What does a supply chain director do?
A supply chain director is primarily in charge of the overall supply chain operations in a company. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to improve processes, creating business plans and sales forecasts, delegating tasks, coordinating and selecting suppliers and vendors, creating new supply chain policies when necessary, and spearheading the inventory and delivery processes. There are also instances when a supply chain director must report to higher-ranking officials, produce progress reports, and craft presentations. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead the workforce while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Supply chain director responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real supply chain director resumes:
- Manage the NPI function from sourcing to production in low cost regions.
- Lead DC improvements including cross-docking, order handling automation, re-slotting, bar coding and WMS.
- Manage procurement method (contract, kanban, PO, consignment) as well as stocking/inventory parameters.
- Manage``Pluto"( NPI) launch in NA, balancing between factory ramp-up, sales / customer expectations.
- Attain ISO certifications and environmental stewardship.
- Lead the development of integrate ERP processes require to support consign inventory initiatives.
- Manage supplier performance base on identify KPIs and implement supplier-sourcing strategies to improve performance.
- Key areas of responsibility include serial and non-serial inventory management, reverse logistics and warehousing, vendor management and operational execution.
- Work to identify and correct missing or inaccurate return EDI documents.
- Create one planning process across multiple regions and business units, introducing common KPIs and business rules to govern decision-making.
- Identify and correct MRP lead time calculation error, dramatically improving planning accuracy.
- Track inventory reduction projects, manage MRO MRP and oversee physical inventory process which ensure Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
- Design the supply chain, develop production and manufacturing readiness plans and coordinate purchasing activities across multiple commodities.
- Develop and implement process to track consign inventory in ERP system resulting in systematic tracking of inventory instead of spreadsheets.
- Manage inbound/outbound logistics domestically and internationally.
Supply chain director skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Supply Chain Directors are proficient in Supply Chain, Logistics, and Chain Operations.
We break down the percentage of Supply Chain Directors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Supply Chain, 20%
Led and developed strategic initiatives across supply chain focusing on optimizing merchandise strategies and maximizing profitability through streamlining supply chain processes.
- Logistics, 9%
Managed inbound/outbound logistics domestically and internationally.
- Chain Operations, 7%
Executed Supply Chain Operations Due Diligence activities for 10 concurrent hospital acquisitions.
- Continuous Improvement, 5%
Developed and implemented a continuous improvement plans that includes effective policies and procedures to improve quality and inventory turns.
- Chain Management, 4%
Analyze and streamline business processes guiding the supply chain management cycle implementing corrective actions to ensure alignment with operational procedures.
- Supply Chain Planning, 3%
Managed supply chain planning and administration.
Common skills that a supply chain director uses to do their job include "supply chain," "logistics," and "chain operations." You can find details on the most important supply chain director responsibilities below.
The three companies that hire the most supply chain directors are:
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Compare different supply chain directors
Supply chain director 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a supply chain director are more likely to require skills like "supply chain," "logistics," "chain operations," and "continuous improvement." On the other hand, a job as an inventory management specialist requires skills like "customer service," "inventory management system," "purchase orders," and "sales floor." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Inventory management specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $65,378. On the other hand, supply chain directors are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $134,920.The education levels that inventory management specialists earn slightly differ from supply chain directors. In particular, inventory management specialists are 14.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a supply chain director. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Supply chain director 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real supply chain director resumes. While supply chain director responsibilities can utilize skills like "supply chain," "chain operations," "continuous improvement," and "chain management," procurement officers use skills like "purchase orders," "purchase requisitions," "contract management," and "procurement procedures."
On average, procurement officers earn a lower salary than supply chain directors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, procurement officers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $74,267. Whereas supply chain directors have higher pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $134,920.procurement officers earn lower levels of education than supply chain directors in general. They're 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Supply chain director vs. Inventory control manager
An inventory control manager is an individual who is responsible for directing all tasks related to inventory management of a company. They manage the allocation of materials, supplies, and finished goods as well as design strategies to minimize the cost or time to move goods. They are required to lead a team of storage or warehouse personnel to help them with the actual inventory count. Inventory control managers must also develop a business relationship with their suppliers or vendors.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, supply chain directors are more likely to have skills like "supply chain," "chain operations," "chain management," and "supply chain planning." But a inventory control manager is more likely to have skills like "inventory control procedures," "sales floor," "customer service," and "team work."
Inventory control managers make a very good living in the retail industry with an average annual salary of $59,685. On the other hand, supply chain directors are paid the highest salary in the hospitality industry, with average annual pay of $134,920.inventory control managers typically earn lower educational levels compared to supply chain directors. Specifically, they're 13.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Supply chain director vs. Inventory manager
An inventory manager is responsible for supervising the overall inventory operations, monitoring supplies and materials, and checking the accuracy of data reports from the inventory associates. Inventory managers' duties include validating stock levels using record software tools, determining the availability of stocks for purchase orders, inspecting the incoming and outgoing shipments, and addressing product concerns by communicating with suppliers and third-party vendors. An inventory manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the staff's performance and manage customers' inquiries and complaints.
Types of supply chain director
Updated January 8, 2025
