By Dr. Robert Gordon, CPC | 07/31/2024
Is supply chain management a good career? The short answer is yes.
But in addition to being satisfying, the supply chain management profession has its challenges. Supply chain management professionals need to be flexible; every day will be different. Given the potential issues that can arise across the supply chain, you’ll have the opportunity to tackle new and different challenges regularly.
Factors Behind the Demand for Supply Chain Professionals
Globalization, supply chain management technology, sustainability, the circular economy, and the aging workforce are all factors driving the demand for educated supply chain professionals. Supply chain roles require skilled professionals who can handle international logistics, compliance, and risk management. As long as there are free markets, there will be many different transportation options available for manufacturing.
Efficient supply chain management is crucial as businesses operate to meet fast delivery expectations and manage the high volume of returns associated with online shopping. Supply chain professionals also need to understand how systems such as e-commerce require a knowledge of multiple technologies and system integrations.
Almost every industry has a bevy of supply chain management software, and each system is unique. Supply chain technology vendors were early adopters of artificial intelligence. Companies need supply chain managers who can implement and manage these technologies to improve efficiency and transparency.
Supply chain management courses also teach about sustainability and the circular economy. As long as consumers and regulatory agencies pressure organizations to implement sustainable practices, businesses will need individuals with sustainability know-how.
In fact, regulations have driven companies to adopt greener supply chain practices. Professionals with expertise in sustainable materials and supply chain management can help organizations reduce their environmental impact.
In addition, many supply chain managers are approaching retirement age. This demographic shift contributes to the demand for new professionals to enter the supply chain field.
Overall, the combination of these factors ensures a robust and growing demand for the services of supply chain professionals across various industries.
Supply Chain Management and the Path to a Satisfying Career
Supply chain manager roles include areas such as procurement, logistics, operations management, and supply chain analysis. This diversity of job opportunities allows you to find your niche.
Supply chain managers may work across various departments, gaining a broad perspective on business operations. For instance, I’ve been involved in supply chain roles in hospitality, manufacturing, theme park operations, and passenger/commercial ship construction and operation. These roles spanned several areas of the entire supply chain, such as accounting, operations, human resources, quality assurance, and analytics.
Supply chain management careers provide a lot of experience in critical thinking, risk management, and collaboration. Supply chain management professionals are often expected to perform comparisons, consider different options, and learn how to meet the needs of business operations. All of these skills are important, not only professionally but personally as well.
Managers of supply chain operations will be confronted with new challenges every day. Sometimes it will be a crisis of inventory management, requiring the expediting of products to a location or project site. Other times, it might be struggling with bureaucratic government organizations such as customs agencies. Another day might require dealing with difficult people to get them back on track.
These situations that professionals face in supply chain management jobs helps them to learn creative solutions that might prove helpful in the future when similar situations arise.
Be Sure to Network with Fellow Supply Chain Professionals
Networking in supply chain management involves building professional relationships that can help you stay informed about industry trends, share knowledge, and create supply chain management career opportunities. To do so, supply chain managers should attend conferences, join professional organizations, and continue their education.
Networking with people in an educational setting can be helpful, since you’ll be with others seeking to improve themselves with new skills. Networking also can help you learn more about business activities as well as possible supply chain career paths.
Supply Chain Conferences
Participate in conferences where you can meet industry leaders, learn about industry trends, and interact with others in supply chain businesses. Whenever possible, participate in discussions and follow up with speakers and attendees after sessions as permitted. One of North America's largest supply chain industry conferences is ASCM Connect.
Be visible in your field. As a supply chain manager, learn about different processes and supply chains you can apply to your work. Similarly, learn how to streamline operations and identify trends.
Professional Organizations
Join a professional organization involved with great supply chain professionals at the local and global level. Local chapter meetings are a great way to network with community members. I have been a member of several organizations over the years, and I have been able to network with a variety of people not only in shipping, but in many other fields.
Also, professional organizations can also help supply chain managers learn how to better control their supply chains. For instance, these meetings can provide opportunities to talk with different people such as a chief supply chain officer, a logistics manager, a purchasing manager, an operations manager, or other similar professionals in the industry. Making contacts with others can help move your career forward as you never know when a contact might need someone with your skillset.
Continuing Your Education
Continual learning is essential in the supply chain management field. Through regular education, supply chain leaders can build a robust network in supply chain management, opening doors to new opportunities and enhancing their professional growth. They can also learn techniques to improve organizational processes, increase operational efficiency, and maximize customer satisfaction, which could help their businesses to gain a competitive advantage in their field.
Overall, if you enjoy dynamic environments, problem-solving, and working with diverse teams, seeking a career in supply chain management can be a good choice.
Supply Chain Management Degrees at AMU
For adult learners interested in acquiring the knowledge to pursue supply chain management career opportunities, American Military University (AMU) offers three degrees:
- An online associate degree in supply chain management
- An online bachelor’s degree in supply chain management
- An online master’s degree in supply chain management
Courses in these programs are taught by experienced faculty members with a deep knowledge of the supply chain industry. These courses cover topics such as supply chain management, transportation logistics, warehousing, order processing, capacity planning, and supply chain efficiencies.
In addition, all three programs have received specialty accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs® (ACBSP). This accreditation ensures that the curriculum for these degrees has been held to high academic standards.
For more information about AMU’s supply chain management degrees, visit our program page.
ACBSP is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.