Sunday 13 March 2011

Supply Chain Management Careers

What Qualifications Do I Need?

What's Supply Chain Management?
The supply chain is the process by which products or services go from raw material stage through manufacturing and are then distributed to the customer. Because there are so many different stages involved, the term can cover a huge range of different jobs and activities, from sourcing, purchasing, transportation, distribution and stock control.

Why is SCM so important?
Supply chain is increasingly becoming an important focus for many businesses. With high levels of competition, profit margins are squeezed, so improving efficiency can deliver considerable savings and help to improve profits and increase competitiveness as well as delivering benefits for customer service and the environment.
What types of careers are there?
There are a huge range of different career options within SCM at all levels. Supply chain professionals can be in huge demand across a wide range of industries and sectors.
Some example career areas are:
  • Operations Management/Production Planning
  • Purchasing/Buying/Sourcing
  • Transportation/Logistics
  • Warehousing/Inventory
Jobs are available in many different sectors, including:
  • Retail
  • Manufacturing
  • Oil and Gas
  • Healthcare
  • Defence
  • Engineering
  • Construction
  • Public Sector
How do I get into Supply Chain Management?
As interest in this area of business grows, competition amongst applicants rise and employers are increasingly looking for relevant qualifications as well as experience.
Professional qualifications are a great way to enhance your career prospects, whether you're looking for your first role or looking to move into a more senior position. Professional institutes such as CIPS, CILT, IoE and IOM are well-respected and recognised by employers worldwide.
Which Course is Best for Me?
As this is such a wide area, there are a range of courses catering for different specialist areas.
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) offer flexible courses which can be tailored to suit students from a range of logistics backgrounds, including logistics, freight, passenger transport, warehousing, distribution and procurement.
TheInstitute of Export (IoE) specialise in International Trade, and offer courses in import/export, customs procedures and international freight.
The Institute of Operations Management (IOM) deliver production planning and operations courses tailored towards those working in manufacturing environments.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) specialise in purchasing, procurement and buying courses, which are the standard for professional purchasers at all levels.
All of the above courses are available from introductory through to senior level, so whatever stage your career is at there's a course suitable for you.
Professional qualifications are a great way to start out in a career in supply chain management or move your existing career forward - professional certification will mark you out as an experienced supply chain professional, giving your CV the boost it needs to take your career to the next level.

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