Careers in Operations & Supply Chain Management:

Helping you find the right fit

While there are dozens of unique career paths that can be taken in Operations and Supply Chain Management, jobs can generally be broken down into four different categories.

Day-to-day tasks within these categories will vary depending on company, industry, and level of experience, but high-level concepts will be similar. Each category has its own set of skills needed to excel in it, and certain personality types may find them more enjoyable than others. Because of this, it is a good idea to try out a few areas of Operations and Supply Chain Management early in your career, to find out what is the best fit for you. 


Procurement

The main objective in procurement is to acquire a good or service from a source in a way that provides the greatest benefit to the organization. Procurement activities can include evaluating sources, meeting with vendors, establishing/enforcing contracts, negotiating, purchasing, and providing feedback to suppliers. A successful career in procurement requires good communication and people skills, as well as strong problem-solving abilities.

Typical setting: office or work-from-home

Schedule: Daytime M-F (could differ if suppliers are overseas)

Possible job titles:

    1. Buyer (Entry-level)

    2. Procurement Agent (Entry-level)

    3. Purchasing Agent (Entry-level)

    4. Sourcing Specialist  (Entry-level)

    5. Purchasing Manager (Senior-level)

    6. Category Manager (Senior-level)

    7. Sourcing Manager (Senior-level)

Helpful Certifications: CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), CIPP (Certified International Procurement Professional)

Planning

Planning is all about getting supply as close as possible demand while working around constraints. Planners utilize forecasts and customer orders to determine how many items the company will produce or buy, and when and where they will produce or buy them. Jobs in planning typically involve working with large sets of data and numbers, so analytical and statistical skills are a necessity. Many planners also use technology such as ERP (enterprise resource planning) or MRP (materials requirement planning software), so computer literacy is a good skill to have for this career. 

Typical setting: office (occasionally inside a manufacturing facility) or work-from-home

Schedule: Daytime M-F

Possible job titles:

    1. Supply Planner (Entry-level)

    2. Demand Planner (Entry-level)

    3. Material Planner (Entry-level)

    4. Inventory Planner (Entry-level)

    5. Merchandise Planner (Entry-level)

    6. Master Scheduler (Mid/Senior-level)

    7. Planning Manager (Senior-level)

    8. Materials Manager (Senior-level)

Helpful certifications: CPIM (Certification in Planning and Inventory Management), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)

Operations Management

The goal of Operations Management is to make sure a company’s day-to-day operations run smoothly and efficiently, with all metrics being met.  Oftentimes this means leading a group of dozens to several hundreds of employees, whether it be in a factory, warehouse, distribution center, or other type of facility. Careers in Operations Management can be very rewarding but also very challenging, and the ability to quickly solve problems and lead others effectively is a must. 

Typical job setting: Factory, warehouse, distribution center, shipping yard

Schedule: Anytime - jobs in Operations Management could include nights and weekends

Possible job titles:

    1. Operations Manager (Senior-level)

    2. Warehouse Supervisor (Entry-level)

    3. Production Supervisor (Entry-level)

    4. Production Manager (Senior-level)

    5. Area Manager (Entry-level)

Helpful certifications: Lean Six Sigma, PMP (Project Management Professional)

Logistics

Logistics deals with the transportation, storage, and distribution of materials and finished products. Oftentimes this is handled by a 3PL (third-party logistics) company such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL, but many large companies have their own transportation and warehouses. Jobs in logistics usually involve coordination between manufacturers, carriers, customs agents, and distributors, so good communication and organization skills are a must. Many logistics jobs are also very fast-paced, making them a good career for those who thrive in an exciting environment.

Typical setting: Office, sometimes inside a warehouse

Schedule: Daytime M-F, but could vary if dealing with international logistics

Possible job titles:

    1. Logistics Analyst (Entry-level)

    2. Logistics Coordinator (Entry-level)

    3. Logistics Specialist (Entry-level)

    4. Freight Broker (Entry-level)

    5. Transportation Analyst (Entry-level)

    6. Transportation Manager (Senior-level)

    7. Logistics Manager (Senior-level)

Helpful certifications: CLTD (Certification in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution)