What You'll Do

  • Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.
  • Diagram supply chain models to help facilitate discussions with customers.
  • Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors, or freight forwarders.
  • Meet with suppliers to discuss performance metrics, to provide performance feedback, or to discuss production forecasts or changes.
  • Document physical supply chain processes, such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows.
  • Develop or implement procedures or systems to evaluate or select suppliers.
  • Design or implement plant warehousing strategies for production materials or finished products.
  • 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.
  • Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Speaking 4.0/5
Monitoring 4.0/5
Coordination 4.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 4.0/5
Time Management 4.0/5
Writing 3.88/5
Critical Thinking 3.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.88/5
Systems Evaluation 3.88/5
Active Learning 3.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.

Common styles

Leadership, Attention to Detail, Integrity, Cooperation, Analytical Thinking

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Adexa Supply Chain Planning Advanced business application programming ABAP Aldata Warehouse Management CDC Supply Chain Dex Warehouse Epicor SRM Epicor WMS Graphics software HighJump Software Supply Chain Advantage HighJump Warehouse Advantage i2 Collaborative Supply Execution i2 Intelligence i2 Supply Chain Visibility IBM ILOG Inventory Analyst IBM ILOG LogicNet Plus XE IBS MRP IBS Supply Chain Management IFS Applications for Supply Chain Management Infor Lawson Supply Chain Management Infor SCM

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Leadership (High importance: 4.52/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.48/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.48/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.38/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.33/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Auto Parts Manager (Automotive Parts Manager) Demand Planning Manager Global Supply Chain Director Global Supply Chain Manager Inventory Control Supervisor Inventory Manager Logistics Supervisor Manufacturing Supply Chain Manager Material Requirements Planning Manager Materials Manager Materials Planner Parts Manager Replenishment Manager Solution Design and Analysis Manager Supply Chain Analytics Manager Supply Chain Design Manager Supply Chain Development Manager Supply Chain Director Supply Chain Logistics Manager Supply Chain Management Director Supply Chain Manager Supply Chain Operations Director Supply Chain Operations Manager Supply Chain Planning Manager Supply Chain Procurement Manager Supply Chain Product Manager Supply Chain Program Manager Supply Chain Project Manager Supply Chain Strategy Manager Supply Chain Systems Manager