Career Pathway: Supply chain management

Haworth College of Business

The top-ranked supply chain management program at 51�� will prepare you for challenging and high-paying careers with leading companies.

An ISM degree means you'll be involved in every step of the process of providing goods and services to consumers, from inception through consumption and redemption. Expect a curriculum that combines the strength of supply chain and information technology, along with skills in team management, communications and problem solving.

Where do I start for a career pathway in supply chain management?

Start by making an appointment with the Zhang Career Center, which can assist you in discovering your career interests and values. The supply chain management industry includes employees who tent to be conventional, enterprising and realistic. They value achievement, working conditions and support according to Find out if your preferences match careers in supply chain management by taking the Focus2 assessment.

What is supply chain management?

What skills are supply chain management employers seeking?

Technical skills are part of the proficiencies that are required for a job and may be developed in your major coursework. ISM-oriented technical skills desired are experience with project management, inventory management, warehousing, production planning, transportation logistics, Microsoft Excel, access and pivot tables, SQL programming language and ERP software.

Interpersonal skills enable you to succeed and are often developed outside of the classroom. ISM-oriented interpersonal skills include multi-disciplinary teamwork, multitasking capabilities, systems thinking and global orientation, influential leadership, technical aptitude and transformational capabilities.

What careers involve these integrated supply management skills?

How can I obtain an internship?

There are many different ways to acquire an internship, online or in person. Visiting the Internship Catalog and the Career Outcomes Report can help you learn about the companies that have previously employed supply chain students.

is 51��’s employment website. All students should set up an account and publish a resume. Resumes made public by the student are searchable by employers.

Students use their Handshake accounts to view internship and full-time job opportunities posted by employers and sign up for on-campus interviews. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center.

Student groups and supporting events at 51�� Haworth

Supply chain student groups include the Supply Chain Management Association. Other groups include Business Association of Mentors, DECA at 51��, Delta Sigma Pi, Leadership and Business Strategy, Phi Chi Theta and Women's Business Network.

Events supporting the major include the following:

SCM Interviewing Workshop
SCM Career Night
Business Career Day

NACE Career Readiness Competencies

The Zhang Career Center at the Haworth College of Business empowers learners to launch successful business careers by engaging them in innovative programming focused on professional readiness, while developing partnerships with global, regional and local leaders who hire students. As pioneers in career readiness programs and experts in customer service, staff members in the career center strive to meet the needs of all students and employers.

Career readiness competencies include:

Career and self-development
Communication
Critical thinking
Equity and inclusion
Leadership
Professionalism
Teamwork
Technology

Visit the to learn more.

Tasks and processes in supply chain management:

Buying and selling, continuous improvement, contract negotiations, cost reduction, customer relations, customer satisfaction and service, data analysis, data mining, database management, decision making, demand planning, distribution management, forecasting, inventory control, lean management, logistics planning, management information systems, materials planning, operations, performance improvements, procurement, production and costs, profit and loss, project management, purchasing, retail, route management, Six sigma certification, strategic management and planning, supply chain optimization, transportation, warehouse management and experience with wholesales.

Forecasting and planning:

Expeditor
Materials planner
Production planner
Master scheduler

Inventory management:

Expeditor
Inventory planner
Inventory manager

Logistics:

Logistics analyst
Logistics coordinator
Logistics manager
Logistics specialist

Operations:

Operations manager
Manufacturing manager
Production manager

Procurement and purchasing:

Buyer
Purchasing manager
Procurement manager
Category manager

Supply chain:

Supply chain analyst
Supply chain coordinator
Supply chain manager

Transport:

Transport coordinator
Transport scheduler and planner
Transport manager

Warehouse and distribution:

Shift manager
Warehouse supervisor or manager
Business development manager
Distribution manager

Business Externship opportunities

The Business Externship Program provides career exploration opportunities that connect students in Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business with mentors, many of whom are 51�� alumni. Current supply chain management externship opportunities include AGCO, John Deere, Navistar, Stryker and many more. Learn more about the program.