Supply Chain Managers

Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.

Also called: Global Supply Chain Director, Material Requirements Planning Manager, Solution Design and Analysis Manager, Supply Chain Director, Supply Chain Manager, Auto Parts Manager (Automotive Parts Manager), Demand Planning Manager, Global Supply Chain Manager, Inventory Control Supervisor, Inventory Manager, Inventory Supervisor, Logistics Supervisor, Manufacturing Supply Chain Manager, Materials Manager, Materials Planner, Parts Manager, Replenishment Manager, Supply Chain Analytics Manager, Supply Chain Design Manager, Supply Chain Development Manager, Supply Chain Logistics Manager, Supply Chain Management Director, Supply Chain Operations Director, Supply Chain Operations Manager, Supply Chain Planning Manager, Supply Chain Procurement Manager, Supply Chain Product Manager, Supply Chain Program Manager, Supply Chain Project Manager, Supply Chain Strategy Manager, Supply Chain Systems Manager

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.
Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing, or receiving.
Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.
Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.
Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.
Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.
Confer with supply chain planners to forecast demand or create supply plans that ensure availability of materials or products.
Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.
Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors, or freight forwarders.
Analyze information about supplier performance or procurement program success.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Monitoring
Coordination
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Writing
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Systems Evaluation
Active Learning

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (66.67% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

82,440–146,770 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 11-3071.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Suggested development: build experience in safety leadership, staff development, budgeting, and continuous improvement before seeking responsibility for a larger department or plant.
Possible next steps include broader operations or multi-site leadership; vacancies, qualifications, and advancement are employer-specific, not guaranteed.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (66.67% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Supply Chain Managers