Management 2000 Business subject sub_topic Supply chain management involves the day-to-day operations of company materials and supplies. Supply chain managers oversee contracts with suppliers, predict future needs of the company, and plan inventory contracts. Supply chain management is vital to the logistics of many industries: retail department stores, restaurant and hospitality businesses, etc. With a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, graduates can expect to find entry-level positions; a master's degree will help secure a more managerial and supervisory position in this field. 0 1 1 2170 <p>A supply chain manager, also sometimes known as a purchasing manager, is responsible for the flow of business transactions between a company, a supplier and a customer. While this may sound like an easy job, supply chain managers need great negotiating and business skills as well as an in-depth education in supply chain management in order to perform their duties adequately. Most supply chain managers are hired by local firms to an assistant position before they can be moved up to a supply chain manager. An education and degree is helpful for those seeking employment with a company, however, each firm usually has a different purchasing procedure. Newly hired employees must learn and get comfortable with their new company's practice before being able to manage it.</p> <p>A supply chain manager is responsible for the procedure of fulfilling a customer's order, from start to finish. The manager must systematize purchasing the product from a supplier, storing the product, receiving the customer's order, shipping the product and the fulfillment of the order. The manager must find the most effective, cost efficient and quick way to deliver the goods to the customer. He or she may need to look in to how to buy the product wholesale to cut down on costs or the fastest and most economic way to transport the goods to the customer.</p> <strong>Career and Salary Outlook for Supply Chain Managers</strong> <p>The job outlook for supply chain managers in the coming years is showing little to no growth. Since many companies are implementing software that can manage the budget and suppliers for them, some of the supply chain management jobs are being eliminated. The job outlook for those with a bachelor's and master's degree in the field is much better than those without. The average annual salary for a supply chain manager in 2006 was $81,570.</p> <strong>Required Education for Supply Chain Management Degrees</strong> <p>If a student entering a college or university knows that supply chain management is a career goal, he or she should find a university that offers a supply chain management degree. The bachelor's degree in supply chain management covers the basics of production, budget and purchasing that are important for those looking for an entry level position in the field. Some of the bachelor's degree courses that may be required for completion include integrated logistics management, project planning and control, management for quality and organizational behavior. These courses are the educational building blocks needed for someone in the field to understand the demands and procedures of a supply chain manager. An associate's degree is usually a minimum requirement for consideration in any entry level position in the supply chain management field. However, a bachelor's degree in the field will make finding a job much easier for a recent graduate.</p> <p>A master's degree in supply chain management is also offered at many major universities. While a master's degree may not be required for entrance into an entry level position, it may also be helpful for a job seeker looking to be placed into employment. Not only is a company more willing to hire a master's graduate, but he or she is also more likely to move up in the company to a management position in a faster amount of time than a bachelor's graduate. Since new techniques and calculations are constantly being created in the field of supply chain management, an employee in this field may find that his or her employer will encourage continuing education such as courses or seminars.</p> <strong>Qualities of Successful Supply Chain Managers</strong> <p>In order to become a supply chain manager, a person must be detail oriented and able to multi-task. He or she must also love to research companies, prices and products. A manager must have great negotiating skills and not be afraid to ask for what is needed. Mathematical skills and experience are also needed because a supply chain manager must stay on a budget and report his or her spending to the accounting department of the company. When negotiating with a supplier, he or she must also use formulas and calculations to make sure the company is getting a good deal on the products.</p> <strong>Article References</strong><br><br> Massachusetts Institute of Technology<br> <a href="http://web.mit.edu/mlog/program/curriculum.html" target="_blank">http://web.mit.edu/mlog/program/curriculum.html</a><br><br> U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<br> <a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos023.htm" target="_blank">http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos023.htm</a><br><br> Rockford Consulting Group<br> <a href="http://rockfordconsulting.com/scm.htm" target="_blank">http://rockfordconsulting.com/scm.htm</a><br><br> supply-chain-management Supply Chain Management Supply Chain Management 2005, 2015, 2020, 2030, 2055, 2075, 2085, 2100, 2115, 2120, 2125, 2130, 2145, 2240, 2520 Search Supply Chain Management Schools & Get Info on Supply Chain Management Degree Programs 1 0 0