Occupation · SOC 11-3071.04
Supply Chain Managers
Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.
Median wage
$102,010
$61,200–$180,590
Projected growth
+6.0%
Average growth
Annual openings
1,310
per year
Employed (US)
213,000
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,322 mapped
Core skills
Time ManagementSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationActive ListeningWritingSystems EvaluationCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessNegotiationManagement of Material ResourcesActive LearningPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesService OrientationInstructingMathematicsLearning StrategiesManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations AnalysisOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshootingProgrammingScienceRepairingOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
TransportationAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageEconomics and AccountingCustomer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingPersonnel and Human ResourcesMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsSales and MarketingLaw and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingGeographyEngineering and TechnologyPsychologyCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsForeign LanguageAdministrativeMechanicalFood ProductionDesignTherapy and CounselingBuilding and ConstructionSociology and AnthropologyPhysicsChemistryPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyBiologyMedicine and DentistryFine Arts
Technology & tools
Adexa Supply Chain PlanningAdvanced business application programming ABAPAldata Warehouse ManagementCDC Supply ChainDex WarehouseEpicor SRMEpicor WMSGraphics softwareHighJump Software Supply Chain AdvantageHighJump Warehouse AdvantageIBM ILOG Inventory AnalystIBM ILOG LogicNet Plus XEIBS MRPIBS Supply Chain ManagementIFS Applications for Supply Chain ManagementInfor Lawson Supply Chain ManagementInfor SCMInventory management systemsJDA Master PlanningLawson S3 Supply Chain ManagementMEDITECH softwareManhattan ScaleManhattan Supply Chain Process PlatformMaster scheduling softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft Dynamics AXMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordMinitabNetSuite ERPOracle E-Business Suite FinancialsOracle Hyperion
Representative tasks
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsAnalyzing Data or InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesGetting InformationWorking with ComputersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesThinking CreativelyMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeTraining and Teaching OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsDocumenting/Recording InformationSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Equipment and staffing requirements — identify and document under supervisor direction when planning material loading, unloading, or storage operations at a distribution facility.Inventory records and purchase orders — review and update using inventory management software under guidance in a warehouse or procurement environment.Transportation route options — research and compare basic cost data to support route selection decisions within an established supply chain team.Supply chain performance metrics — locate, record, and summarize predefined KPIs such as product cost or on-time delivery in spreadsheet software under direction.Supply chain process documentation — assist in drafting standard operating procedures for new or improved workflows under the supervision of a senior manager.Cross-functional coordination procedures — support development of communication protocols between supply chain and departments such as sales or finance by gathering relevant data.Demand forecasts — compile historical sales and inventory data to assist supply chain planners in creating near-term supply plans using ERP software.Inventory analysis reports — generate standard reports from database query tools to help identify excess stock or shortage risks in a distribution center.Vendor communications — draft routine written correspondence and track follow-up items using office suite and calendar software under managerial oversight.Scheduling and logistics calendars — maintain and update shipment and delivery schedules in calendar and scheduling software to support team coordination activities.
developing
Equipment and staffing levels — determine and recommend appropriate allocations for material movement operations at a mid-sized warehousing or fulfillment facility with reduced oversight.Purchasing and inventory control activities — manage routine procurement cycles, material requirements planning runs, and receiving workflows using MRP and ERP software in a manufacturing or distribution environment.Transportation route optimization — evaluate and select shipment consolidation or warehousing distribution strategies to reduce freight costs across a regional supplier network.Performance metric dashboards — configure and maintain supply chain KPI dashboards tracking product cost, quality, and cycle time using business intelligence and spreadsheet tools.Supply chain process improvements — implement documented process changes to warehouse or procurement workflows and monitor early performance outcomes in a logistics operation.Cross-functional coordination — apply established procedures to align supply chain activities with production scheduling, sales forecasting, and quality assurance teams on routine projects.Supply planning collaboration — confer regularly with demand planners and category managers to refine near-term supply plans and flag material availability risks in a B2B environment.Inventory turn analysis — analyze current inventory data to identify slow-moving stock, recommend reorder point adjustments, and reduce carrying costs in a distribution center.Supplier negotiation support — participate in vendor negotiations for freight and materials contracts, applying knowledge of transportation economics and company cost targets.ERP data integrity — monitor and correct supply chain master data records within enterprise resource planning and inventory management systems to ensure accurate reporting.
proficient
Equipment and staffing optimization — autonomously determine resource requirements and adjust staffing models to meet variable throughput demands across multiple warehouse or logistics sites.End-to-end supply chain management — independently oversee strategic purchasing, inventory control, materials requirements planning, and distribution operations across a complex multi-site supply network.Multi-modal transportation strategy — design and execute route consolidation and carrier mix strategies that maximize cost efficiency and service levels across domestic and international freight lanes.Supply chain performance framework — define, validate, and continuously refine a comprehensive set of metrics covering cost, quality, lead time, and supplier performance for an enterprise supply chain.Process improvement leadership — lead cross-functional teams in diagnosing supply chain inefficiencies, piloting lean or Six Sigma solutions, and scaling successful process changes organization-wide.Integrated functional coordination — develop and govern formal coordination procedures that synchronize supply chain operations with sales, marketing, finance, production, and quality assurance across business units.Demand and supply planning — lead collaborative planning sessions with supply chain planners and commercial stakeholders to build robust supply plans that balance service levels and inventory investment.Advanced inventory optimization — apply statistical analysis and scenario modeling to redesign inventory policies, substantially improving inventory turns and reducing waste across a multi-echelon network.Complex problem resolution — apply systems analysis and deductive reasoning to diagnose and resolve non-routine supply disruptions, such as supplier failures or port delays, with minimal escalation.Technology solution deployment — evaluate, configure, and drive adoption of supply chain software platforms including ERP, MRP, and inventory management tools across functional user groups.
advanced
Supply chain strategy — set the long-range strategic direction for end-to-end supply chain operations, aligning sourcing, logistics, and inventory investment with corporate growth and profitability objectives.Organizational capability building — design and lead supply chain talent development programs, mentoring managers and planners to build enterprise-wide competency in procurement, logistics, and operations.Enterprise performance governance — establish and institutionalize a supply chain performance measurement system that drives accountability, benchmarking, and continuous improvement at the executive leadership level.Network design leadership — direct large-scale supply chain network redesign initiatives, including facility footprint decisions, make-versus-buy analysis, and global sourcing strategy across international markets.Cross-enterprise integration — forge and govern formal collaboration frameworks between supply chain and executive stakeholders in finance, commercial, operations, and technology to ensure aligned business outcomes.Strategic supplier relationships — lead executive-level supplier partnerships and contract negotiations that secure competitive advantage in cost, quality, innovation, and supply continuity at a global scale.Innovation and technology roadmap — define the organization's supply chain technology investment strategy, sponsoring adoption of advanced platforms such as AI-driven demand sensing, ERP modernization, and digital twin modeling.Risk and resilience architecture — develop and institutionalize enterprise supply chain risk management frameworks that ensure business continuity under geopolitical, environmental, or market disruption scenarios.Culture of operational excellence — champion a culture of data-driven decision making, integrity, and achievement orientation across the supply chain organization to drive sustainable performance improvement.Board and executive communication — synthesize complex supply chain performance, risk, and opportunity data into clear, authoritative recommendations for executive leadership, board committees, and external stakeholders.
Also known as
31 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Auto Parts Manager (Automotive Parts Manager)Demand Planning ManagerGlobal Supply Chain DirectorGlobal Supply Chain ManagerInventory Control SupervisorInventory ManagerInventory SupervisorLogistics SupervisorManufacturing Supply Chain ManagerMaterial Requirements Planning ManagerMaterials ManagerMaterials PlannerParts ManagerReplenishment ManagerSolution Design and Analysis ManagerSupply Chain Analytics ManagerSupply Chain Design ManagerSupply Chain Development ManagerSupply Chain DirectorSupply Chain Logistics ManagerSupply Chain Management DirectorSupply Chain ManagerSupply Chain Operations DirectorSupply Chain Operations ManagerSupply Chain Planning ManagerSupply Chain Procurement ManagerSupply Chain Product ManagerSupply Chain Program ManagerSupply Chain Project ManagerSupply Chain Strategy ManagerSupply Chain Systems Manager