Career in Supply Chain Management & Logistics: What to study?

Supply Chain Management is all about getting things from A to B. And in an increasingly globalised world, this field offers a promising career perspective. But what should you study for a career in Supply Chain Management or Logistics? Read on to find out:

Why study Supply Chain Management?

The last few decades have seen tremendous growth in world trade: Products are manufactured in one place, then shipped and sold in other places all over the world. Globalisation has been the major driver of economic growth.

That means that for many large organisations, managing their supply chains has become increasingly important. In fact, many of the world’s most successful businesses owe their success to efficient supply chain management.

Career perspectives are ideal for graduates with a degree in Supply Chain Management or Logistics. Expect to work in a fascinating context with many international assignments. And things are going to become even more exciting in the coming years and decades: Innovations like autonomous warehouses, self-driving trucks and ships, drones, or even Hyperloop will certainly shake things up. A university education focusing on supply chain management will guarantee plenty of job options!

What should I study for a career in Supply Chain Management & Logistics?

For most positions, companies will hire graduates from Business Studies or MBA programmes, as long as you have had the chance to take courses about SCM and Logistics. And because these subjects are so important to so many corporations, they are covered at least to some extent in virtually every general business study programme.

But of course, graduates from specialised Bachelors or Masters in Logistics will have a huge advantage over other applicants! After all, they possess a lot of expert knowledge already at graduation. There are many universities throughout Europe where you can get a Supply Chain degree. Our programme search helps you find the right Bachelor or Master degree programme.

What skills do I need?

Analytical skills are key for a career in supply chain management. You should have fun solving problems with data, calculation models and forecasts.
The ability to understand, and also teach others, the technical aspects of supply chains in the industry you will be working in.
Knowing additional languages and other cultures is a plus in any job - but even more so when you have to handle global supply chains and many international suppliers or customers. Studying abroad is the perfect way to prepare for an international role. You might particularly want to look for degrees that encourage you to do an additional student exchange semester!
Be ready to learn and adapt throughout your career. That is certainly true for any industry. When it comes to supply chains, logistics, and transport, the coming years will see technological advances, legal developments as well as many large economics trends shaping the industry.

Where can I work with a degree in Supply Chain Management?

With a degree in Logistics or Supply Chain Management, you are well-equipped to work in a wide range of industries. In fact, it is not unusual for professionals to switch between industries after a few years of work experience: Many of the relevant best practices are the same or at least similar.

The following list shows just a few examples of the types of companies that would hire graduates from Supply Chain Engineering degrees or similar fields:

Consumer electronics (Apple, Samsung)
Automotive sector (Volkswagen, BMW)
Aviation (Airbus, Boeing)
Machinery (Caterpillar, Volvo)
Resources & mining (Glencore, BHP Billiton)
Logistics, transportation & shipping (Maersk, Kuehne + Nagel, DHL)
Retail (Amazon, H&M, Carrefour)
Consulting (McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, EY, KPMG)

Your responsibilities may vary from position to position. The most typical job titles and tasks include:

Buyer, Purchaser or Purchase Manager: You identify and select new suppliers, negotiate deals and evaluate existing suppliers.
Operations Planner or Production Coordinator: You manage production schedules, forecast the future needs of supplies and coordinate those requirements with other departments.
Inventory Specialist: You are responsible for the level and quality of inventory, monitor and optimise the inventory flow and the processes in distribution centers.
Transportation Coordinator: You handle relationships with logistics carriers and ensure that products get delivered on schedule.
Supply Chain Manager: Depending on the industry and company, this role might combine many of the responsibilities listed for the other job titles above.