Career in Supply Chain: Setting Your Priorities

Career in Supply Chain: Setting Your Priorities

Have you ever been asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" While the answer might not have been "supply chain manager" at the time, you find yourself on this path now. As you move forward in your career, it’s crucial to consider your priorities.

Defining your desired lifestyle is essential when making career choices in supply chain. You might prioritize:

• Social Status: Climbing the ladder to become a manager, director, or CEO. If social status is your primary goal, focus on working hard to achieve it.

• Money: Financial stability is a legitimate motivation. If you aim for a high salary to improve your financial situation, making strategic career choices can help you advance quickly.

• Passion: Turning your passion into a career is ideal but requires courage and effort. The broad field of supply chain offers various opportunities, from engineering to management and data analysis.

• Freedom: Geographic freedom and flexible hours may be your priority. The rise of freelance work and remote jobs makes this more achievable.

Becoming a Supply Chain Expert: The 7 Pillars

To achieve your career goals in supply chain, you need to focus on seven key pillars:

• Commitment: Dedicate yourself both personally and professionally.

• Education: While diplomas help, diverse experiences are crucial for skill development.

• Efficiency: Be effective in your job and develop a career strategy to avoid mistakes.

• Personal Development: Enhance your personal growth to succeed in the field.

Spending excessive time on social media can be detrimental. Instead, allocate time for training or working on important projects.

1. Schools, Degrees, and Finding Your Path

Is a degree important? While many companies emphasize education, a prestigious school isn’t everything. Focus on gaining practical experience through work-study programs, which can be more valuable than the name of your school.

Avoid excessive debt and the trap of perpetual training without field experience. Practical skills and experience often outweigh academic credentials.

1. Strategic Skills and Know-How

Regardless of your stage in education or career, certain strategic skills are essential for success in supply chain:

• Analytical Skills: Develop logical thinking and good judgment.

• Simplification: Streamline and automate processes for efficiency.

• Inventory Management: A crucial skill, especially in crises.

• Planning and Forecasting: Essential for organization and linked to inventory management.

• Management and Project Management: Develop these skills during your studies.

• Finance and Negotiation: Learn these through practical experiences.

• English Proficiency: Essential for communication in the global market.

• Business Understanding: Know how companies operate and their goals.

• Technical Skills: Master tools like Excel and other software relevant to supply chain.

1. Interpersonal Skills and Attitude

Interpersonal skills, though subtle, are as important as strategic skills. A positive attitude, adaptability, and resourcefulness are key. Seek feedback, be honest, and transparent in your professional interactions.

1. Professional Experiences in Supply Chain

Gaining diverse professional experiences is crucial. Explore all areas of the supply chain to discover your passion and boost your career.

1. Strategic Sectors in Supply Chain

Focus on quality assignments and good leadership when seeking your first job. Target fast-growing sectors like pharmaceuticals or e-commerce for more opportunities and career growth.

1. Typical Supply Chain Career Paths

Supply chain career paths vary, but exploring different roles can help you find your passion. Align your current job with your long-term goals and avoid staying in unsuitable roles for too long.

1. Salaries in Supply Chain

Salaries in supply chain can increase rapidly with the right skills and responsibilities. Learn to negotiate your salary but prioritize quality assignments and opportunities for growth over compensation, especially early in your career.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Create or enhance your LinkedIn profile with these tips:

• Professional Photo: Smile and look enthusiastic.

• Detailed Experience: Highlight your skills, responsibilities, and achievements.

• References: Ask for recommendations from colleagues and managers.

• Quality Messages: Personalize messages to potential employers.

• Your First Supply Chain Job: Making the Right Choice

When choosing your first job, prioritize the quality of the assignment and leadership over salary. Show reliability, listen, and focus on providing solutions to gain trust and responsibility.

Continuous Learning in Supply Chain

Your career in supply chain is a journey of continuous learning. Embrace opportunities to learn from colleagues and assignments, and trust your intuition to guide your career choices. Mistakes are part of the learning process, so keep an open mind and stay committed to growth and improvement.