Jobs in supply chain management

Purchasing agents are responsible for negotiating, purchasing, managing and sometimes packaging goods and services for an organization. They can do this by ordering directly from a manufacturer or distributor, searching online or contacting local businesses to find the best deals on products or services.

Purchasing agents also manage the entire process of buying and warehousing goods. After placing an order, the agent verifies that the order arrives safely at its destination, is correct and accurate, and is stored appropriately. Some responsibilities are essentially universal, regardless of the industry, including:

• Negotiating contracts with vendors
• Keeping records of purchases
• Ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Overseeing inventory management
• Recommending how best to price products

Other work responsibilities will vary depending on the business. For instance, a purchasing agent who works for a healthcare facility will likely have a different workday from one who works at an educational institution or retail establishment. Many of these roles can also be found in manufacturing, transportation and government.

Generally, a bachelor’s degree  is required to become a purchasing agent, along with relevant experience in either procurement or the specific industry of the job.

As with many jobs in supply chain management, the education requirements for a purchasing agent vary based on the work environment. For example, working as a purchasing agent for a large manufacturing company may require a degree in business administration or a related discipline. 

As of May 2023, buyers and purchasing agents earned between $46,460 and $127,520 , with a median wage of $75,650, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Though BLS projects an employment decline of 6%  in this field between 2021 and 2031, it also expects roughly 45,000 new positions to open up each year.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Operations managers  are another of the key jobs in supply chain management. They help companies run efficiently. They’re responsible for organizing and maintaining a business and its internal processes. Operations managers work in many industries, ranging from manufacturing and retail to banking and airlines.

The duties of operations managers depend on their niche. Regardless of the company, a deep understanding of how departments function and interact with each other is needed. Operations managers often have to make decisions that impact the entire company.

Many operations managers hold a bachelor’s degree in business, such as a Bachelor of Science in Business or a Bachelor of Science in Management, although it isn’t always essential.

For aspiring operations managers who do pursue a bachelor’s degree, the ideal curriculum will typically cover finance, marketing, accounting and organizational behavior. Courses may also discuss managerial procedures, such as organizational theory and leadership skills.

It may also be a good idea to take classes in areas outside of business, such as philosophy or the humanities, to develop a broader understanding of how businesses function within society.

As of May 2023, operations managers earned between $46,340 and $232,110 , with a median wage of $101,280, according to BLS.

BLS projects demand for this role to grow 5.8% from 2023 to 2033 . This is about 311,600 openings each year.

A supply chain manager oversees, coordinates and executes the logistics of an organization’s supply chain. Managers in this role must be familiar with an organization’s processes and how they intersect with other businesses.

Supply chain managers must work with many people within their organization to ensure all parties are on the same page regarding priorities and goals. They must also be able to adapt quickly as needs change and challenges arise.

In terms of jobs in supply chain management, the role of supply chain manager has grown in importance in recent years, due both to changes in business operations and increased volatility in the supply chain. For example, companies sometimes outsource labor and production and deal with issues such as transportation disruptions and raw material shortages that can impact supply chains.

According to BLS, supply chain managers are categorized as logisticians, and they typically need a bachelor’s degree  in supply chain, business or a related field to work in supply chain management. An associate degree or industry experience may be sufficient for some roles, and industry certification is helpful as well.

As of May 2023, logisticians earned between $47,990 and $128,550 , with a median wage of $79,400, according to BLS.

BLS projects demand for this role to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032 .

Product managers are responsible for creating, developing and managing a business’s products. They help determine customer needs and identify opportunities for the organization to fulfill those needs with its products and services. They oversee the implementation of a product from start to finish, including its ideation, testing, marketing and sales. They’re often responsible for various teams within their organization that handle different aspects of product development and commercialization.

Product managers can be found in virtually any industry that creates and sells goods and services. This can include physical products sold in stores, intangible goods (such as computer software) and specialized services provided by employees.

As with related careers, product managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in business or a closely related discipline. Those who want to work as a product manager in a particular field, may benefit from getting a related degree. For instance, a degree in IT or software engineering is appropriate to work for a company that develops computer programs or software solutions. In some cases, work experience or certification may provide enough skills and knowledge to obtain interviews without a degree.

BLS provides information specifically for industrial production managers who work in manufacturing settings to produce physical goods, but not for product managers in general. As of May 2023, industrial production managers earned between $72,010 and $190,480 , with a median wage of $$116,970, according to BLS.

BLS projects demand for this roles will grow 2% from 2022 to 2032 . This is about 15,300 openings each year.

Demand planning analysts are responsible for collecting and analyzing data to forecast customer demand for products and services. They use this information to help their companies determine how much of a certain product should be produced, how much it should cost and where to sell it.

Demand analysts work in various industries, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing and technology. Responsibilities vary by industry. For example, a demand analyst for a clothing retailer might need to assess which styles its customers prefer before placing an order with suppliers.

To pursue a career as a demand analyst, you will likely need a degree in business, sales, marketing, economics or a related field. The exact education requirements vary among organizations and industries.

Unfortunately BLS does not provide salary or job outlook information for demand analysts.