Online Supply Chain Management Degree Program

Online Supply Chain Management Programs - What Do You Study?

Supply chain management is the combination of art and science by which companies seek to improve the way they find the raw components needed to make a product or service and then deliver it to customers. It focuses on finding the best and most cost-effective practices at all points along the supply chain so that companies can limit wasteful spending and make the most profit once their goods are sold. Supply chain management begins with making a plan to manage all resources that go towards making a product and then researching, choosing and coordinating with possible providers to supply the raw materials the company needs. It then involves overseeing the manufacturing process, deciding where and how to distribute the goods to market and how the company deals with product returns and support.

Thus, supply chain management is extremely critical to a company's operation, especially as the economy becomes more globalized and new opportunities and resources become available around the globe. Technology has made many advances possible and allowed for a whole new digital age in managing supply chains. As time goes on new software is continuing to come out that helps make this complicated process much more streamlined and easier to manage.

Related Supply Chain Management Degree Programs

Schools that offer supply chain management train their students to be proactive managers of the movement and coordination of goods, services and information from raw material to end user through the value chain. They try to teach students about all parts of the supply chain process and give them the tools and training to effectively manage goods and people along all parts of the value chain. Since technology is so integral to managing supply chains most programs include training in the latest supply chain management software which are becoming more and more important in organizing business activities. Degrees in this field are most often offered at thh Master's and Graduate Certificate levels. In many cases, schools offer an MBA program with a concentration in supply chain management, but it's also offered as its own Master of Science program in some cases.

Those pursuing a degree in supply chain management can expect to take courses such as:

• Strategic Supply Management
• Transportation and Logistics Management
• Negotiation
• Advanced Team Leadership
• Project Management
• Price Productivity Improvement
• Legal Aspects of Managing People, Products and Services
• Electronic Commerce
• Business Logistics Systems
• Production and Operations Management
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• Quality Management

Career Options in Supply Chain Management

As more company executives realize the importance of SCM and as spending on the supply chain continues to grow, Supply Chain Managers will be in high demand over the next several years. A career in SCM involves a variety of excting tasks and is never the same from one day to another. Jobs are available at a wide range of companies including Retailers and Distributors, Manufacturing & Production Companies, Transport Companies, Government Agencies, Consulting Firms and Universities and Educational Institutions. Graduates can also find opportunities in the more and more 3rd Party Logistics companies that are forming in order to help support major companies with their logistical planning.

Some actual career titles within the SCM field include becoming a Consultant, Customer Service Manager, Supply Chain Analyst, International Logistics Manager, Purchasing Manager, Supply Chain Software Manager, Transportation Manager, Warehouse Operations Manager and even VP of Supply Chain Management at the upper end. No matter what actual role a SCM fills he/she has the opportunity to work in a critical role that ultimately acts as the "glue" that holds together different parts of an organization. With a degree in SCM you also have the flexibility to move around into a variety of SCM roles as you forge your own career path.