Supply chain manager
Supply chain managers organise the movement of goods and materials from suppliers and manufacturers to customers.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a supply chain manager, you could:
- work with procurement managers and buyers to select products that will sell well
- negotiate and manage contracts with suppliers
- plan how to get goods from suppliers to distribution centres and retailers
- track shipments and stock levels using computer software
- make sure retailers receive their goods on time and in the right condition
- look at ways to improve supply chain networks
- monitor overall performance and meet targets
- prepare forecasts and inventories
- recruit, train and manage a team of supply chain staff
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could progress to senior supply chain management jobs, strategic planning or consultancy work.
You could also specialise, for example in e-commerce.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- business management skills
- leadership skills
- knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
Positions for trainee managers are open to graduates of most subjects though you may find it useful to do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- logistics
- supply chain management
- transport management
- business management
You can find out about industry sponsored degree courses in supply chain management from NOVUS.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You may be able to apply for a Supply Chain Practitioner Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which could lead to an assistant manager position.
You might also be able to do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, such as:
- Supply Chain Leadership Professional
- Express Delivery Manager
- Senior Procurement and Supply Chain Professional
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could start in a junior role, like transport clerk, and work your way up through training and promotion.
You might study for work-based qualifications through The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport or the Institute of Supply Chain Management.
You can find more details about careers and training in the supply chain industry from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.