InTrans / Oct 11, 2012
Supply chain analyst
Go! Magazine
posted on October 11, 2012
Description
Supply Chain Analysts (SCAs) help improve the sourcing, manufacturing, and transportation processes in a company. They typically work for companies that engage in the manufacturing, buying, selling, and/or shipping of goods. SCAs are responsible for a number of tasks that ensure distributors and customers receive their orders accurately and on time. Generally, SCAs either work as internal analysts or consultants whose job is to observe operations and report their findings and offer recommendations for improvement. They may also be responsible for overseeing the implementation of any recommended changes. SCAs can also work as managers who are responsible for controlling, ordering, and organizing the inventory and making sure the goods get distributed to the right place at the right time efficiently. A SCA is responsible for:
- Analyzing and reviewing cost, productivity, orders and sales data
- Writing reports on performance
- Maintaining organization of items in a warehouse
- Checking inventory, arranging transport vehicle schedules, ensuring the orders are prepared, and confirming that orders arrive
- Following up on deliver problems
- Analyzing logistics
Education
SCAs require a BA or a MA in Business Administration; this is more common among SCAs who serve as consultants. However, in most companies several years of practical experience are just as valuable.
Career opportunities
The average starting salary for SCAs is approximately $45,000, depending upon education and experience. SCAs can go on to be, among other career paths:
- Logistics Engineer
- Transportation Analyst
- Strategic Sourcing Managers
- Managers of SC Analysis
- Inventory and/or Warehouse Managers
- Operations Managers
According to the November 5, 2012 issue of Transportation Topics, staff writer Daniel P Bearth interviewed the executive director Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics, Page Siplon. Siplon and the GCIL conducted a study revealing a great need for people to fill jobs at every level of the supply chain.
As Siplon stated, “The logistics industry is expected to create 270,200 job openings per year to keep up with demand…The nation’s 7,642 education institutions currently generate 75,277 formally trained, degreed, or certified workers each year.”
Links to schools with these programs
Business Administration is a program of study offered by most major universities. Some colleges also offer an associate degree in business administration. A few of the most noted programs are at:
- Iowa State University
- Michigan State University
- Arizona State University
- University of Maryland
- Rutgers University
- Penn State
- MIT
By Alex Werner, Go! Staff Writer