Supply Chain Technology

What is Supply Chain Technology?

Have you ever considered how the shelves at Best Buy or Target are stocked full with goods for us to purchase?  It's because of Supply Chain Technology.  The supply chain refers to the path that a product takes to get from raw materials (metals, chemicals, plastics, components) through the manufacturing process (welding, injection molding, assembly, packaging) and into the customer’s hands (distribution, shipping, warehousing, inventory control, and merchandising).

Along the way, there are numerous technologies that support this process, from complex tracking software, to programmable manufacturing speeds, to internet-based ordering and payment systems.  For example, some stores have inventory level alerts that send a new order to their warehouse to restock before they run out of a product. But first, someone must define those levels within a larger system that communicates up the chain to the manufacturer, and ultimately, to the raw materials providers. Logistics refers to studying the supply chain and figuring out the fastest, best and least expensive ways to direct the flow of goods to the people who purchase them – the consumers.  Jobs exist all along this "chain" to help the process run smoothly.

Learn More:
What are the types of jobs?
What are the salaries like?
Where can I learn more?
How do I get started?

What Kinds of Jobs Exist in Supply Chain Technology?

Logistics Technicians/Logisticians:  Analyze and coordinate the logistical functions of a business.  Direct the availability and disbursement of materials, supplies, and finished products.

Production Technicians:  Optimize manufacturing outputs by using knowledge of systems and tools to adjust, calibrate, or test equipment.  Monitor processes and equipment to maintain quality and productivity standards set by management.

Production Planners:  Review and follow production schedules by coordinating the work of departments such as manufacturing, staffing, warehousing, and shipping to ensure deadlines are met.  Prepare documentation or reports on progress, costs, and any production problems.

Cost Estimators:  Determine the cost of time, labor, and materials to help management in bidding on or setting the price of a product or service

Logistics Analysts:  Study the delivery of products or the efficiency of processes and make recommendations to management for improvements to cut costs and speed delivery

Purchasing Managers:  Supervise and direct the procurement of materials, products or services.  Represent businesses in finding suppliers and negotiating contracts for materials or services.

Production Managers: Supervise workers in production and operations to ensure that safety procedures are followed, and that quality standards and production goals are met.  Communicate with other departments or supervisors to coordinate activities that impact production, such as purchasing or sales.

Industrial Engineers:  Design, develop, test, and evaluate systems for managing industrial production processes.  Communicate with management and users to develop design standards and production capabilities.  Determine the sequence of steps needed in the production of a product.  Identify changes to improve quality or output levels.

Operations Managers:  Supervise and direct the workers who produce, assemble, wrap, pack, and ship the products of a company.  Review reports of sales activity, production, financial statements and other performance data to identify where improvements are needed, how to use labor most effectively, and how to increase efficiency.  As part of the overall management of a company; Ops Managers coordinate and communicate with other major departments such as marketing, sales, and customer service.

Operations Analysts:  Observe and collect data on labor and material inputs, equipment capabilities, and production outputs, and use this research to create reports and make recommendations to management to increase efficiencies and optimize resources. 

Warehouse Operators: Move, package, wrap, or stack materials for shipment; unpack, move, and store or distribute items received.  Inspect items for defects, label cartons and keep records of items packed or inventoried.

Shipping and Receiving Clerks: maintain records of goods shipped and received by the business; follow set procedures and guidelines; work with data and details.

Source: http://online.onetcenter.org/

What Salary Level is Possible?

Entry Level: Warehouse Operators, Clerks: $22,800 – $36,500 annually
Mid Level: Technicians: $46,700 – $77,800 annually
Advanced Level: Planners, Managers, Engineers: $58,000 – $93,000 annually

Sources:
http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides
http://www.careerinfonet.org

Resources and Articles: Supply Chain Technology

Manufacturing Skills Standards Council – Monthly Newsletter: Southern California Logistics Technical Collaborative (SCLTC) (includes the San Bernardino and Riverside community college districts) received a grant to improve the skills of entry level and existing logistics workers.

Logistics Career Profile: From the California Labor Market Information website.

Logistics Career Profile: From the California Occupational Guides website.

Career OneStop: National website that provides labor market and occupational profiles.  Use “Topics A to Z” Site Search box to search careers in supply chain technology.

Council of Supply Chain Management: Non-profit organization founded to help people understand supply chain management.  Offers a number of resources, including job boards, job descriptions, and student memberships to help students gain industry contacts and exposure.

APICS – The Association for Operations Management: A professional association of operations managers.  Offers special rates for membership to new graduates; also has student memberships.

American Society of Transportation & Logistics, Inc: A professional association that offers student memberships and resources for new graduates seeking jobs in the industry.

Institute for Supply Management's "Supply in Demand": View career information compiled by the Institute regarding jobs in purchasing and supply management

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Prepare yourself for college coursework and jobs in Supply Chain Technology by considering the following high school courses:

  • Mathematics: geometry, algebra
  • Computer Science or Computer Information Systems
  • Applied Sciences: biology, chemistry
  • Business writing
  • Public Speaking or Speech Communication
  • Economics