Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management extends all movement and storage of materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point-of-origin to point-of-consumption. The management of a network of interconnected businesses involved in the ultimate provision of product and service packages required by end customers. What's good for the consumer is good for the company.
Careers
•Supply Chain Manager
•Buyer
•Production Manager
•Analyst
•Warehouse Supervisor
•Customer Service Manager
•Buyer
•Production Manager
•Analyst
•Warehouse Supervisor
•Customer Service Manager
Mentor Interview
By: Marckus Weaver
Marketplace:
•What are your projections for this type of work or industry? Is it stable, growing, declining?
-Supply Chain Management is a very stable business. This work is growing largely, especially in food.
•What and where are the opportunities?
-Mostly in transportation and supply chain safety.
•What are the typical salaries in this type of job, entry-level to experienced? What are the opportunities for career growth?
-Career growth is wide open as long as you have a good personality and are focused on building relationships. Starting salaries are around 40 to 60 thousand per year. Sometimes they can go over 200K per year but thats only if your really, good. It is a good career path.
•What are the key trends or issues? New developments? Key challenges?
-One of the primary issues with Supply Chain is the safety aspect. Trucking is also a big challenge with supply. It's hard to find, good, consistent and reliable transportation functions.
Entry to Position:
•When and how did you get involved in this work?
-Began my career with Frito Lay after graduating from college with a degree in Industrial Technology. Worked at improving my knowledge of both the manufacturing and supply chain business.
•What was your training and background? Is this typical for people in your position and in similar positions?
-Yes, it is typical to have the degree and some other experience in the field. I have a four year degree and I have worked with four different food companies.
•How important are specific credentials for entry or success?
- The most important characteristic is the ability to understand the importance of building relationships with all levels of an organization, and being able to communicate effectively.
Job Specifics:
•What do you like most about your work?
-Being with the people. No two days are ever the same, and being able to work with people to solve problems daily is a real enjoyment.
•What is a typical day like for you or someone in a similar position?
-Both office time on the computer, as well as being with the employees.
•What talents or skills do you think are the most crucial to success in this work?
-Personable, hard working and good communication skills, both educational and street smarts.
•What doesn't do well in this type of work?
-Negative or lazy behaviors.
•What attitudes or values are important?
-Strong beliefs and values that you hold firm to. These will enable you to build strong relationships with all levels of the organization.
•What do you like least?
-The hours can be long and hard when things are not going as planned.
•How do you advance or get promoted in this type of work?
-Build good solid relationships with all levels of the organization. Work hard and look for ways to improve the progress.
Recommendations:
•What would you recommend I do if I want to go into this type of work?
-Continue to focus on working hard and committing yourself to excellence in all aspects of your life.
•Are there any other jobs similar to yours that you would suggest I also consider?
-Whatever you wish in operations.
•Knowing what you do now, would you approach this career (or job) in the same way? If not, what would you do differently, and why?
-Work hard, stay committed to who you are, and never compromise your beliefs. Yes I would approach my career the same way.
Marketplace:
•What are your projections for this type of work or industry? Is it stable, growing, declining?
-Supply Chain Management is a very stable business. This work is growing largely, especially in food.
•What and where are the opportunities?
-Mostly in transportation and supply chain safety.
•What are the typical salaries in this type of job, entry-level to experienced? What are the opportunities for career growth?
-Career growth is wide open as long as you have a good personality and are focused on building relationships. Starting salaries are around 40 to 60 thousand per year. Sometimes they can go over 200K per year but thats only if your really, good. It is a good career path.
•What are the key trends or issues? New developments? Key challenges?
-One of the primary issues with Supply Chain is the safety aspect. Trucking is also a big challenge with supply. It's hard to find, good, consistent and reliable transportation functions.
Entry to Position:
•When and how did you get involved in this work?
-Began my career with Frito Lay after graduating from college with a degree in Industrial Technology. Worked at improving my knowledge of both the manufacturing and supply chain business.
•What was your training and background? Is this typical for people in your position and in similar positions?
-Yes, it is typical to have the degree and some other experience in the field. I have a four year degree and I have worked with four different food companies.
•How important are specific credentials for entry or success?
- The most important characteristic is the ability to understand the importance of building relationships with all levels of an organization, and being able to communicate effectively.
Job Specifics:
•What do you like most about your work?
-Being with the people. No two days are ever the same, and being able to work with people to solve problems daily is a real enjoyment.
•What is a typical day like for you or someone in a similar position?
-Both office time on the computer, as well as being with the employees.
•What talents or skills do you think are the most crucial to success in this work?
-Personable, hard working and good communication skills, both educational and street smarts.
•What doesn't do well in this type of work?
-Negative or lazy behaviors.
•What attitudes or values are important?
-Strong beliefs and values that you hold firm to. These will enable you to build strong relationships with all levels of the organization.
•What do you like least?
-The hours can be long and hard when things are not going as planned.
•How do you advance or get promoted in this type of work?
-Build good solid relationships with all levels of the organization. Work hard and look for ways to improve the progress.
Recommendations:
•What would you recommend I do if I want to go into this type of work?
-Continue to focus on working hard and committing yourself to excellence in all aspects of your life.
•Are there any other jobs similar to yours that you would suggest I also consider?
-Whatever you wish in operations.
•Knowing what you do now, would you approach this career (or job) in the same way? If not, what would you do differently, and why?
-Work hard, stay committed to who you are, and never compromise your beliefs. Yes I would approach my career the same way.
Key Terms
Lead Time-The amount of time between the initiation of some process and its completion.
Cycle Time-The total elapsed time to complete an operation or set of operations.
JIT-An inventory strategy that strives to improve a business's return on investment by reducing in-process inventory and associated carrying costs.
Lean Production-Lean manufacturing or lean production, which is often known simply as "Lean", is a production practice that considers the expenditure of resources for any goal other than the creation of value for the end customer to be wasteful, and thus a target for elimination.
SPC-(Statistical process control) The application of statistical methods to the monitoring and control of a process to ensure that it operates at its full potential to produce conforming product.
Six Sigma-A statistical concept that represents the amount of variation present relative to customer requirements or specifications.
Logistics-The management of the flow of goods, information and other resources, including energy and people, between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet the requirements of consumers.
Inventory Control-Supervision of the supply and storage and accessibility of items in order to insure an adequate supply without excessive oversupply.
SKU-(Stock Keeping Unit) An alphanumeric identifier used for specific products stocked by a retailer or wholesaler.
Level Loading-An annual charge deducted from an investor's mutual fund assets to pay for distribution and marketing costs for as long as the investor holds the fund.
RFID-(Radio Frequency Identification) The use of an object applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. References http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lead_time
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cycle_time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JIT_%28business%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_production
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_process_control
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/about/quality/framework/glossary.html
Cycle Time-The total elapsed time to complete an operation or set of operations.
JIT-An inventory strategy that strives to improve a business's return on investment by reducing in-process inventory and associated carrying costs.
Lean Production-Lean manufacturing or lean production, which is often known simply as "Lean", is a production practice that considers the expenditure of resources for any goal other than the creation of value for the end customer to be wasteful, and thus a target for elimination.
SPC-(Statistical process control) The application of statistical methods to the monitoring and control of a process to ensure that it operates at its full potential to produce conforming product.
Six Sigma-A statistical concept that represents the amount of variation present relative to customer requirements or specifications.
Logistics-The management of the flow of goods, information and other resources, including energy and people, between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet the requirements of consumers.
Inventory Control-Supervision of the supply and storage and accessibility of items in order to insure an adequate supply without excessive oversupply.
SKU-(Stock Keeping Unit) An alphanumeric identifier used for specific products stocked by a retailer or wholesaler.
Level Loading-An annual charge deducted from an investor's mutual fund assets to pay for distribution and marketing costs for as long as the investor holds the fund.
RFID-(Radio Frequency Identification) The use of an object applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. References http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lead_time
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cycle_time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JIT_%28business%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_production
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_process_control
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/about/quality/framework/glossary.html