Supply chain manager Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Supply chain manager

Hours

30-40 per week
Starting salary

£18,000 + per year

As a supply chain manager you would plan and organise the transfer of goods and materials from manufacturers and suppliers through to customers. You could also be known as a logistics or distribution manager. If you are good at organising and managing people, and would like a job in logistics, this could be for you.

In this job you would need to be a good problem solver. You would need good number and communication skills. You would also need good geographical knowledge of the area you work in.

The most common route into supply chain management is to take a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or a degree in a subject like logistics or supply chain management. Alternatively, you could start out as a transport clerk and work your way up.

The work

As a supply chain manager you could manage distribution operations in a variety of organisations, for example a major retailer. Alternatively, you might work for a logistics contractor that specialises in shipping goods on behalf of other companies.

Your responsibilities would include:

planning delivery timetables
monitoring stock levels using computer databases
tracking the movement of goods through depots
overseeing the ordering and packaging process ready for dispatch
looking at ways to improve supply networks
overseeing the arrival of shipments
managing clerical, administrative and warehouse distribution staff
monitoring performance and making sure targets are met
dealing with staff recruitment and training.

You would work closely with purchasing officers, warehouse staff and transport clerks to make sure goods and materials arrive at the depot as scheduled, are in good order, stored correctly and dispatched to customers on time.

Hours

You would usually work between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. You may work evenings and weekends on a rota basis, or be available on-call to deal with emergencies. Some companies run 24-hour operations involving shift work.

You would normally be office-based in a distribution warehouse or depot.

Income

Starting salaries for graduates can be from £18,000 to £22,000 a year. Experienced managers can earn between £25,000 and £40,000. Senior supply chain managers can earn up to £60,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

The most common route into supply chain management is to take a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or a degree in:

logistics
international transport
supply chain management
transport management
geography.

To search for courses, see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website. You should check with course providers for their exact entry requirements.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

Another option would be to start with a company in a related job, for example as a transport clerk, and work your way up through to supervisory and management levels.

See the Skills for Logistics website for more information about careers in this industry.

Skills for Logistics

Training and development

With a degree, you may be able to start training with a larger employer on a graduate training scheme. These are structured programmes lasting from a few months to two years. During this time, you would have placements in several company departments, gradually taking on more responsibility.

Alternatively, you could take on-the-job training awards, which include:

postgraduate degrees – transport planning, supply chain management and logistics
qualifications in Logistics Operations at Level 3 and Integrated Logistics Support Management Level 4.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) also offers certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses in Logistics and Transport. They also have a continuing professional development (CPD) scheme for their members. See the CILT UK website for details.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK)

Skills and knowledge

To be a supply chain manager you should have:

good planning and organisational skills
the ability to motivate and lead a team
good spoken and written communication skills
good problem-solving and maths skills
attention to detail
confidence in using computer packages such as spreadsheets and databases
the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
good geographical knowledge.

If your employer has overseas operations, it may be useful to have foreign language skills.

More information

Skills for Logistics (Opens new window)
12 Warren Yard
Warren Farm Office Village
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NW
Tel: 01908 313360
www.skillsforlogistics.org

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK (CILT UK) (Opens new window)
Logistics and Transport Centre
Earlstrees Court
Earlstrees Road
Corby
Northants
NN17 4AX
Tel: 01536 740104
www.ciltuk.org.uk

Opportunities

According to Skills for Logistics, long-term developments, particularly with the expansion of freight traffic in the south-east, are likely to continue to drive demand for distribution support services.

Typical employers include warehousing and distribution firms, manufacturers, freight forwarders, major retailers and charities.

With experience, you could progress to senior planning jobs and consultancy work.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The road haulage industry is part of the logistics sector, represented by the Skills for Logistics Sector Skills Council, which also includes: air freight; wholesaling; storage and warehousing; freight forwarding; postal services; and couriers. Logistics is the movement and supply of all goods (or freight) from raw materials, through all stages of the manufacturing process to the delivery of the finished product to companies and consumers. This is known as the ‘supply chain.’ Nearly 2,320,000 people work in the logistics sector, which accounts to 8% of the UK workforce. It has been estimated that the logistics sector is worth £86.54 billion to the UK economy.

Road haulage is the distribution, movement and supply of goods by road. Road haulage, which includes removal services, is the third largest industry in the logistics sector. The amount of freight that was moved in the UK increased by 46% between 1980 and 2007. The majority of the increase is due to goods being moved by road.

Key facts:

13% of the logistics sector workforce is within freight transport by road.
Road haulage now accounts for 68% of all goods moved compared with 53% in 1980.
A total of 220,000 people are employed in UK road haulage in the UK, which is estimated to be 13% of the entire logistics sector workforce.
There are 34,000 road haulage workplaces in the UK.
Freight transport by road employs the smallest proportion of women and people with a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background than other logistics industries.
12% of the industry workforce is self‐employed.

Jobs in the industry range from: LGV driver, LGV training instructor, distribution manager, removals worker, road transport manager, van driver, transport planner, transport scheduler, road haulage load planner, drivers mate, supply chain manager, operations manager, yard person, training manager, marketing co‐ordinator, operations director, freight account manager, financial planning manager, general manager.

National and regional data

East Midlands – Of the 156,600 employees working in logistics businesses in the East Midlands, 20,600 work in road haulage. This equates to 13% of the logistics workforce in the East Midlands.
East of England – Of the 186,700 employees working in logistics businesses in the East of England, 28,100 of these individuals work in road haulage. This is 15% of the logistics workforce in the region.
London – Of the 178,800 employees working in logistics businesses in London, 8,900 work in road haulage. This accounts for 5% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North East – Of the 55,000 people employed in logistics businesses in the region, 9,900 people are employed in road haulage. This is 18% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North West – Of the 193,400 people working in logistics businesses in the North West, 31,300 people are employed in road haulage. This accounts for 16% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South East – Of the 256,300 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, the road haulage industry employs 21,800 employees. This equates to 8% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South West – Of the 135,100 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, 15,700 work in road haulage. This accounts for 12% of the logistics workforce in the region.
West Midlands – Of the 187,500 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, 26,100 work in road haulage. This accounts for 14% of the logistics workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – Of the 158,100 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, 23,300 work in road haulage. This accounts for 15% of the logistics workforce in the region.