What is Supply Chain Management, and should you major in it?
Here is what artificial intelligence had to say about this topic:
Supply chain management is the process of planning, coordinating, and controlling the flow of goods, services, and information from suppliers to customers. It involves a range of activities, including sourcing raw materials and components, manufacturing and assembly, transportation and logistics, and distribution.
Whether or not you should major in supply chain management depends on your interests, skills, and career goals. If you are interested in the process of planning and coordinating the flow of goods and services and you have strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, then a major in supply chain management could be a good fit for you.
A major in supply chain management can prepare you for a career in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, logistics, and consulting. It can also provide a solid foundation for advanced study in business or related fields.
If you are considering a major in supply chain management, it is a good idea to research the career prospects and job requirements in this field and to talk to professionals working in supply chain management to get a sense of the types of roles and responsibilities you can expect. It may also be helpful to participate in internships or other experiential learning opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the field.
This is a good presentation for those wondering if they should major in Supply Chain Management.
Which career is right for you? Supply Chain & Logistics (CAREER ADVICE)
Jobs in Supply Chain
- Supply chain manager: A supply chain manager is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and control of the supply chain. They work with suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to ensure that goods are produced and delivered efficiently and effectively.
- Logistics manager: A logistics manager is responsible for the movement of goods throughout SCM. They oversee transportation, warehousing, and inventory management.
- Procurement manager: A procurement manager is responsible for acquiring the raw materials, components, and other resources needed to produce a product or service. They work with suppliers to negotiate contracts and ensure that goods are delivered on time and within budget.
- Inventory manager: An inventory manager is responsible for the planning, control, and optimization of inventory levels. They work to ensure that the right amount of inventory is available at the right time to meet customer demand.
- Demand planner: A demand planner is responsible for forecasting future demand for products and services. They use data and analytics to develop demand plans that help businesses to meet customer demand while minimizing costs.
- Transportation manager: A transportation manager is responsible for the movement of goods from one location to another. They work with carriers to negotiate rates and ensure that goods are delivered on time and within budget.
- Warehouse manager: A warehouse manager is responsible for the operation of a warehouse. They oversee the receiving, storage, and picking and packing of goods.
- Quality control manager: A quality control manager is responsible for ensuring the quality of goods throughout the supply chain. They work to prevent defects and ensure that products meet customer expectations.
- Risk manager: A risk manager is responsible for identifying and mitigating risks in the supply chain. They work to protect businesses from disruptions, such as natural disasters or supply chain disruptions.
These are just a few of the many different jobs in SCM. The specific jobs available will vary depending on the size and industry of the business.
SCM is a large and complex field, so there are many opportunities for career growth. With experience and education, you can move into more senior roles, such as SCM director or vice president of SCM. You can also specialize in a particular area of SCM, such as logistics, procurement, or inventory management.
Leadership and SCM Quotes
- Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. ~Jack Welch
- “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.” ~Max DePree
- “Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.” ~Peter Drucker
- “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” ~Harry S. Truman
- “The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground.” ~Sir Winston Churchill
- “My own definition of leadership is this: The capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.” ~General Montgomery
- “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
- The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. ~Warren Bennis
- “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” ~Douglas MacArthur
- “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” ~Lao Tzu
Supply Chain Training
- Apple SCM Practices.
- Banana Supply Chain.
- BASF Smart Supply Chain.
- Elon Musk’s and Jack Ma’s Advice for College Grads and Young People.
- Get a Job in SCM.
- Harley Davidson Factory Tour.
- Henry Ford, Model T, and the Assembly Line.
- IKEA Supply Chain Innovation.
- SCM Training & Overview.
- Supply Chain Resources by Topic & Supplier.
- The Role of Transportation in Logistics and Business.
Porter’s 5 Forces That Make Companies Successful
Third Party Logistics (3PL) – Cheat Sheet.
Top 20 Supply Chain Terms to Know – Cheat Sheet.
Top 10 Universities for a Supply Chain MBA.
“No matter what educatoin you may have always keep learning.”
“There is always something to learn.”
“The business schools rewards difficult complex behavior more than simple behavior, but simple behavior is more effective.” ~Warren Buffett