A Career in Supply Chain Management: Everything You Need to Know

What is Supply Chain Management?  

Picture this: you’re at the grocery store, shopping for a carton of eggs. You may not think about it often, but before those eggs appeared on the shelf in front of you, a team of Supply Chain Management Professionals sourced, transported, stored, and distributed them. In fact, every good and service you purchase has a Supply Chain Management team behind it!  

While supply chains vary in complexity (think about Amazon vs. an independent bookseller), they generally follow these steps:

• Planning 
• Sourcing 
• Manufacturing  
• Delivery and Logistics   
• Returning 

Supply Chain Management Professionals ensure that products progress through each stage of the chain efficiently and effectively. This requires a team of skilled workers in roles related to data analytics, logistics, and coordination to manage supply chain flow.   

The Importance of Supply Chain Management Today

In today’s global and digital economy, supply chains have never been so complex! Companies can now reach customers all over the world and tap into expansive supplier and sourcing networks. While globalization can be great for profit and growth, it also means that supply chains are under immense pressure to compete and may also be more vulnerable to disruption. As a result, businesses rely on Supply Chain Management Professionals to help them optimize for efficiency and profitability.  

Additionally, consumer priorities are shifting, with a greater emphasis being placed on ethical and environmentally sustainable business practices. Supply Chain Management Professionals have an important and exciting role to play as businesses evolve to meet these expectations.   

Why Pursue a Career in Supply Chain Management? 

Supply chain management careers offer a rewarding work experience, job stability, and career advancement – without requiring a bachelor’s degree. This field is a great career choice for anyone who enjoys collaborating with others and helping teams improve their efficiency.  

Here are 3 reasons to consider a career in supply chain management: 

1. Growing Demand For Supply Chain Management Professionals  

The Canadian economy relies on supply chains to deliver goods and services to consumers. There will always be a need for Supply Chain Management Professionals – especially as the e-commerce sector continues to grow.  

Businesses are also adopting new automation processes, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, which will create roles for skilled workers who know how to use the latest technology.  

2. Diverse Job Opportunities  

Supply Chain Management Professionals can work in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and transportation. This field also includes both specialist and generalist roles. In other words, individuals pursuing Supply Chain Management may choose a role that focuses on a specific function (ex. a Warehouse Associate) or oversees a segment of the supply chain more broadly (ex. an Operations Coordinator).              

With such a wide variety of roles available, in companies of all sizes and sectors, Supply Chain Management offers many opportunities to find a career that aligns with your personal goals and interests. 

3. Competitive Salaries  

Supply Chain Management base salaries start above minimum wage, with opportunities for greater pay as you advance in your career. 

For example, the entry-level role of Warehouse Associate earns an average salary of $19.80 per hour in Alberta, while minimum wage sits at $15.00 per hour. Logistics Coordinators, who are typically assigned more responsibility, are paid an average of $25.10 an hour, while experienced Traffic Managers, who oversee incoming materials and outgoing products, average $45.90 an hour – or $95,962 a year in the later stages of their career.   

The base salary of any role will fluctuate depending on the company and location. Glassdoor and Indeed are both reliable resources for researching the average compensation in your province for the Supply Chain Management role you’re interested in.  

Skills Needed for a Successful Supply Chain Management Career  

Supply Chain Management Professionals require training specific to operations, business management, and logistics, as well as superior collaboration and interpersonal abilities. 

Here are some of the key skills employers look for in Supply Chain Management job applicants:  

Analytical Skills – Supply Chain Management professionals analyze data to identify inefficiencies and optimize processes. Some roles will also require the use of data to forecast market trends and predict future demand.  

Communication Skills – Managing the flow of information through the supply chain is a key component of Supply Chain Management. Professionals in this field must communicate clearly across departments, often under time constraints.   

Problem-solving Skills – With so many interdependent operations within a supply chain, a seemingly simple problem has the potential to create a ripple effect. In order to keep operations timely and on budget, Supply Chain Management Professionals will need to respond quickly to challenges as they arise and solve them before they can disrupt other departments and processes.  

Technology Skills – From data forecasting software and inventory tracking systems to robotics and AI, technology plays a central role in Supply Chain Management. Successful professionals in this field will need to understand how to use these digital tools and adapt as they evolve.  

Leadership Skills – Many Supply Chain Management roles, such as Warehouse and Logistics Coordinators, involve overseeing workflows to meet project deadlines. Professionals in these positions must be able to motivate and guide teams, manage resources, and make strategic decisions to drive success.  

Earning a Diploma in Supply Chain Management  

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in Supply Chain Management, completing an accelerated diploma program is a good place to start. A formal education in Supply Chain Management will provide you with the technical skills you need to advance in your career.  

Here are three ways a diploma in Supply Chain Management can help you achieve your career goals:  

1. Specialized Knowledge 

Many career paths in the supply chain field require technical skills like data analysis, demand forecasting, and inventory management. A foundation in supply chain fundamentals and social responsibility are also important to many roles. Whether you are new to the field, or advancing from an entry-level role, specialized training will set you apart from other candidates.  

2. Employability And Career Advancement 

While some opportunities may be available for on-the-job training, holding a diploma in  the supply chain field shows employers that you have a comprehensive understanding of the industry – and that your skills were developed through a professional curriculum. This will not only open doors to a wider range of career options, but will qualify you for positions with greater responsibility and higher salaries. Additionally, a career-focused diploma may expose you to exciting new roles that you were not previously aware of! 

3. Networking Opportunities  

Pursuing a diploma in Supply Chain Management allows you to connect with peers and professionals who work in your industry. These connections can help you learn about job opportunities and stay updated on industry trends. 

Career Opportunities after Earning a Diploma in Supply Chain Management

A diploma in Supply Chain Management will equip you with the theoretical knowledge and practical abilities to succeed in a wide variety of positions, with opportunities to advance as you gain experience.  

Here are a few of the roles you should qualify for after graduation: 

Supply Chain Analyst – Supply Chain Analysts collect and analyze data to identify opportunities to improve the supply chain. They use their findings to help businesses optimize processes, reduce costs, and operate more efficiently.  

Logistics Coordinator – Logistics Coordinators work at the production level of the supply chain. They are responsible for creating production schedules and overseeing workflow to meet deadlines.  

Supplier Account Manager – Supplier Account Managers manage the relationship between a supplier, who produces a product or material, and the company who purchases that product or material.  

Warehouse Coordinator – Warehouse Coordinators oversee inventory, ensuring that the movement of product through the warehouse is organized and timely. This involves record management, communication across teams, and manually handling products.  

Transportation Dispatcher – Transportation Dispatchers support the timely delivery of products and materials by coordinating between departments and resolving logistics issues as they arise.  

Is Supply Chain Management Your Next Career Path? 

Supply Chain Management is essential to the economy. Professionals in this field supply the goods and services you purchase every day – which means there will always be a demand for skilled workers. If you’re interested in pursuing a dynamic and rewarding career path in a growing field, Supply Chain Management could be an excellent fit.  

The Supply Chain Management Professional Diploma at Sundance College will qualify you for a wide variety of jobs, including Supply Chain Analyst, Logistics Coordinator, and Transportation Dispatcher, and more. Our program includes a 7-week practicum, where you can apply your skills and knowledge in a workplace setting and gain hands-on experience in the field. Additionally, our knowledgeable Career Services team will provide you with one-on-one resume, interviewing, and job search support – so you can easily transition into your new career.  

To learn how Sundance College can help you reach your Supply Chain Management career goals, schedule an appointment with one of our advisors.