Welcome to logistics, a field that is future-proof and offers a high starting salary and job satisfaction. There are many Supply chain job opportunities in the supply chain for professionals with diverse skill sets and interests. A traditional bachelor’s degree does not need to be obtained.
Continue reading to find out about the latest supply chain job openings, learn which roles are most suited to your interests, and discover the skills that may be of greatest benefit as the supply chain, fueled by the COVID-19 epidemic, enters the next phase in its evolution as an industry.
Top Supply Chain Jobs
Table of Contents
There are four main categories of supply chain roles: planning, production, sourcing, and transportation. Each area may have its own focus but a comprehensive understanding of all is necessary to advance a career. A career could span just one or all four pillars.
Plan
Planning roles in the supply chain include analysis, forecasting, optimization, and forecasting. They balance supply and demand and ensure that all supply chain links are well planned. Entry-level roles like logistics resource planner might include inventory control and coordination of human resources as well as the management of warehouse or transport assets.
Some other job titles include:
- Load Planner
- Demand Planner
- Materials Manager
- Materials Analyst
- Supply/Demand Manager
- Production Planning Manager
- Vice President, Inventory/Supply Management
Production
Production roles will require you to focus on creating the product or service. As a contract manufacturer manager, you will be responsible for setting up production schedules, budgets, and timelines. You can also oversee product testing and quality control and include end-user feedback.
You can find Supply chain job opportunities by searching for:
- Production Manager
- Operative Maintenance
- Principal Engineer
- Packaging Engineer
- Safety and Environmental Manager
- Quality Manager
- Vice President Manufacturing Operations
Sourcing
Sourcing professionals are responsible for the inbound supply chain. This is the network of resources required to produce and deliver a product or service. This job can include negotiating the price for raw materials, maintaining relationships with suppliers and building contracts, and making sure that purchased goods arrive at the production site in a timely manner and to the appropriate quality standards.
You may be called a “sourcing job” if you are:
- Buyer,
- Purchasing Agent
- Purchasing Manager
- Inventory Clerk
- Supplier Quality Engineer
- Global Sourcing Manager
- Technical Buyer
- Manager Strategic Procurement
- Director, Supplier Development
Transport
Logistics, transportation, and delivery professionals are concerned with the fulfillment and storage of goods. They could be material handlers (such as warehouse associates or forklift operators) or supply chain analysts (who plan the inventory and how to get it there). They could also be logistic/warehouse managers who negotiate contracts, implement supply chain strategies and ensure safety compliance.
These are some of the opportunities available:
- Warehouse Administrator
- Transport Manager
- Logistics Analyst
- Logistics Manager
- Route Optimization Manager
- Director, Global Warehousing
- Vice President, Distribution or Logistics
Project Management Jobs
Each link in the supply chain has a leadership team that works under the overall supply manager. A project manager is an individual who manages projects outside the scope of daily supply chain processes.
Project managers must coordinate resources and tasks in order to achieve a specified outcome within a given timeframe and budget. Many organizations need supply chain managers to assist them in transforming from a local to a global supply chain. They can also help improve lead times and drive efficiency in supplier sourcing and inventory processes.
Project managers should have the following skills: financial awareness, risk management, financial planning, agile scheduling and planning, meticulous organization, documentation, communication, and financial awareness.
Retail Jobs
What happens to a product once a logistics plan has been implemented? The merchandiser is responsible for that. The merchandiser is responsible for the actual physical tasks of stocking and maintaining displays in accordance with a planogram. However, there is more to this Supply chain job than just putting products on shelves at brick-and-mortar retail stores.
The merchandiser can monitor sales to determine stocking requirements and store layouts. If key products don’t move, the merchandiser must recognize potential spatial opportunities in a store and create effective displays that increase sales. Good merchandisers communicate with workers and managers to identify and address potential merchandising opportunities.
