Becoming a Supply Chain Manager
Being a supply chain manager takes a wide range of skills. You have to build relationship with suppliers, sourcing materials, lightly overview the production processes to make certain everything is working fine, develop strategies to create an efficient distribution channel etc. There are so many things you have to get done on a daily basis.
Additionally to mold these processes together into a framework to make your job more manageable is going to take you sometime to pull it off. But despite all the work that comes with being a supply chain manager, it can be a very rewarding job. You normally would get good annual salaries. Most of all you get to even overview some of the most important operations in a company.
As a result of this you can spot problems earlier and work closely with the other managers in the company. If you are interested in being a supply chain manager there a few things you should keep in mind.
Below you can see a list of tips and skills you must learn in order to become a supply chain manager:
Negotiation
When working with suppliers this is probably one of the most important skills you should know. As a lot of real estate mogul have stated negotiating is not just a skill it’s an art. Making deals on a daily basis with suppliers.
Ensuring that you get the best materials at the lowest possible prices will save your organization a lot of money that could be invested into other areas. You can find a lot of courses on the internet that can help you to learn about negotiation. Some free and some you have to buy but the investment are really worth it.
Business management
Learning about business management is really crucial. It will help you to stay organized which is a necessary skill in supply chain management. Furthermore it will help you to plan out and coordinate your different activities and this will assist you in making your operations perform more efficiently.
While at the same time making your job in general easier to manage. Getting even a simple certificate in business management will be enough to teach you the important skills.
Education
To become a great supply chain manager, you have to really invest in yourself. Some notable courses you can take and get a degree in are supply chain management, logistics, transport management and even international transport.
After getting a degree you can further your education by experience in a on the job training program or a graduate training program. Starting off even as a transport clerk or a lower tier job under the supply chain umbrella while at the same time doing a course on the field will give you the right experience needed.
In summary if you follow the tips above. You will be on the right track on becoming a supply chain manager. So you should invest the time and effort that’s needed. If you are passionate about the career you will see how rewarding it can be in the end.