Life As a Supply Chain Manager
Job Description: 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.
What Do Supply Chain Managers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.
- Meet with suppliers to discuss performance metrics, to provide performance feedback, or to discuss production forecasts or changes.
- Identify or qualify new suppliers in collaboration with other departments, such as procurement, engineering, or quality assurance.
- Diagram supply chain models to help facilitate discussions with customers.
- Monitor suppliers' activities to assess performance in meeting quality or delivery requirements.
- Conduct or oversee the conduct of life cycle analyses to determine the environmental impacts of products, processes, or systems.
Featured schools near , edit
Supply Chain Manager Skills
When polled, Supply Chain Managers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Materials Manager
- Material Requirements Planning Manager
- Supply Chain Development Manager
- Supply Chain Program Manager
- Supply Planner
Job Outlook for Supply Chain Managers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 992,100 jobs in the United States for Supply Chain Manager. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 79,600 new jobs for Supply Chain Manager by 2026. The BLS estimates 79,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Supply Chain Manager are Utah, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Supply Chain Manager
The typical yearly salary for Supply Chain Managers is somewhere between $52,550 and $183,430.

Supply Chain Managers who work in District of Columbia, Virginia, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Supply Chain Managers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $106,680 |
Alaska | $118,650 |
Arizona | $101,630 |
Arkansas | $86,410 |
California | $143,350 |
Colorado | $138,490 |
Connecticut | $129,730 |
Delaware | $134,410 |
District of Columbia | $147,460 |
Florida | $99,240 |
Georgia | $118,060 |
Hawaii | $93,760 |
Idaho | $85,070 |
Illinois | $90,080 |
Indiana | $71,560 |
Iowa | $101,360 |
Kansas | $102,560 |
Kentucky | $92,630 |
Louisiana | $87,080 |
Maine | $96,570 |
Maryland | $122,050 |
Massachusetts | $131,450 |
Michigan | $98,780 |
Minnesota | $128,590 |
Mississippi | $82,230 |
Missouri | $97,820 |
Montana | $76,990 |
Nebraska | $101,380 |
Nevada | $102,060 |
New Hampshire | $123,580 |
New Jersey | $138,820 |
New Mexico | $96,490 |
New York | $124,160 |
North Carolina | $121,500 |
North Dakota | $109,820 |
Ohio | $107,320 |
Oklahoma | $102,710 |
Oregon | $94,400 |
Pennsylvania | $126,290 |
Rhode Island | $114,660 |
South Carolina | $100,890 |
South Dakota | $99,030 |
Tennessee | $83,010 |
Texas | $122,130 |
Utah | $102,290 |
Vermont | $105,950 |
Virginia | $134,500 |
Washington | $125,490 |
West Virginia | $77,290 |
Wisconsin | $85,050 |
Wyoming | $100,310 |
What Tools & Technology do Supply Chain Managers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Supply Chain Managers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- MEDITECH software
- Minitab
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Graphics software
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Oracle Hyperion
How to Become a Supply Chain Manager
What education is needed to be a Supply Chain Manager?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Supply Chain Managers Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Supply Chain Manager might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |