Overview
To ensure that a company’s production and supply is operating as efficiently as possible, where customer satisfaction is as high as it can be and production costs are as low as they can be, supply chain management is adopted. The supply chain is a system of people, activities, resources and information involved in the creation or movement of a product or service from a supplier to a consumer. Supply Chain works closely with logistics and operations in order to account for a smooth process start to finish.
Average Supply Chain Graduate Salary
Supply Chain Graduate Career Path
Supply chain graduate roles tend to be entry level positions, such as a Supply Chain Assistant or Coordinator. However a number of retail and FMCG companies do offer graduate schemes within supply chain. Below is what an outline of what a supply chain role may involve.
Supply chain roles are quite unique in the sense that graduates will experience a great deal of variety within their workload. Common tasks for a graduate entering a company as a Supply Chain Coordinator/Assistant, or in some cases a Supply Chain Manager, may include:
- Updating and managing stock
- Maintaining sufficient stock levels throughout the year
- Producing stock reports
- Liaising and negotiating with suppliers
- Managing shipments from supply to customer delivery
- Shipment documentation
- Processing customer deliveries
As supply chain consists of a wide range of duties, progression opportunities and the versatility of the role tends to be what appeals to graduates. If looking to stay in supply chain, graduates can progress from the initial coordinator role to a supply chain manager role within a couple of years, and look to progress into a senior position later on down the line. However, the versatility of the role allows for a number of potential career paths to materialise. Some notable roles may include:
- Procurement
- Logistics
- Distribution
- Inventory/Demand Planning
- Operations Management
Often companies are flexible and will allow graduates to pick up or merge roles within the company if there is an interest or demand for an area above.
Qualifications and Skills Needed
What proportion of candidates as a percent we place into Supply Chain graduate careers and the typical qualities graduate employers look for.
GRB Placements for Supply Chain by Degree
Typical Candidate Attributes
The entry requirements vary between companies, however in the most case companies which are recruiting a graduate for a supply chain role are quite flexible in regards to degree background. It is desired, of course, that the graduate may have a background within supply chain or though it is not essential. It is, however essential that the graduate has a passion and understanding of supply chain - most companies tend to look for a 2:1 in a 'relevant' degree background - 'relevant' being one where you have obtained skills which will assist you in the day-to-day functionalities of the role. GRB have success with placing students which have studied Supply Chain, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering. Supply Chain roles tend to require a minimum of 300 UCAS points, but again can be flexible if you are able to demonstrate a real passion for the industry or have obtained relevant experience. For a supply chain role you will also need to demonstrate:
- Strong Excel skills;
- Good written and verbal communication skills;
- Excellent presentation skills;
- Strong analytical and data handling skills;
- A high level of attention-to-detail;
- Commercial awareness;
- Good numeracy.
Sources for Further Information
Council of Supply Chain Management Processionals www.cscmp.org