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What does a global supply chain manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A global supply chain manager is responsible for supervising the overall supply management operations across branches globally and monitoring the logistics details and processes to prevent distribution and manufacturing delays. Global supply chain managers identify cost-reduction resources by negotiating and coordinating with trusted suppliers and vendors to provide high-quality materials according to client needs. They also determine inefficiency with delivery procedures and increase efficiency by improving shipment systems and maximizing the staff's productivity. A global supply chain manager reviews the record of inventories and ensures the adequacy of items on hand.

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Global supply chain manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real global supply chain manager resumes:

  • Lead operation planning across the Americas, Asia, EMEA.
  • Develop advance excel templates to automate monthly financial reports from ERP system.
  • Manage strategy development, process re-engineering, logistics management, and information technology support for the supply chain enterprise.
  • Establish MRP policies and procedures to help reduce inventory levels by $250K while minimizing stockouts.
  • Used SharePoint as project document repository.
  • Streamline operations and establish key relationships with global business partners in Americas, Europe, and Asia.
  • Analyze partner capabilities for enrollment into EDI testing environment.

Global supply chain manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 25% of Global Supply Chain Managers are proficient in Supply Chain, Continuous Improvement, and Demand Planning.

We break down the percentage of Global Supply Chain Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Supply Chain, 25%

    Provided strategic and managerial direction to engine center materials and supply chain organizations located in Connecticut, Georgia, and Singapore.

  • Continuous Improvement, 6%

    Managed fulfillment and purchasing teams, supported individual development, championed continuous improvement and fostered a learning environment.

  • Demand Planning, 4%

    Manage 20 professionals in demand planning, production planning, materials management and distribution planning across 6 manufacturing plants.

  • Chain Management, 3%

    Analyze and streamline business processes guiding the supply chain management cycle implementing corrective actions to ensure alignment with operational procedures.

  • Supply Chain Planning, 3%

    Enhanced existing business processes, recommended opportunities and implemented improvements in transportation,logistics and supply chain planning.

  • Chain Strategy, 3%

    Defined and executed supply chain strategy for Diagnostic Cardiology encompassing High-Level-Assembly outsourced manufacturing and regional configuration and distribution.

Most global supply chain managers use their skills in "supply chain," "continuous improvement," and "demand planning" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential global supply chain manager responsibilities here:

See the full list of global supply chain manager skills

Choose from 10+ customizable global supply chain manager resume templates

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Global Supply Chain Manager Resume

Compare different global supply chain managers

Global supply chain manager vs. Director, procurement

The responsibilities of a procurement director revolve around ensuring the efficient and smooth flow of supplies within the company, developing procurement strategies for optimal services and operations, assessing risks, and overseeing the implementation of new policies and regulations in the company. It is essential to coordinate with analysts to identify areas with potential opportunities or those needing improvements. Moreover, a director, procurement may directly communicate with stakeholders or higher-ranking officials, participate in recruiting new members of the workforce, and create programs for profit growth and significant results.

If we compare the average global supply chain manager annual salary with that of a director, procurement, we find that directors, procurement typically earn a $17,635 higher salary than global supply chain managers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both global supply chain manager and director, procurement positions are skilled in continuous improvement, chain management, and supply chain planning.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between global supply chain managers and director, procurement. For instance, global supply chain manager responsibilities require skills such as "supply chain," "demand planning," "chain strategy," and "on-time delivery." Whereas a director, procurement is skilled in "logistics," "supplier relationships," "procurement strategies," and "oversight." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Directors, procurement tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $148,169. In contrast, global supply chain managers make the biggest average salary, $125,609, in the technology industry.directors, procurement tend to reach similar levels of education than global supply chain managers. In fact, directors, procurement are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Global supply chain manager vs. Procurement officer

A procurement officer is primarily in charge of overseeing the procurement of supplies and equipment for an organization, prioritizing cost-efficiency and quality. It is their duty to manage the company's supply inventory, compile and analyze procurement requests, develop purchase plans, handle purchase procedures, and maintain records of all transactions, producing reports regularly. They must also liaise and negotiate with vendors and suppliers, building positive relationships with them. Furthermore, as a procurement officer, it is essential to lead the procurement team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average, procurement officers earn a $48,855 lower salary than global supply chain managers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both global supply chain managers and procurement officers have skills such as "strategic sourcing," "inventory management," and "erp. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, global supply chain manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "supply chain," "continuous improvement," "demand planning," and "chain management." Meanwhile, a procurement officer has duties that require skills in areas such as "purchase orders," "purchase requisitions," "contract management," and "logistics." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Procurement officers may earn a lower salary than global supply chain managers, but procurement officers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $74,267. On the other hand, global supply chain managers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $125,609.In general, procurement officers achieve lower levels of education than global supply chain managers. They're 7.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Global supply chain manager vs. Contracts director

A contract director is primarily in charge of developing and negotiating contracts with clients and partners, ensuring adherence to the company's policies and regulations. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing extensive research and analysis to foresee potential advantages and disadvantages, coordinating with analysts and other experts, monitoring the progress of operations to ensure contract compliance of both parties, and overseeing the development of proposals within the organization. Furthermore, as a contract director, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach goals, all while implementing the mission and vision of the company.

On average scale, contracts directors bring in lower salaries than global supply chain managers. In fact, they earn a $49,072 lower salary per year.By looking over several global supply chain managers and contracts directors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "strategic sourcing," "direct reports," and "executive management." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from global supply chain manager resumes include skills like "supply chain," "continuous improvement," "demand planning," and "chain management," whereas a contracts director is more likely to list skills in "contract management," "oversight," "contract terms," and "strong analytical. "

Contracts directors earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $87,719. Global supply chain managers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $125,609.contracts directors typically earn similar educational levels compared to global supply chain managers. Specifically, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Global supply chain manager vs. Inventory management specialist

An inventory management specialist is responsible for maintaining the adequacy of stock supplies to support customers' needs. Inventory management specialists help develop inventory processes and strategies to keep the supplies organized and free of any defects while on storage. They also monitor inventory costs and process orders through various software tools, requiring them to have a working knowledge of computer systems and the ability to operate warehouse equipment and machinery on moving merchandise around the warehouse.

Inventory management specialists average a lower salary than the annual salary of global supply chain managers. The difference is about $66,391 per year.According to resumes from global supply chain managers and inventory management specialists, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "mrp," and "inventory control. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "supply chain," "continuous improvement," "demand planning," and "chain management" are skills that commonly show up on global supply chain manager resumes. On the other hand, inventory management specialists use skills like inventory management system, purchase orders, sales floor, and stock merchandise on their resumes.inventory management specialists enjoy the best pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $65,378. For comparison, global supply chain managers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.inventory management specialists reach lower levels of education compared to global supply chain managers, in general. The difference is that they're 14.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of global supply chain manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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