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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
Supply chain managers oversee a company's machinery, supplies, and logistics. In India, Supply Chain Manager career involves managing all steps from raw material purchase to timely product delivery, meeting customer demand. Aspiring individuals pursue degrees like BBA and MBA to enter this field. This discussion covers becoming a supply chain manager, their roles, responsibilities, development programs, and career path.
Quick Facts for Supply Chain Manager
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Average Salary in India
₹72500
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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. In this field the gender of an employee is insignificant.
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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. But people who can conduct duties without impacting the quality of the job, he or she can become a supply chain manager even if he or she has a bodily deformity.
Table of Contents for Supply Chain Manager
What is the role of Supply Chain Manager?
The Supply Chain Manager oversees the organization'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.
Order Processing
Individuals who opt for a career as supply chain managers follow some steps such as sales order processing, order handling, order fulfilment, billing, and cash payment. These supply chain optimisation tools are used by the supply chain managers to automate the order management activities. To manage the order related activities, supply chain managers use EDI software and r time to process, by reducing the need to manually produce and submit POs and related technologies to collect order data directly. It eliminates the invoices.
Shipping Updates
Large companies usually have high-volume supply chains of several different forms of product delivered to consumers around the country or around the world. Individuals who opt for a career as a supply chain manager and other stakeholders should take immediate action before tiny problems get even bigger. Moreover, these notifications can be sent to the customers' mobile device at any time, day or night to notify the supply chain status.
Bid and Spend
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. Biding and spending tools also automate the procurement process, reducing errors and spent resources.
Types of a Supply Chain Manager
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. They plan and focus on improving operations so that maximum utilisation and minimum delay is ensured. Production planners evaluate the manpower, materials and manufactured goods which are required to cover the manufacturing demand.
Capacity planners: Capacity planners collect performance data and evaluate a department or unit's productivity in order to assess achievement or difference 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, asset procurement and collaboration with supply chain partners. Capacity planning includes calculating the resources required for storage, computer equipment, software and communication networks over some possible time period.
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. Load planning is the method of consolidating and maximising cargo packaging material into a small vehicle or carriage delivery. The ultimate goal is to move a lot of cargo with the least number of vehicles.
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. Supply chain career needs to meet operational requirements in the warehouse by arranging and assigning workers to monitor organisational performance.
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.
Purchasing manager: The job of a purchasing manager includes buying products or services for a company or an organisation to either use them for functioning or sometimes even for reselling purposes. Individuals who opt for a career as purchasing managers are responsible for several tasks like evaluating suppliers, negotiating contracts, reviewing product quality and checking if they match with the company’s standards, and often supervise purchasing agents and buyers.
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 to allow team members to work efficiently, but also promote the priorities and objectives of an employees’ career. The design specifications for various projects could only be approved by supply chain managers. 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. The core elements of successful supply chain managers are passion and creativity.
Business sense: Supply chain managers should understand how a company develops and accomplishes its goals and priorities. Business skills, however, are not a single attribute but a set of skills that help make a manager or leader as successful as the business. 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: Workplace communication is essential to business because it helps organisations to be competitive and to function effectively. 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?
We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt for who want to establish a career as a supply chain manager.
Internship Availability
Internships are seen as the best way of gaining exposure to the industry in a student's career. 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. Internships would be equivalent to an entry-level job that these students will get after graduation. Careers in supply chain management are rising rapidly. System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) majors are usually responsible for logistics work and the manufacture of a product or service. They can be employed in a wide range of industries.
Supply Chain Manager Jobs and Salaries
Operations manager
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 70000
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 which are around Rs. six lakhs per year but ultimately earn more than Rs. fifteen lakhs at the senior-level.
Logistics manager
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 75000
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. nine lakhs per year. At the early stage, they get more than Rs. three lakhs a year but at the senior-level, they end up getting more than Rs. 10 lakhs.
(Salary Credit: Ambition Box)
What is the job outlook for Supply Chain Manager?
Globalisation has led to ease of outsourcing and a drive to manufacture in many countries over the last two decades. As parts are being produced in almost every country, the costs are getting reduced but there is a rising uncertainty at the same time in this profession. People who actually work in supply chains need to be creative. Individuals in the supply chain management career path need to be able to travel around the world and work long hours. Unfortunately, it is a challenging profession that does not hold the same reputation as other occupations generally does. Knowing logistics and transportation is just not enough for this profession. The profession itself is complex, challenging and an important part of any company. The uncertainty which occurred is partly due to the changing global climate, and partly because of the fewer efforts given by the candidates.
A logistician is one of the first career paths a graduate of a supply chain management programme can follow. This non-managerial position involves the review and supervision of the supply chain. A career in supply chain management in India is rising rapidly. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for logisticians will increase over a decade by seven per cent or 10,300 new jobs. An average growth rate is also seen in the more senior-level role of supply chain managers.
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.Traveling 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. Are supply chain jobs in demand?
Ans.The number of jobs available in the supply chain will increase by 26 per cent between 2010 and 2020. The demand-to-supply ratio between jobs and eligible individuals is currently six to one.
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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