingly important since the early 1990's, as more companies are competing in the global marketplace and must streamline their operations to cut costs without compromising on quality.
Supply chain managers are responsible for creating systems that ensure efficiency at all phases of a product's design, production and delivery. Key areas of study within a supply chain training program include:
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Challenges in the field of supply chain management
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Variability
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Organizational silos
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The Bullwhip Effect
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Tradeoffs in supply chain management
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Product design and manufacturing
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Metrics
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B2B integration
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Aligning supply chain strategies
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The Internet and supply chain management
Students interested in a career in supply chain management must be very detail-oriented and have strong research skills. Most supply chain training programs provide training in the areas of negotiation, budgeting, accounting, market research, human resources and statistics.
Getting a Masters in Supply Management
Most employers prefer applicants to hold at least a masters in supply management, although some do offer entry-level jobs to individuals who have a bachelor's supply chain degree. A masters in supply management provides the advanced skills and training in the field of operations, people management and the effects of supply chains in the global economy. Students who wish to enroll in a masters in supply management degree program must hold at least a bachelor's degree in supply chain management or a related field, and have a strong academic record.
Some schools that offer masters in supply management do waive some educational requirements if the individual has some work experience or has received supply chain training elsewhere.
Types of Supply Chain Degree Programs
A general supply chain management course provides students with the fundamentals in areas of finance, marketing, human resources and overall business operations, and may be a part of a general business degree or operations degree program. Students who want to enter the field of supply chain management can choose to take an online or offline supply chain degree program at the bachelors or masters degree level.
Individuals interested in a career as a supply chain manager may choose to complete the following types of supply chain degree programs:
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Bachelor's Supply Chain Degree
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Masters in Supply Management
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Operations Management and Analysis (Bachelor's or Master's)
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Business Administration and Supply Chain Management (Bachelor's or Master's)
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Masters in Supply Management and Logistics
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MBA in Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Career Options with a Supply Chain Degree or Supply Chain Management Degree
Individuals who have successfully completed supply chain management classes and a supply chain management degree program can pursue a number of different job opportunities and career paths. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents is expected to grow as fast as the average through 2018. Supply chain managers fall under the purchasing manager category. As of May 2008, the median annual wages of purchasing managers were $89,160. Salaries and wages vary significantly by location, company or enterprise, and level of education in the field, and years of experience.
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