- Are you aspiring to become the supply chain leader of tomorrow?
- Do you think certificate courses in supply chain management are enough to thrive in this domain?
- What are the skills and competencies you need to acquire?
- How can you get there?
In reality, several elements combine and lead to a thriving career in supply chain management. For instance, certificate courses in supply chain management alone will not suffice. Having skills and no knowledge will also not work. Field experience with minimal knowledge and no skills is also a bad combination.
The ideal pathway leading to a thriving supply chain management career encompasses domain knowledge, market-ready skills, and solid work experience, which cannot be learned through academic channels alone.
You can gain the skills and domain expertise by enrolling for credible certificate courses in supply chain management. However, as far as work experience is concerned, you’ve got to get a job folks!
Till you decide to enrol in a credible online course, here is an exclusive list of skills you must possess.
7 Supply Chain Leaders’ Skills You’ll Really Need
Get Your Foot in the Supply Chain Management Door By Acquiring These Skills
1. Problem Solving Skills
Whether it is related to inventory management, procurement, or distribution, supply chain management challenges can occur in every direction. This is why, as a supply chain management professional, you must have prowess in problem-solving.
Further, you also need to be a mentor for your team, guiding them to do things better, teaching them your problem-solving technique, and covering the common queries they are likely to encounter in the field. Therefore, a structured problem-solving mindset is a must-have skill for supply chain professionals aspiring to thrive in this domain.
2. Networking Skills
Without the capability to building great relationships, networks, and connections, you cannot progress in your career. With everyone aiming to be the best, you need every competitive edge you can get.
Simply put, it doesn’t matter if you are liked or not; you must be the go-to person for everyone in your organisation and outside for expert guidance. The ability to network and build relationships comes into play here. The IIM supply chain management course offered on the Talentedge platform allows for great networking opportunities. By allowing you to interact with the instructor and other professionals attending the session, this course from IIM makes way for great networking opportunities.
3. Communication and People Skills are Key
At the end of it all, if you can’t communicate, you cannot succeed.
If you cannot communicate your message effectively and clearly, your team might end up missing goals or targets. People skills are also key. Developing meaningful business relationships with vendors, stakeholders, and customers will never be supplemented by technology.
So ensure that you are continuously honing your communication and people skills. By increasing interaction and collaboration, certificate courses in supply chain management can help you do just that. IIM is offering one such online course you can rely on. By way of simulations, case studies, and group discussions, the IIM supply chain management course helps you acquire the requisite skill set.
4. The Ability to Dig Deep into Data
What supply chain management professionals are required to do most is analyse data and present that information to the senior management and stakeholders so they can enhance the business processes. Having the ability to dig deep into data and gather critical insights is crucial here.
When suggesting changes or improvements to the company, you must have every suggestion backed up by relevant data. This can significantly enhance the chances of your suggestions being accepted by the stakeholders.
If you are looking for more comprehensive and well-rounded knowledge, you can effectively manage the global supply chain with IIFT. The online course offered on the Talentegde platform in collaboration with IIFT boasts a comprehensive curriculum that is curated and delivered by the eminent faculty of IIFT.
5. The Skill of Flexibility
The impact of events like the pandemic and GST on logistics and supply chain management has transformed the industry in India. So to support and drive innovation, you need to be flexible. Flexibility gives you the ability to let others do innovative thinking, and you can help them feel comfortable, so they know their ideas will be adopted or even considered.
Flexibility is one of the most pivotal skills that have the power to differentiate successful supply chain leaders from those who aren’t. If you aspire to be a thriving supply chain manager, ensure you acquire this skill set.
6. Project Management Skills
Apart from flexibility, there are imperative project management skills you need to have prowess in. Of course, a lot depends on the role and industry you are in. However, if you aspire to move up the professional ladders, you need to have expertise in project management.
The critical skills you need to acquire include:-
- Ability to negotiate for resources, budgets, and schedules
- A high degree of personal organisation
- A proactive approach to risk management
These skills can help you do a better job and understand the principles, challenges, and shortcomings in project management. IIM is offering one such professional online course that can help you acquire these skills. The IIM supply chain management course provides hands-on practical experience in popular project and supply chain management skills.
7. The Ability to Get the Best from People
It is easy to learn the necessary skills and acquire the requisite knowledge. However, developing professional relationships and team building is what’s hard.
So while working on your skill and development, you also need to learn how to get the people around you to work as hard. Simply put, test your ability to motivate and inspire, and you’ll have won half the battle.
Get the Best From Yourself
Lastly, while the need to hone and develop your team seems obvious, you shouldn’t neglect the development of the person who’ll be most impacted by your skills and abilities – yourself.
Identify your areas of improvement and make sure you have a supply chain management major to back your claim of domain knowledge and skills. You can pursue a supply chain management major after graduation from a reputed college or institution. If you are unable to quit your job but aspiring to upskill, consider enrolling for the IIM supply chain management course online.
More Information:
How to become a Supply Chain Manager?
Is supply chain management a good career?
What is the Concept of Supply Chain Management?
