Career Advice for a Supply Chain Manager

Working as a Supply Chain Manager, you will oversee the logistics planning process, identifying issues, and creating strategies to meet the business’s objectives.

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How to Become a Supply Chain Manager

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Supply Chain Manager

Should you wish to work as a Supply Chain Manager you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Supply Chain Manager

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transport Management, or Business Management.
  • Two A Levels.
  • Four GCSEs.

Key Responsibilities for a Supply Chain Manager

  • Building relationships with external companies, distributors, and suppliers.
  • Maintaining accurate records, and creating reports and presentations to deliver to senior management.
  • Overseeing the logistics process, including inventory maintenance, shipping, returns, and new product development.
  • Checking legal documents, import/export agreements, and contracts.
  • Managing the logistics team.
  • Assessing and addressing present and future risks.

What to expect as a Supply Chain Manager

When you become a Supply Chain Manager, you will work in an office, warehouse, distribution centre, or at a client’s business. Successful Supply Chain Managers combine their business management skills with customer service, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.

Recommended Supply Chain Manager Jobs

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How to get Supply Chain Manager Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Supply Chain Manager job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Supply Chain Manager application. If you have not held a Supply Chain Manager position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Supply Chain Manager role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Supply Chain Manager CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Supply Chain Manager application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Supply Chain Manager in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Supply Chain Manager 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Supply Chain Manager and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Supply Chain Manager experience.

How to get Supply Chain Manager Experience

What does it take to be a Supply Chain Manager? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Supply Chain Manager jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Supply Chain Manager through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Supply Chain Manager Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Supply Chain Manager part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Supply Chain Manager or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Supply Chain Manager freelance work

If you have impressive Supply Chain Manager qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.