Supply chain managers are not just responsible for the movement of goods from point A to point B. They are also responsible for overseeing every stage of purchasing raw material, production flow, and the product’s final delivery.
If you’re aspiring to be one, you should know about the tasks you’ll be performing as a supply chain manager. From ensuring the right amount of product is made at the right time and reaches the right place, everything concerned with production will be under your purview.
By pursuing supply chain management courses online, you can understand these intricacies in detail. But till you decide to enrol in one, let’s get you started.
What Does a Supply Chain Manager Do?
Typical tasks performed by supply chain managers include:-
- Ensuring adequate stocks are maintained to meet the demand for products and avoid out-of-stock situations.
- Monitoring, analysing, and forecasting production performance within their company or organisation, taking into account the quality, quantity/volume output, resource availability, etc.
- Controlling the flow of materials, parts, and products to meet production targets.
- Ensuring all the necessary information is collected and reported promptly for supply chain decisions to be made efficiently.
- Coordinating with suppliers as well as customers about product deliveries according to agreements.
Let’s talk about these tasks in detail.
1. A Supply Chain Manager Communicates
A supply chain manager has to work with a range of suppliers for raw materials and components.
It’s also essential that they maintain good relationships with vendors to ensure supply chain continuity and uninterrupted deliveries of goods. Communication is an indispensable part of any role, especially in logistics, where delays could cost businesses millions in lost revenue or increased costs due to shortages. So the supply chain manager has to ensure pepper lines of communication are in place to avoid delayed deliveries to the warehouse or customers. After all, a delay caused by poor communication can have disastrous results.
A supply chain manager will also have to communicate with customers about product delivery arrangements and agree on distributing products where needed. The more information shared, the easier it is for decisions to be made in a timely manner that won’t negatively impact the business’ bottom line or customer satisfaction levels.
2. A Supply Chain Manager Negotiates
Supply chain managers are also required to negotiate the prices and terms, including delivery dates, quality standards, minimum quantity requirements, etc. When they communicate with suppliers, it’s imperative to keep their company’s interests in mind while negotiating – that’ll help ensure that both sides are satisfied with the outcome.
Supply chain management courses online can help you understand and gain practical knowledge on negotiating to curate a win-win situation for all parties involved effectively. Furthermore, these courses can also help you explore the functions of supply chain management along with other facets of the domain.
3. A Supply Chain Manager Plans and Analysis
Planning and analyses are also a supply chain manager’s responsibility. They must monitor production levels, inventory, and storage to ensure that there is enough of the particular product when it needs to be delivered. The last thing they want to happen is for their company or customers to get stuck with an excess of one type of product while not having another in stock.
A credible online course like the IIM Kozhikode supply chain management certification can help you plan your supply chain, which can help you avoid these problems.
4. A Supply Chain Manager Controls the Inventory
They also need to ensure that they’re able to get the right components for production and deliveries. The supply chain manager must know how much inventory is needed at each location, what kind of people are working in different positions, who their suppliers are, and many more aspects within their company or organisation’s operations.
The global supply chain management online course from IIFT can help you gain a well-rounded education in this domain. Ranging from inventory management, procuring raw materials, to negotiating with vendors, this course’s curriculum encompasses every facet of the supply chain.
What Skillset Do You Need to be a Supply Chain Manager?
Knowledge is not the only thing that will help you thrive in this highly competitive and dynamic domain. You need an advanced skillset to help you make sense of all the data coming at you from different sources.
As a supply chain manager, you’ll also be required to be good with people and possess an excellent eye for detail, multitasking skills, leadership abilities, business acumen, and analytical prowess.
Here are skill sets you must possess:-
- Strong planning skills
- A logical and systematic approach to work
- Good time management, the ability to work under pressure, maintain accuracy and keep to deadlines
- The ability to solve problems and make decisions, as well as to think strategically
- Excellent relationship management skills, with collaboration abilities
- Negotiation and influencing skills
- Business management and analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
- Basic skills in Excel and the ability to handle electronic data
- Understanding of risk management in the context of the supply chain
What Do You Need to Become a Supply Chain Manager?
Apart from the above-mentioned skills, you also need expert knowledge in the supply chain, hands-on experience with popular supply chain management tools, along with exposure to the latest themes and trends of the domain. A supply chain management major can help you achieve all of this and more. The IIM Kozhikode supply chain management certification is one such course you can rely on. Boasting of an extensive curriculum, this course can help you holistically learn the supply chain domain.
These supply chain management courses online are designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of supply chains and their nuances, along with hands-on experience through simulations. You’ll also be exposed to emerging trends and themes by virtue of its LIVE & interactive pedagogy.
What’s Next?
Now you know. You know what you’ll be doing; you know how you can do it and from where you can seek expert guidance. So what are you waiting for? Scout the internet for the IIM Kozhikode supply chain management certification and enrol yourself TODAY!
More Information:
Best Jobs in Supply Chain Management
Is supply chain management a good career?
7 Must-Have Skills to Become a Thriving Supply Chain Manager
What are the Career Opportunities in Operations and Supply Chain Management?
