Given the phenomenal opportunities that supply chain and logistics offer for personal and professional growth, it is a career path that we highly recommend to anyone.
According to this post, supply chain and logistics encompass the integrated planning and execution of processes required to optimize the flow of materials, information, and financial capital in the areas that broadly include demand planning, sourcing, production, inventory management and storage, transportation — or logistics — and return for excess or defective products. Both business strategy and specialized software are used in these endeavors to create a competitive advantage.
We will break down the roles and career paths in supply chain and logistics management based on this article by Rob O’Byrne to help you decide which role is suitable for you.
Supply chain planning
- Supply Chain Planner.
It’s typically a management role with the responsibility to analyze supply chain performance and develop strategies for improvement.
- Demand Planner.
The role involves forecasting and estimating future demand for a company’s products, and working with multiple supply chain functions to meet it, while also avoiding over-supply.
- Production Planner.
A production planner would focus on the manufacturing or production processes within the company, working with demand planners to ensure optimal levels of manufacturing output are maintained and aligned with demand.
- Logistics Resource Planner.
A logistics resource planner is responsible for coordinating human resources and warehouse/transportation-fleet assets to fulfill customers’ orders in line with the company’s service promise.
The production environment is also a part of the supply chain as logistics. You may already work in manufacturing or production but have plans for a lateral move into sourcing or logistics. Perfect plan. Possible jobs in manufacturing include:
Manufacturing and production
- Production Operative or Manager
- Maintenance Operative or Manager
- Engineer
- Quality Manager
- Production Planner
- Purchasing Manager
- Production Warehouse Manager
Sourcing and Purchasing
Procurement, sourcing, and purchasing functions are part of the inbound supply chain, which is a great place to gain an understanding of how sales, service, and inventory management, and logistics mesh together in balancing supply with demand.
Jobs involved in this aspect of supply chain management can comprise:
- Strategic Sourcing Manager
- Buyer
- Purchasing and Inventory Clerk
- Procurement Manager/Specialist
- Commodities Manager
- Category Manager
Logistics and Transportation
The management of logistics is perhaps the “face” of supply chain management which deals with the actual movement of materials, goods, and just as important, but rarely mentioned, information. Jobs in logistics can range from manual, such as warehouse operatives to clerical, such as transport administration, supervisory and managerial positions.
These are the jobs in logistics and transportation you may want to consider:
- Logistics Administrator
- Logistics Manager
- Transport Administrator
- Transport Manager
- Reverse Logistics Manager
- Warehouse Administrator
- Inventory Controller
- Warehouse Manager
- Logistics Director
Get yourself prepared for a career in supply chain and logistics management through our Post-Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain and Logistics Management. Study online in 36 weeks without leaving your current job and if you’re a resident of Ontario, you may take advantage of the government funding towards your tuition and basic living allowance. Here’s our free assessment for you to start with!