Supply Chain Management Degree: Important Facts To Know

If you find yourself enjoying logistics and organization, then a supply chain management degree could be for you! Graduates with a supply chain management degree tend to work as managers, logisticians, or even consultants.

The education provides you with a deep knowledge of what you need to know about supply chain management, so let’s take a look at the opportunities that can arise.

Warehouse and supply chain management of inventory / https://unsplash.com/photos/BNBA1h-NgdY 

What is Supply Chain Management?

Organizations that produce goods rely on supply chain management to control the flow of inputs and outputs in a production cycle.

A person who works as a professional in the field can take on many roles and duties within the process. For one, they may purchase raw materials and oversee their transportation to a factory. Or, they could analyze how the production process works to ensure it’s optimized for efficiency.

Moreso, supply chain managers may even work closely with customers to ensure customers receive deliveries in a timely manner.

Supply chain management is an important position because it helps businesses operate smoothly. It plays a major part in reducing costs and increasing profits.

Furthermore, supply chain management is linked closely with how environmentally friendly a business is, as supply chain managers can help to instill sustainable suppliers and processes.

What Can I Do with a Degree in Supply Chain Management?

A degree in supply chain management prepares you with the knowledge and skills you need to enter into a variety of positions in the field. Graduates can apply for positions like: logistician, purchasing agents, distribution managers, operations research managers, and supply chain managers, to name a few.

Depending on the degree you earn, you can hold different level titles. For the most part, the biggest industries that hire those with a degree in supply chain management are:

• The federal government
• Transportation equipment and manufacturing
• General manufacturing
• Aerospace and parts manufacturing
• Professional, scientific, and technical services

Facts About a Supply Chain Management Degree

Here’s some more useful information about supply chain management degrees.

Typical Career Paths and Salaries

Let’s take a deeper look at career paths and average salaries of those who study supply chain management.

• Logistician: With an average annual salary of $74,750, logisticians can be found in almost every type of business. Logisticians analyze an organization’s supply chain and help to coordinate the most efficient flow.
• Distribution manager: Distribution managers plan and coordinate distribution activities and adhere to regulations and laws. They work alongside logistics managers. They average a salary of about $94,560.
• Operations research analyst: By using mathematical and analytical methods to resolve issues, operations research analysts make sure that businesses are properly allocating and utilizing resources. They average a salary of $84,810.
• Inventory manager: Inventory managers oversee buyers and purchasing agents to ensure that a business has what they need in stock at all times to sell and profit. Their average salary is about $69,600.

Degree Requirements

For the most part, a degree in supply chain management will require the completion of 120 credit hours. For some programs, an internship or practicum is also required.

For those seeking a degree, it’s possible to earn it at a traditional campus or through an online program. 

2020 Best Accredited Online Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management Programs

There are plenty of benefits to earning a degree online, including flexibility for when you study and better affordability. These are just a few online universities that offer degrees in supply chain management or related fields:

• University of the People: University of the People is an entirely online and tuition-free institution that offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees in Business Administration.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Attending Southern New Hampshire University online will provide you with the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in Operations Management from their nonprofit and accredited institution.

To choose the program that’s a good fit for you, it’s useful to consider the following:

• Available coursework and degree offerings
• Program cost
• Financial aid opportunities
• Delivery method (online, in-person, or hybrid)

What to Expect in a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management Program

Depending on the program you enroll in, exact course titles will vary. However, these are common course titles in supply chain management programs:

• Transportation and Logistics
• Demand Planning and Fulfillment
• Inventory and Warehouse Management
• Procurement and Sourcing
• Principles of Accounting
• Operations Management
• Statistics for Managers
• Principles of Microeconomics

Laptop and project list for managers / https://unsplash.com/photos/Q2J2qQsoYH8

The Bottom Line

Earning a supply chain management degree offers graduates with a wide array of professional opportunities. You’ll play a vital role in any business or government organization to help run operations efficiently. A supply chain management degree is best for people who enjoy problem-solving, organization, decision-making, and fast-paced environments.