Navigating Your Supply Chain Career Path

From Entry Level to the C-Suite, 25 Factors – and Chicago – Can Help

In a world of perpetual disruption, is supply chain a good career?

You bet. My chosen area of expertise requires strategic thinking, leadership and a deep understanding of global markets. It’s intellectually stimulating and, yes, fun. I like to say I haven’t worked a day in 50 years – even though I “work” every day.

Sometimes I “work” at the beach. Sometimes at the gym. Often at my desk. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. That means I’ve learned a lot.

But like the hit song from Chicago, a band from my hometown of Elmwood Park, Ill., “I’m Feelin’ Stronger Every Day.“

So, if you’re plotting a supply chain career path, perhaps I can be of service. My supply chain career advice includes:

• What you should consider when doing a self-review
• What you should consider when prioritizing your objectives and career goals.
• Five categories, each with five factors, that apply to both bullet points above.

Career Growth Requires a Process

As a Ph.D. industrial engineer from Purdue, I’m a process guy. Which is a good thing because all work is a process. That includes developing your career.

Whether you’re just starting out or well into your career, the following process can prepare you for your next supply chain role.

First, we have five categories to consider:

1. Communications
2. Leadership
3. Problem-solving, planning and innovation
4. Technology
5. Foundational knowledge

Each category has five factors detailed below. The process starts by identifying your weakest factor in each category. This will help you pinpoint the areas where you need the most improvement, guiding your path for the next six months.

Then decide which of these five categories is most important to your company or your development. This will help you focus your efforts where they will have the greatest impact.

Work on your greatest category opportunity and your weakest factors for the next six months. When done, grade your progress, and then do it again, continually refining your skills.

Now, on to the five categories for self-assessment, growth and development.

1. Communications

If you strive to be any kind of leader, effective communication is key. Without strong communication skills, even the best strategies can fail. Focus on:

• Interpersonal relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers and customers. Trust goes a long way to fixing things when the goods and services don’t arrive. And things will go wrong at some point.
• Presentation and writing skills: Effective leaders clearly articulate ideas, whether writing, speaking or both.
• Customer and supplier relations and negotiation: These skills are key to ensuring smooth operations and favorable agreements.
• Collaboration, partnerships and alliances: Working effectively with others can drive innovation and success.
• Teamwork and team building: A cohesive team is vital for achieving shared goals.

Trust and belief are important in relationships and critical when communicating within your team. Or, as the lyrics from the song that inspired this blog: “I do believe in you, and I know you believe in me …”

2. Leadership

At some point, you will have to be a manager. At other times, you must be a leader. Occasionally, you’ll have to juggle both.

As I wrote in Insightful Leadership: Surfing the Waves to Organizational Excellence, managers plan, organize, direct and control. They have subordinates who execute plans to accomplish goals. And managers have historically optimized those daily operations to produce optimal results. In addition, managers have a circle of power to whom they ask questions about “how” and “when.”

Leaders, on the other hand, communicate, motivate, inspire and provide guidance. They have followers who are looking across the horizon into the future. Leaders challenge the status quo and guide the development of new strategies. They have a circle of influence to whom they ask questions about “what” and “why.”

The following are the five key factors for leadership development:

• Vision, strategy and culture: A strong leader sets the vision and strategy while fostering a positive organizational culture.
• Staff development, coaching and mentoring: Helping your team grow is a key responsibility of a leader.
• Optionality, resilience and handling the speed of change: Adaptability is crucial in today’s world, where disruption is the new normal.
• Global perspective, regulations and ethics: Understanding the global landscape and maintaining ethical standards are essential.
• Finance, economic analysis and legal: A leader must know these areas to make informed decisions.

Effective, insightful leadership makes your team and organization “stronger every day.”

3. Problem-Solving, Planning and Innovation

Supply chain management is all about solving problems and planning for the future. (However, as I’ve written before, most organizations do supply chain management wrong.)

But I digress. For this process, focus on:

• Data analysis, creativity and analytical skills: These are fundamental for identifying issues and crafting solutions.
• Strategic and contingency planning: Always have a plan B (and C) ready.
• Business intelligence, insightfulness and innovation: Use data to drive innovation and stay ahead of the competition.
• Multi-objective, cross-functional decision-making: Complex problems often require solutions that span multiple functions. You’re going to have to bust silos.
• Project and change management: Leading projects and managing change are critical skills.

Problem-solving isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for growth. Or, as the lyrics go, “After what you’ve meant to me, I can’t make it easily …”

4. Technology

Technology is transforming the supply chain industry. To stay competitive, focus on:

• Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and big data analytics: These technologies are driving efficiency and innovation.
• Internet of things (IoT), cloud computing and digital twins: These tools are revolutionizing how supply chains operate.
• Enterprise systems and supply chain software: You must know these systems to manage modern supply chains.
• Cybersecurity: Protecting your supply chain from cyber threats is a top priority.
• Robotics and automation: Automation is key to increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

Embracing technology will make your supply chain more resilient and efficient. With the right technology, you have a better chance at knowing that your suppliers and customers “would have wanted it this way.”

5. Foundational Knowledge

A solid foundation in supply chain processes and principles is essential for any professional. Focus on:

• Supply chain strategy and design: Understanding the big picture is crucial.
• Planning, purchasing, manufacturing, transportation, distribution/fulfillment, selling and servicing: Mastering these areas is fundamental to global supply chain success.
• Inventory, customer satisfaction, sustainability, circular economy and profitable growth: You need to right inventory in the right places to satisfy customers. Sustainability, the circular economy and profitable growth will go hand-in-hand over the next few years.
• Material, information and cash flows: If these three don’t flow, you have no business, no supply chain – and no revenue.
• Industry-specific requirements and specifications: Whether you’re targeting a role as an operations manager, a seat in the C-suite or an entry level spot, you need to know our industry’s unique needs.

A deep understanding of foundational knowledge ensures that you’re prepared for any challenge. That will prevent the urgent from overtaking the important, forcing you to “live on the run.”

Have Your Career Feelin’ Stronger Every Day

Navigating a career in supply chain requires a strategic approach, from choosing what to learn next to setting personal career goals.

By focusing on the key factors within the five categories outlined above, you can strengthen your skills and position yourself for success.

Remember, just as the song “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” suggests, continuous improvement and resilience propel long-term growth and career fulfillment. So, take these insights, apply them diligently and watch as you feel stronger every day in your supply chain journey.

Interested in developing your supply chain career? Drop me a line, and let’s help chart your future.