Job Market for Supply Chain Management
MBAs with a solid understanding of global supply chain issues, strategies, and tactics will increasingly be sought by recruiters from the largest Fortune 500 companies to the smallest start-ups. Increasingly, entrepreneurs are also finding that supply chain management skills are vital for their successful execution of business plans. The value of supply chain management concentration to an MBA's first job is further articulated by former Kenan-Flagler student Jeff Berg, "This career track would attract recruiters from all industries and all the top consulting firms."
For those interested in consulting, the global supply chain management track develops both content expertise as well as analytic skills. Many of the major consulting firms that currently offer client solutions in supply chain management and ERPs are seeking students with the skills to hit the ground running. Recruiters have told students that they are looking at progress towards professional certification in supply chain management skills (such as the APICS CPIM designation) as a prerequisite to recruiting activities. Other recruiters encourage newly hired MBAs to complete certification in either supply chain management or in a specific ERP system. We have witnessed a phenomenal increase in student enrollment in a number of our electives that address supply chain management.
While other leading business schools are offering supply-management concentrations, many of these are limited in scope to such topics as purchasing, inventory control, or logistics. The Kenan-Flagler supply chain track will provide our students a distinctive competitive advantage in that we look at supply chain management holistically, as an integrator of all enterprise processes that deliver value beginning and ending with the customer. MBAs pursuing the Kenan-Flagler global supply chain concentration will have a unique combination of broad business skills and an in-depth familiarity of supply chain that will set them apart from those who specialize in either area alone. In order to ensure that our program is crafted well and meets the needs of businesses and consulting, we seek advice on our curriculum from top executives and directors, as well as current and former Kenan-Flagler MBAs.
After taking the concentration, students will have developed a portfolio of supply chain management competencies and skills:
While other leading business schools are offering supply-management concentrations, many of these are limited in scope to such topics as purchasing, inventory control, or logistics. The Kenan-Flagler supply chain track will provide our students a distinctive competitive advantage in that we look at supply chain management holistically, as an integrator of all enterprise processes that deliver value beginning and ending with the customer. MBAs pursuing the Kenan-Flagler global supply chain concentration will have a unique combination of broad business skills and an in-depth familiarity of supply chain that will set them apart from those who specialize in either area alone. In order to ensure that our program is crafted well and meets the needs of businesses and consulting, we seek advice on our curriculum from top executives and directors, as well as current and former Kenan-Flagler MBAs.
After taking the concentration, students will have developed a portfolio of supply chain management competencies and skills:
- The ability to manage, coordinate and leverage global supply chain assets, including facilities, materials, technology, information, and human capital.
- The ability to manage the process of adoption, implementation and employee training associated with an ERP acquisition.
- Understanding the issues associated with cross-border movements of material, financial instruments, and information will also be a critical competency for the multinational corporate manager.
- Apply supply chain management concepts to service industries (e.g. third-party logistics providers, global logistics services, and materials management services).
- Understanding of how e-commerce can be used to facilitate supply chain management concepts.
- Understanding of the interplay between e-commerce and supply chain management including the supply chain management competencies necessary for a successful e-business.
Global supply chain management is also a supporting area of study for students pursuing careers in marketing or finance. With its emphasis on delivering value to the end customer, global supply chain management is a key success factor in the marketing strategies of many firms. Global supply chain management and marketing are mutually dependent on many of the same issues, thus raising the possibility of integration and collaboration between marketing and supply chain management courses. Recruiter and student demand for supply chain management skills appear to be at a high level now and should become even higher in the future. |