How should I start my career in supply chain management?

Supply Chain involves a series of activities that make and distribute products and services from the manufacturing plant to the customer. Food, clothes, electronic appliances, and several other products are all accessible via the supply chain.

Let’s look at some of the important things which you should know before starting a career in supply chain management

a) Try to understand the supply chain industry

The definition of supply chain management role varies from company to company. This means that the daily work can differ substantially between employers, depending upon the industry and organization you are working. You need to consider the company size as well as ownership since these factors can have a positive or negative impact on your career. In big organizations, you might have to start working within a segment or functional area of the supply chain that has a lot of resources. While in smaller companies, you may have to play multiple roles that provide extensive exposure to supply chain management, but has limited resources and new business ideas. Before commencing with your supply chain management career, it is vital that you understand its requirements thoroughly, and whether it aligns with your passions and goals.

b) Understand your strengths, passions & talents

You need to understand your strengths and also if you can do the work properly. To know about your strengths and talents, you can take the help of various career assessment tools like aptitude tests, strengths finder, personality tests, and so on. If you can understand the type of work you will be good at, and you like work from home jobs or work in office places then the chances of being successful and satisfied in your first job will increase significantly.

c) Select an area of supply chain management that you find interesting

Career choices within the SCM field are innumerable, that leaves you with so many different roles to choose from. Select an area of the supply chain that interests you and start reading topics related to it. This will help you to determine whether it is something that you want to pursue. Some of the most general career paths that are chosen by people in the supply chain field are:

● Supply Chain Planning and/or Technology

● Operations/Production Management

● Logistics/Distribution Management

● Procurement/Supply Management

d) Stay up to date on the latest news and upcoming trends related to supply chain management

You can stay updated with the latest supply chain business ideas, news, trends, and emergent technologies by reading blogs, enrolling in SCM classes, and engaging in several discussion forums. This will allow you to take important decisions related to your career. You can set Google Alerts for particular keywords, and topics relevant to your career, and Google will notify you when any new content related to your topic is published.

e) Start Networking Early

One of the best ways to learn about the careers related to supply chain management is to connect and network with supply chain professionals. Make your account on LinkedIn and start connecting with people who are working in this field. Try connecting with recruiters, hiring managers, supply chain executives, and HR professionals who have prior experience in supply chain management. Also, it will be extremely beneficial for you to connect with employees who are currently working in industries that you have an interest in.

f) Acquire real-world experiences in SCM via internships

A supply chain internship is tremendously valuable for setting yourself apart from the competition in today’s job market. Look for an internship that is closely related to the kind of job you are most interested in. This can help you in establishing a position that is suitable for you while earning a pertinent real-world experience. Start connecting people who are employed in this field so that you find exclusive internships which are otherwise very hard to get.

Conclusion

Supply chain management is a pretty good field that provides a lot of opportunities for those who are interested in logistics and operations. Follow the above steps to get an idea of how an SCM business operates and take decisions accordingly.