Supply Chain Managers

What the job really is

Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.

At a glance

• Sector: Management
• O*NET-SOC code: 11-3071
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.
• Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing, or receiving.
• Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.
• Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.
• Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.
• Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.
• Confer with supply chain planners to forecast demand or create supply plans that ensure availability of materials or products.
• Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.
• Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors, or freight forwarders.
• Analyze information about supplier performance or procurement program success.
• Monitor suppliers' activities to assess performance in meeting quality or delivery requirements.
• Design or implement supply chains that support business strategies adapted to changing market conditions, new business opportunities, or cost reduction strategies.

Tools and technology

Inventory management systems, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Word

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Logistics Analysts
• Logisticians
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
• Logistics Engineers
• Purchasing Managers
• Industrial Production Managers
• Industrial Engineers
• Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Supply Chain Managers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.