Supply Chain Managers

Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $56K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $73K
Median Salary: $96K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $126K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $164K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.

Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing, or receiving.

Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.

Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.

Confer with supply chain planners to forecast demand or create supply plans that ensure availability of materials or products.

Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.

Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.

Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.

Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors, or freight forwarders.

Analyze information about supplier performance or procurement program success.

Design or implement supply chains that support business strategies adapted to changing market conditions, new business opportunities, or cost reduction strategies.

Meet with suppliers to discuss performance metrics, to provide performance feedback, or to discuss production forecasts or changes.

Monitor suppliers' activities to assess performance in meeting quality or delivery requirements.

Monitor forecasts and quotas to identify changes and predict effects on supply chain activities.

Design or implement plant warehousing strategies for production materials or finished products.

Identify or qualify new suppliers in collaboration with other departments, such as procurement, engineering, or quality assurance.

Participate in the coordination of engineering changes, product line extensions, or new product launches to ensure orderly and timely transitions in material or production flow.

Design, implement, or oversee product take back or reverse logistics programs to ensure products are recycled, reused, or responsibly disposed.

Develop or implement procedures or systems to evaluate or select suppliers.

Document physical supply chain processes, such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows.

Forecast material costs or develop standard cost lists.

Diagram supply chain models to help facilitate discussions with customers.

Evaluate and select information or other technology solutions to improve tracking and reporting of materials or products distribution, storage, or inventory.

Identify opportunities to reuse or recycle materials to minimize consumption of new materials, minimize waste, or to convert wastes to by-products.

Design or implement supply chains that support environmental policies.

Review or update supply chain practices in accordance with new or changing environmental policies, standards, regulations, or laws.

Locate or select biodegradable, non-toxic, or other environmentally friendly raw materials for manufacturing processes.

Appraise vendor manufacturing capabilities through on-site observations or other measurements.

Conduct or oversee the conduct of life cycle analyses to determine the environmental impacts of products, processes, or systems.

Investigate or review the carbon footprints and environmental performance records of current or potential storage and distribution service providers.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
Minitab
Calendar and scheduling software
Master scheduling software
Data base reporting software
SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
Data base user interface and query software
Structured query language SQL
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP
Financial analysis software
Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
Graphics or photo imaging software
Microsoft Visio
Inventory management software
Oracle Inventory
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Swisslog WarehouseManager
Medical software
MEDITECH software
Object or component oriented development software
Advanced business application programming ABAP
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Procurement software
Purchasing software
Project management software
Microsoft Project
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Laptop computers
Consumer electronics
Radio frequency identification RFID scanners
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Laser facsimile machines
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Transportation
90%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Administration and Management
87%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

English Language
81%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Economics and Accounting
77%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Customer and Personal Service
76%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Production and Processing
75%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Personnel and Human Resources
74%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Mathematics
70%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Computers and Electronics
63%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Sales and Marketing
61%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Coordination
80%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Judgment and Decision Making
80%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring
80%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension
80%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management
80%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Complex Problem Solving
78%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking
78%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Systems Evaluation
78%
Importance

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Information Ordering
78%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Category Flexibility
75%
Importance

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Speech Clarity
75%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Top 10 Work Activities
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
89%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
88%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
88%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Developing and Building Teams
87%
Importance

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Analyzing Data or Information
84%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
83%
Importance

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Getting Information
82%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Interacting With Computers
81%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
81%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coaching and Developing Others
80%
Importance

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Detailed Work Activities

Estimate labor requirements.

Estimate cost or material requirements.

Manage inventories of products or organizational resources.

Implement transportation changes to reduce environmental impact.

Develop organizational goals or objectives.

Develop procedures to evaluate organizational activities.

Manage operations, research, or logistics projects.

Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.

Confer with organizational members to accomplish work activities.

Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities.

Negotiate contracts for transportation, distribution, or logistics services.

Analyze data to assess operational or project effectiveness.

Monitor performance of organizational members or partners.

Implement organizational process or policy changes.

Develop organizational methods or procedures.

Coordinate with external parties to exchange information.

Monitor external affairs or events affecting business operations.

Develop sustainable organizational policies or practices.

Document organizational or operational procedures.

Evaluate quality of materials or products.

Identify opportunities for green initiatives.

Evaluate potential of products, technologies, or resources.

Evaluate environmental impact of operational or development activities.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Major
Public Administration
Air Transportation
Business/Commerce, General
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Interests
Enterprising
100%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
67%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Realistic
39%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social
34%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Investigative
29%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Artistic
24%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Leadership
91%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Attention to Detail
90%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity
90%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Cooperation
88%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Analytical Thinking
87%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Dependability
86%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Initiative
85%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Stress Tolerance
84%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Adaptability/Flexibility
83%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Persistence
82%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values
Independence
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Working Conditions
74%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Support
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Achievement
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Relationships
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.