Over the past decade or so, supply chain management has emerged as one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States, if not the world. More and more people are graduating college with degrees in supply chain management, but few people outside of those graduates seem to have an understanding of what that kind of career entails.
Defining Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management (or SCM) entails everything in the production process, from beginning to end. It begins with the raw materials being collected and ends once the product has reached the consumer. Professionals in this type of career can be found in manufacturers, retailers and various other organizations, and responsibilities can include planning, purchasing, assembling, distribution and other aspects of the overall production process.
More than anything, the position is about logistics. To be successful in supply chain management, one must be detail-oriented, a great planner and very organized. Good communication and problem-solving skills are also extremely important in the field of supply chain management strategy.
The Importance of Supply Chain Management
As corporate operations become more globalized, the need for efficient supply chain management becomes greater. Due to the fluctuating nature of business, supply chain management is critical to ensuring that companies are reacting and adjusting to changes within the industry.
Providing excellent customer service and improving the bottom line are two essential responsibilities that people don’t often associate with supply chain management. Half the battle is making sure that products are delivered to the right location at the right time in the correct amount in order to meet the demands of consumers. Supply chain managers are also critical to the bottom line, ensuring that all aspects of production are operating efficiently and not decreasing the cash flow.
To learn more about supply chain management strategy, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.
Why Supply Chain Management? by Bossard
