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.

$102,010
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+6% projected 2024–2034
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Supply chain managers orchestrate the complex flow of products from manufacturers to end customers, ensuring goods arrive on time and within budget. They oversee multiple interconnected processes including purchasing raw materials, managing warehouse operations, coordinating transportation logistics, and forecasting inventory needs. On any given day, they might negotiate contracts with shipping companies, analyze delivery data to identify bottlenecks, develop strategies to reduce costs, or troubleshoot disruptions like delayed shipments or inventory shortages. These professionals work closely with vendors, manufacturers, warehouse staff, and sales teams to maintain smooth operations across the entire supply chain.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Northwestern University, IL
$224,402
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$210,400
Business Administration, Management and Operations(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$208,670
Business Administration, Management and Operations(professional)Harvard University, MA
$205,703
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Chicago, IL
$194,606
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Stanford University, CA
$193,776
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Yale University, CT
$192,686
Business/Commerce(masters)Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
$190,333
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Virginia-Main Campus, VA
$189,494
Business/Commerce(masters)Northwestern University, IL
$188,890
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Dartmouth College, NH
$188,502
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)New York University, NY
$184,729
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$182,930
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Cornell University, NY
$179,274
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of California-Los Angeles, CA
$172,128
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Duke University, NC
$171,948
Business/Commerce(masters)Emory University, GA
$166,848
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Carnegie Mellon University, PA
$165,798
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Arkansas, AR
$164,382
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, MI
$160,286
Business/Commerce(masters)University of Virginia-Main Campus, VA
$159,747
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)The University of Texas at Austin, TX
$159,326
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
$156,818
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)Rice University, TX
$150,476
Business Administration, Management and Operations(masters)University of Washington-Bothell Campus, WA
$149,800

Related Careers

Other occupations in Management