Due to the rising popularity of online purchasing, especially in the wake of the pandemic, supply chain management has emerged as one of the most sought-after professions today. Businesses and eCommerce firms work hard to make the entire online purchasing experience hassle-free for customers. However, despite how simple it may appear on the surface, businesses follow a complex procedure to guarantee that customers receive their products on time. Supply chain management is a general term used to describe this complicated operation.

One of the most sought-after professions nowadays is direct-to-consumer supply (D2C supply), which is a practice used by an increasing number of corporations and small organisations. In Kerala, There are many institutions in Kerala that provide courses in supply chain management and logistics.

Define Supply Chain Management.

Management of the production and distribution of commodities is known as supply chain management. It entails planning, controlling, and carrying out actions to guarantee the efficient production and marketing of a company’s goods. Let’s make it easier to grasp. You use an eCommerce portal to place a product order. An anticipated delivery date is sent to you as soon as your order is confirmed. A couple of days later, you get a thorough delivery schedule that outlines all the processes necessary to deliver your item to you, including when it is being made, when it will be shipped, where it has already been, and when it will be delivered. Logistics or supply chain management refers to the entire procedure. Every stage, from production to shipment to delivery or inventory to sales, is covered by supply chain management. Supply chain management covers each phase, from production to shipment to delivery or inventory to sales, Inventory control, production oversight, purchasing and procurement, quality control, warehousing and storage, transportation, packaging, and quality control are further essential supply chain management operations.

Careers options of Supply Chain Management

A number of modest and specialised tasks that people pursue as a full-time career are included in the very large process of supply chain management.

1. Supply Chain Manager

The specialists who plan and oversee a company’s whole supply chain management strategy are known as supply chain managers. As the name suggests, supply chain managers are professionals that organise and direct a company’s whole supply chain management strategy. A supply chain manager’s primary duty is to make sure that a company’s products are produced and sold efficiently. They keep an eye on each stage of the production process, working with contractors or vendors to get raw materials, updating inventories, and reducing operational hazards.

2. Warehouse Manager

A warehouse manager’s position is more specialised than a supply chain manager’s. Warehouse managers are in charge of overseeing both the safe arrival of raw materials or finished items and their departure. Additionally, they make sure that warehouse employees are safe and secure. Coordination with clients, suppliers, and carriers, managing the receipt and delivery of items from the warehouse, and ensuring the effective and smooth operation of its machinery and equipment are just a few of the main duties of a warehouse manager.

3. Operations Manager

Let’s examine what operations management is and how one may go about doing it. An operations manager’s responsibilities in supply chain management include managing the management of raw materials used in product manufacturing and making important choices affecting workflow. An operations manager’s most important duties are organising and overseeing product manufacturing, sales and distribution, personnel training, and raw material demand forecasting.

4. Purchasing Manager

To make sure that the business buys high-quality raw materials at the greatest prices, purchasing managers of a company negotiate and sign contracts with vendors. A purchasing manager’s duties include analysing inventory and stock supplies, determining product demand and supply, and buying the best raw materials to increase the company’s sales and cut down on wasteful spending. Based on their specialised tasks, purchasing managers at a business might come in a variety of forms, such as wholesale or retail purchasing managers.

A purchasing manager is a senior-level professional in a corporation that oversees multiple purchasing agents, whereas a purchasing agent is a junior-level employment.

5. Logistics Manager

The logistics manager, who is also known as a shipping manager, fleet manager, and distribution centre manager, develops and keeps track of plans for product delivery from warehouses to customers. A logistics manager’s other important duties include controlling inventories, optimising the shipping procedure, hiring and training workers, and guaranteeing customer happiness.

6. Logistics Analyst

A logistics manager’s responsibility is to oversee shipping. A logistic analyst, on the other hand, is more focused on gathering, analysing, and interpreting logistics data to optimise logistical processes, cut costs, and increase customer services. The main duties of a logistics analyst include keeping a database of logistics data up to date, using a logistics system to track the shipment of goods by keeping an eye on shipping vehicles, analysing delivery times and transportation costs, and using other analytical tools to boost shipment processes’ effectiveness.

7. Materials Analyst

An organization’s material analyst determines if it has enough inventory to start new projects or enough resources to fill its inventory. To ensure efficient product manufacturing, they must also distribute materials to various teams. Additionally, a material analyst files requests for material orders and creates a company’s annual budget for raw materials. A materials analyst’s position is comparable to that of a warehouse manager. The difference between the two is that a warehouse manager’s duties also include things like supervising worker training and handling client complaints. A material analyzer solely makes sure that the supply chain’s movement of items is efficient.

8. Strategic Planner

For small, medium-sized, or large enterprises, a strategic planner in supply chain management develops a complete plan on how they may increase the effectiveness of their logistics operations, cut costs, and increase customer satisfaction and retention. A strategic planner identifies weaknesses in an organization’s supply chain management system and makes recommendations to address them.

Conclusion

The supply management industry has boomed due to shifting consumer buying preferences, making the logistics sector one of the top employers in India. Even if the supply chain management industry has a lot of room for expansion, it is preferable to get professional job advice before getting a degree in the field. You can better grasp the supply chain management positions you should apply for by seeking career counselling. You can dial up The Reliant Institution of Logistics, one of the best Logistics Institute in Kochi to know more about Supply Chain Management Courses in Kerala.