Supply Chain/Operations Management

Supply chain/operations managers make sure an organization runs smoothly, overseeing the people, processes and technology required for day-to-day business. The responsibilities of operations managers vary, from purchasing to planning the most effective use of company resources. Supply chain specialists focus on the product life cycle, including procuring materials, inventory management, warehousing and delivery. The supply chain often integrates suppliers, manufacturers, retail merchants and consumers, both domestic and international. Studies in supply chain and operations management typically build on business subjects like accounting and budgeting. Logistics courses examine aspects of product distribution, such as handling, packaging, transportation and storage. Supply chain courses may expose you to specialized software that is used to plan and track shipments. You may also consider classes relating to a specific focus, such as retail, engineering or military procurement. Supply chain and operations managers work in many different industries, from finance to industrial engineering and production. Operations managers coordinate broad-ranging business activities, for example, personnel administration, scheduling the use of materials and monitoring project status. Logisticians also work with supply chain planning; they analyze the flow of goods and propose strategies to help a company improve its efficiency.