What is a Supply Chain Manager?
Supply Chain Manager Example Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.
List of Supply Chain Manager Job Duties
- Locate or select biodegradable, non-toxic, or other environmentally friendly raw materials for manufacturing processes.
- Design, implement, or oversee product take back or reverse logistics programs to ensure products are recycled, reused, or responsibly disposed.
- Identify or qualify new suppliers in collaboration with other departments, such as procurement, engineering, or quality assurance.
- Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.
- Monitor forecasts and quotas to identify changes and predict effects on supply chain activities.
- Forecast material costs or develop standard cost lists.
Featured schools near , edit
Supply Chain Manager Skills
Supply Chain Managers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Supply Chain Manager Jobs
- Supply Chain Generalist
- Supply Chain Procurement Manager
- Global Supply Chain Vice President
- Supply Chain Design Manager
- Supply Chain Systems Manager
Job Demand for Supply Chain Managers
In the United States, there were 992,100 jobs for Supply Chain Manager in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 79,600 new jobs for Supply Chain Manager by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 79,200 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Supply Chain Manager are Utah, Washington, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Supply Chain Managers Salary
The salary for Supply Chain Managers ranges between about $52,550 and $183,430 a year.

Supply Chain Managers who work in District of Columbia, Virginia, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Supply Chain Managers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $106,680 |
Alaska | $118,650 |
Arizona | $101,630 |
Arkansas | $86,410 |
California | $143,350 |
Colorado | $138,490 |
Connecticut | $129,730 |
Delaware | $134,410 |
District of Columbia | $147,460 |
Florida | $99,240 |
Georgia | $118,060 |
Hawaii | $93,760 |
Idaho | $85,070 |
Illinois | $90,080 |
Indiana | $71,560 |
Iowa | $101,360 |
Kansas | $102,560 |
Kentucky | $92,630 |
Louisiana | $87,080 |
Maine | $96,570 |
Maryland | $122,050 |
Massachusetts | $131,450 |
Michigan | $98,780 |
Minnesota | $128,590 |
Mississippi | $82,230 |
Missouri | $97,820 |
Montana | $76,990 |
Nebraska | $101,380 |
Nevada | $102,060 |
New Hampshire | $123,580 |
New Jersey | $138,820 |
New Mexico | $96,490 |
New York | $124,160 |
North Carolina | $121,500 |
North Dakota | $109,820 |
Ohio | $107,320 |
Oklahoma | $102,710 |
Oregon | $94,400 |
Pennsylvania | $126,290 |
Rhode Island | $114,660 |
South Carolina | $100,890 |
South Dakota | $99,030 |
Tennessee | $83,010 |
Texas | $122,130 |
Utah | $102,290 |
Vermont | $105,950 |
Virginia | $134,500 |
Washington | $125,490 |
West Virginia | $77,290 |
Wisconsin | $85,050 |
Wyoming | $100,310 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Supply Chain Managers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Supply Chain Managers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- MEDITECH software
- Minitab
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Graphics software
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Oracle Hyperion
Becoming a Supply Chain Manager
What kind of Supply Chain Manager requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Supply Chain Manager?

Where do Supply Chain Managers Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Supply Chain Manager may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |