If you’re looking for a job where you’re rarely bored and really enjoy what you are doing, then a career in supply chain management could be the perfect option for you. The life cycle of a product goes through several phases, from acquisition, to distribution, and allocation to delivery, which all fall under the supply chain umbrella. The list continues and is rapidly evolving thanks to the introduction of new technologies such as blockchain and cloud computing.
Working in supply chain management, your organization will rely on you to forecast where the market is going to end up, make sure that the right people are in the right places, ensure that parts arrive in time, and be quick to think on your feet if they don’t. You will need to be a master of getting the job done and able to prioritize quickly and effectively in order to be successful. In this role, it’s your skills and expertise that will make everybody else’s roles possible – something that can be incredibly rewarding. So, if that’s not enough, we’ve put together some of the main reasons to consider a career in supply chain management.
#1. It’s a Rapidly Growing Industry:
Supply chain opportunities are expanding from both ends, from the global sourcing of goods to distribution, sales and fulfilment. In fact, supply chain career roles are on the rise at twice the rate of all other positions in the U.S, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And this is not just a domestic trend – there are plenty of opportunities for those wishing to work abroad, with shortages of skilled supply chain professionals reported globally in many East Asian countries including China and Hong Kong.
#2. It’s Financially Rewarding:
Supply chain jobs pay well too, according to statistics. In 2017, the median pay was a whopping $74,590, which a Princeton study described as being close to the ‘perfect salary for happiness’. And, the pay grade keeps going up, with more recent figures reported as being closer to $80k a year. And of course, with the industry rapidly growing, there are always going to be opportunities to move up the ladder and earn even more – so if you want a job where you can earn a lot of money, it’s a great fit.
#3. Career Growth Isn’t a Problem:
If a career with barely any room for growth and professional advancement sounds like a nightmare to you, then you’ll be glad to hear that working in supply chain management couldn’t be further from this situation. Due to the highly structured, tiered nature of the industry, there will be plenty of opportunities for ambitious, driven professionals to advance their careers even further. In fact, a report by CNN money stated that there is an average of over 25% career growth over a ten-year period for people working in the industry. And, the trends indicate that there are plenty of options to advance your career as much as you want to.
#4. There are Lots of Options to Choose From:
If you’d like to work in an industry where there’s a diverse range of things to do and specializations to branch off into, then supply chain management doesn’t disappoint. Supply chains have a lot going on, so for professionals entering this industry, there’s an endless amount of choices to be made – and plenty of options to switch to doing something else later down the line if you want to improve your knowledge, skills and experience or simply feel like doing something different. Some of the varied roles that you might want to consider going for in the supply chain industry include:
• Purchasing manager
• Business analyst
• Procurement analyst
• Logistics manager
• Supply chain manager
• Operations research analyst
• Distribution manager
• Director of Operations
• Project manager
• Warehouse operations
• Procurement manager
• Senior consultant
#5. You Can Get in Straight from College:
With the demand for supply chain management professionals growing around the world, we have also seen a rise in college programs offering training for students who want to hit the ground running with a career in supply chain management as soon as they graduate. If you have graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree and aren’t sure what you want to do next, you can enroll on an MS in supply chain management online. Studying online gives you the flexibility that you need to start working in a relevant career and build up valuable experience alongside learning, giving you the means and knowledge that you need to get started with a supply chain career as soon as you’ve achieved your masters. There are also plenty of choices to look into when it comes to getting work experience, whether you’re starting off in an entry level position or going for an internship.
#6. Every Day is a Different Experience:
If you want an exciting and varied career where you are always being presented with the opportunity to learn and experience something new, the supply chain industry is a great fit. Many professionals working in supply chain management say that one of the best things about their job is that no two days are the same, which keeps them on their toes, helps them avoid boredom and gives them plenty of chances to pick up new knowledge and skills on a regular basis.
#7. Gain Wide Exposure to Different Facets of the Business World:
Anyone who has a keen interest in business and wants to learn more about how organizations operate as a whole will enjoy a career in supply chain management. The role presents you with numerous opportunities to learn about how the company operates as a whole and the role itself provides you with several ways in which you can make a direct impact on the success of the business through planning, sourcing, logistics and more. It exposes you to many different sides of the business that you would not normally be able to see, giving you a much-needed, unique perspective of business operations - something that many professionals agree is extremely valuable in the industry.
Would you like a career in supply chain management? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
