Where will a supply chain management degree take you?

But what exactly does supply chain management involve? Traditional ideas of supply chain management evoke visions of closely monitoring assembly line production and tracking product delivery routes. However, as digital innovations continue to develop, supply chains are becoming more global and processes are less likely to be contained in one country or local area.

“Supply chains are becoming more fragmented and are extending, which makes managing them become more difficult,” says Dr Byung-Gak Son, Programme Director of University of London’s MSc in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics.

Supply chain looks closely at managing technology in manufacturing, transportation and information systems. As these technologies rapidly develop, the need for professionals with an understanding of how they affect the creation and delivery of products and how to effectively manage them is increasing. In fact, advanced supply chain management skills are so highly sought after by global companies that the industry is currently facing a significant skills gap.

Addressing the need for skilled supply chain managers, the MSc in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics has been developed by leading academics at City's Business School, part of City, University of London. It is the only online degree programme to be accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). Upon completion of the programme graduates have the opportunity to apply for both MCIPS a CMILT designations, which represent a global standard for industry professionals.

So where can a supply chain management degree take you? The possibilities are endless! Effective supply chain management is essential across a number of sectors including fashion, entertainment and agriculture. Some of the most popular supply chain career paths include:

Manufacturing

One of the most important aspects of a supply chain is the manufacturing process. Production managers play a key role in coordinating and managing stages of the production process and ensuring that production schedules stay on track.

Procurement and purchasing

A keen eye for identifying and sourcing the raw materials needed for the production process is an essential skill. Senior level roles such as purchasing or procurement managers oversee purchasing decisions for entire organisations.

Transportation and logistics

Successfully manufacturing a product is only half of the process. Achieving a successful supply chain means that products are delivered to clients efficiently and on time. Some of the key roles in this area include transportation analyst, logistics analyst and transportation manager.

Customer relationship management

Excellent customer service cannot afford to be overlooked in the supply chain model. Jobs in this area can include maintaining client databases, providing support and resolving customer issues, managing supplier-customer relationships and business-to-business marketing.

Data analysis

Understanding and managing data can be vital to a healthy supply chain. As new technologies implement ways of collecting large data sets at various production and distribution stages, effectively analysing and interpreting data can lead to identifying improvements and inefficiencies in processes.

By providing an understanding of international business trends and technological advancements that shape global supply chains, the MSc in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics gives you the expert skills you’ll need to drive your career forward.

Find out more about the MSc in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics.