Supply Chain Management

upply chain management programs are designed specifically for companies having large distribution channels. Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a systems approach managing a network of manufacturing, supplier, distribution, assembly and logistics facilities. To put it simply if a company manufacture or makes product from parts purchased from suppliers and the finished product is then distributed among customers then a supply chain is formed. A supply chain can be complex or simple depending upon the size of the business and the company and varies greatly from firm to firm.
Manufacturing companies with large distribution and supply chain networks require supply chain management professionals to manage their network effectively. In India, it has emerged as a new concept especially in the manufacturing enterprise. Last few years have witnessed growth of supply chain companies and supply chain solutions and important Enterprise Resource Planning Companies (ERP) now offer supply chain solutions as part of their service package. 

Scope: Today, with businesses expanding at a rapid pace, it has become almost important to have a foolproof system of supply chain management for better distribution of commodities. Supply chain management is essential not only for internal distribution system as well. Supply Chain Management professionals have become a necessity in production and sales companies. Retail chain operators also employ supply chain professionals.

A typical program in supply chain management teaches the student:

• Major building blocks, functions, and business processes
• Role of Internet Technologies and Electronic Commerce in supply chain operations
• Supply Chain Inventory Management
• Role of stochastic models (Markov chains, queueing networks); optimization models (LP, ILP, MILP, GA, Constraint Programming); and simulation in supply chain planning and decision-making

Skills of a supply management professional:
If you are thinking of building a career in supply management you need to have strong negotiating and excellent communication skills. You should be able to interact with people of various levels of varied backgrounds. You should have good analytical powers and an ability to think strategically.

Sectors offering jobs to graduates of Supply Chain Management

• Manufacturing and distribution sector
• Transportation
• Logistics Companies
• Shipping Corporations
• Aviation
• Multi product Conglomerates

Careers for Supply Chain Management professionals

• Supply Chain Directors
• Supply Chain Network Manager
• Supply Chain Consultant
• Purchasing Manager
• Strategic Planner
• Supplier Relationship Manager
• Inventory Manager
• Supplier Quality Project Manager
• Supplier Management Analyst
• Contract Analyst
• Strategic Sourcing Manager

Institutes offering courses in Supply Chain Management
• Indian Institute of Materials Management
Post Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management – PGDSCM

• Indian Institute of Materials Management, Hyderabad
Post Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management

• Indian Institute of Logistics, Chennai
Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management