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How to hire a supply chain consultant

Supply chain consultant hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring supply chain consultants in the United States:

  • There are a total of 17,798 supply chain consultants in the US, and there are currently 42,265 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a supply chain consultant is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per supply chain consultant on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Atlanta, GA, has the highest demand for supply chain consultants, with 45 job openings.

How to hire a supply chain consultant, step by step

To hire a supply chain consultant, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a supply chain consultant:

Here's a step-by-step supply chain consultant hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a supply chain consultant job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new supply chain consultant
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a supply chain consultant do?

A supply chain consultant specializes in performing research and analysis to develop strategies for optimal services. Typically working in the manufacturing industry, their responsibilities revolve around monitoring the inventory and supply flow of materials, liaising with vendors and suppliers, coordinating with different departments to gather necessary data, identifying strengths and weaknesses in the operations, and suggesting actions on areas needing improvement. Furthermore, as a supply chain consultant, it is essential to create and recommend business plans, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Learn more about the specifics of what a supply chain consultant does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a supply chain consultant, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A supply chain consultant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, supply chain consultants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of supply chain consultants and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Supply Chain ConsultantDescriptionHourly rate
    Supply Chain Consultant$33-53
    Director, ProcurementThe 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... Show more$47-95
    Procurement OfficerA 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... Show more$25-48
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Supply Chain
    • Logistics
    • Supply Chain Planning
    • Project Management
    • Order Management
    • Prototyping
    • ERP
    • Chain Management
    • Business Development
    • Business Process
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Gap Analysis
    • SCM
    • Oracle Ebs
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage any procurement activities including RFP s
    • Manage production and warehouse teams ensuring DOD policies and corporate rules and regulations compliance while exceeding government nuclear facility audit standards.
    • Consult clients on efficient use of their ERP and SCM methods to effectively plan all the resources in the business enterprise.
    • Assist transition from existing legacy ERP applications to PeopleSoft by investigating and troubleshooting errors.
    • Create implementation strategy to improve supply chain logistics and supplier relationships for largest pieces of equipment.
    • Drive lead time reduction KPIs, data generation and review.
    More supply chain consultant duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your supply chain consultant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A supply chain consultant salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, supply chain consultants' average salary in iowa is 29% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level supply chain consultants earn 38% less than senior-level supply chain consultants.
    • Certifications. A supply chain consultant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a supply chain consultant's salary.

    Average supply chain consultant salary

    $88,400yearly

    $42.50 hourly rate

    Entry-level supply chain consultant salary
    $69,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 13, 2025

    Average supply chain consultant salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$105,463$51
    2California$103,495$50
    3District of Columbia$97,285$47
    4New York$95,073$46
    5Pennsylvania$94,671$46
    6Connecticut$94,656$46
    7New Jersey$94,358$45
    8Texas$93,262$45
    9Massachusetts$92,078$44
    10Arizona$89,843$43
    11North Carolina$89,763$43
    12Ohio$89,349$43
    13Michigan$88,079$42
    14Florida$86,486$42
    15Virginia$86,320$42
    16Minnesota$86,126$41
    17Indiana$85,794$41
    18Wisconsin$85,699$41
    19Colorado$83,347$40
    20Kansas$81,601$39

    Average supply chain consultant salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Cordis$102,166$49.12
    2Amazon$99,651$47.91198
    3Halyard Health$98,181$47.20
    4Hess$97,156$46.71
    5General Mills$96,966$46.62
    6Ernst & Young$94,913$45.63651
    7Bering Straits$94,900$45.63
    8EPAM Systems$94,671$45.5110
    9Catapult Systems$94,364$45.37
    10Verizon Communications$94,220$45.30
    11Sysco$93,630$45.0128
    12Elanco$93,547$44.97
    13Idexcel$93,238$44.832
    14Expicient$92,620$44.53
    15JDA Software Inc$92,431$44.44
    16DuPont$92,331$44.3920
    17Avanade$92,214$44.33
    18RGP$91,603$44.043
    19zanett$91,440$43.96
    20Burns & McDonnell$91,260$43.8841
  4. Writing a supply chain consultant job description

    A supply chain consultant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a supply chain consultant job description:

    Supply chain consultant job description example

    Based in Irvine, CA, we are a growing IT and Services company that specializes in working on the Oracle and NetSuite ERP platforms. We build and deliver cloud solutions to customers across the country. We focus on empowering manufacturers, distributors, and companies looking to implement and scale cloud technology.

    As the Lead Manufacturing Consultant, you will contribute to different phases of the consulting lifecycle. You will be intensely involved in business process consulting. You will define the problem, then propose and create the solution. You will also play an important role in the development, configuration, and deployment of the overall solution. You will guide teams on project processes, deliverables, client training, internal capability building, and help detail the project scope. You will have the opportunity to shape value-adding consulting solutions that enable our clients to meet the changing needs of the global landscape.
    Responsibilities Analyze client needs and requirements, with respect to their current or prospective use of the NetSuite ERP platform Document business processes, functional and/or technical requirements, findings and recommendations Design and configure/develop effective, efficient, and appropriate solutions to client issues and requirements Advise clients about the most appropriate utilization of NetSuite to meet their stated objectives Guide and teach client staff on the use of NetSuite Find and implement new ways to constantly improve client satisfaction, loyalty, and system adoption Provide assistance to client staff when they encounter issues or problems with NetSuite Support the efforts of the Sales and Management Teams to promote and grow the NetSuite practice Meet or exceed revenue/utilization targets Effectively communicate status of in-flight projects and tasks assigned
    Education and Experience Bachelor's degree with 3+ years of work related experience Ability to work independently and as part of a team Willingness to travel (about 30% a year) NetSuite consulting experience Ability to setup, configure, and understand the settings and options behind the NetSuite core modules of Financials, Manufacturing and Distribution OneWorld, Inventory, SuiteAnalytics (Saved Searches, Reports, Financial Reports), Roles/Dashboards Understanding of relational databases and data migration NetSuite ERP platform Required Skills: NetSuite Solution Architect and Consultant with ERP implementation, chain manufacturing, and supply chain experience. Knowledge of Order to Cash, Procure to Pay, Design to Build, and Plan to Produce Processes. Nice To Have:
    - Working with customers in Manufacturing and Distribution industries
    - Write advanced saved searches using Oracle SQL syntax in formulae
    - SuiteFlow development
    - SuiteScript 1.0 or 2.0 development
    - NetSuite API and integration with external systems
    - NetSuite SuiteFoundation, Administrator, Consultant or Developer Certification
    - NetSuite Modules, such as Manufacturing, Advanced Projects, Advanced Revenue Management, SuitePeople, Demand Planning
    - CPA, PMP, APICS, or CISA, etc.

    Benefits: 401k Health benefits Competitive salary Competitive compensation and benefits package Paid company holidays Supports and funds team members pursuing advanced certs, additional training, and getting the proper tools to make you successful Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. Green Card or US citizenship required

    Equal Opportunity Employer

    All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
  5. Post your job

    To find supply chain consultants for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any supply chain consultants they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level supply chain consultants with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your supply chain consultant job on Zippia to find and recruit supply chain consultant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting supply chain consultants requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new supply chain consultant

    Once you've selected the best supply chain consultant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new supply chain consultant first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a supply chain consultant?

Hiring a supply chain consultant comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting supply chain consultants involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of supply chain consultant recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $88,400 per year for a supply chain consultant, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for supply chain consultants in the US typically range between $33 and $53 an hour.

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