From the Fortune 500 manufacturer to the small firm that produces, sells, or distributes products, all companies have a supply chain function that must be effectively managed if they are to be competitive. A supply chain manager is typically involved in making critical decisions about such matters as procurement of supplies and/or services, demand planning and forecasting, inventory policies, order fulfillment, transportation of company’s materials and products, warehouse and distribution operations, location of facilities, managing interfirm relationships, and customer service. As companies become increasingly involved in global markets as both buyers and sellers, supply chain managers play a major role not only in assessing the feasibility of international activity but also in developing supply and distribution networks to support that involvement. Because supply chain managers frequently interact with those involved in other areas of management, many supply chain management students have chosen to complete a second concentration in such areas as marketing, management information systems, finance, or entrepreneurship.
There are many career options for supply chain management students. In addition to finding career opportunities with manufacturers, retailers, and distributors, supply chain management students may find similar opportunities with companies that sell supply chain services; consulting firms; financial institutions; healthcare firms; and government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.
