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Supply Chain Manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. Timothy Edwards,

Jaunelle Celaire

Some of the most important hard skills a supply chain manager can possess include work with production procedures, management of supply chain logistics, and project management. It's important that supply chain managers have these skills because they will likely be major parts of the job.

When it comes to soft skills, supply chain managers should be focused on providing excellent customer service while still attending to the needs and concerns of their staff.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical supply chain manager skills. We ranked the top skills for supply chain managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 19.8% of supply chain manager resumes contained supply chain as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a supply chain manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 supply chain manager skills for your resume and career

1. Supply Chain

A supply chain is a network or a sequence by which finished products of a company are distributed to retailers and then supplied to the end-users. The distribution of products and services from the production line to the final buyers is carried out in a series of steps including; manufacturing, transportation, and their distribution. The whole supply chain consists of different entities including; manufacturers, transportation, warehouses, suppliers, and retailers. The entities ensure that the products retain their originality while also minimizing the cost of delivery.

Here's how supply chain managers use supply chain:

Manage department's supply chain consensus process improving change management and commercialization activities, fill rate maximization and excess inventory reduction.
Led consulting engagements, leveraged technology and applied leading business practices to enable cost-effective, service oriented and responsive supply chains.

2. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how supply chain managers use logistics:

Analyzed costs and market dynamics to maximize profit by providing operational solutions to senior management on logistics related operations and inquires.
Coordinated activities of return warehouse operations as a collection and export center, under reverse logistics operations to HQ refurbish centers.

3. Project Management

Here's how supply chain managers use project management:

Apply dynamic strategic planning, prioritization, and project management skills toward consistently achieving critical deadlines while maintaining high quality standards.
Drive overall business unit supply chain and project management improvements with a focus on inventory reduction and business process improvements.

4. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how supply chain managers use customer service:

Prepared manufacturing plans at global level consistent with customer service, inventory and financial objectives using leading edge Red Pepper technology.
Led 6 member inventory management team in creatively solving business problems by providing solutions that improved customer service and reduced inventory.

5. Chain Management

Here's how supply chain managers use chain management:

Gained hands-on experience in multiple aspects of supply-chain management: demand planning, material management, warehousing/transportation, and customer service.
Developed Sales / Marketing materials, including several white papers on Validation, Regulatory Compliance and Supply Chain Management service offerings.

6. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how supply chain managers use continuous improvement:

Managed operations and inventory control for large-scale Chicago area property Security Company while ensuring continuous improvement of all logistical processes.
Participate in various Lean Manufacturing Accelerated Improvement Workshops (AIW) concentrate on continuous improvement methods and improved customer responsiveness.

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7. Supply Chain Planning

Here's how supply chain managers use supply chain planning:

Developed and implemented visual supply chain planning board that improved tactical organizational efficiency and eliminated waste across all PET's.
Revised entire supply chain planning process to eliminate unnecessary overtime shifts, improving site budgets.

8. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how supply chain managers use erp:

Piloted software implementation by establishing requirements, creating strategy, and defining implementation plan; managed integration with ERP system.
Project managed major ERP Implementation on time and under budget resulting in improved manufacturing reporting and order management.

9. Process Improvement

Here's how supply chain managers use process improvement:

Participated in cross-functional/departmental process improvement projects and initiatives.
Conducted market/vendor evaluations to identified field procedural gaps in streamlining process improvements that resulted in reduced refurbishment cycle time and inventory.

10. Chain Operations

Here's how supply chain managers use chain operations:

Created complex product costing models and capacity utilization models to assist senior management during the integration of supply chain operations.
Worked with country program offices in improving supply chain operations including inventory management, distribution and operational planning.

11. On-Time Delivery

On-Time Delivery, or OTD, is a metric that measures the rate at which finished goods and deliveries are completed on time. This rate is measured by the overall number of units shipped within a specified time frame agreed upon by the consumer and supplier. On-Time Delivery allows suppliers' compliance with delivery deadlines, and hence their consistency, to be assessed using a continuous and collaborative development approach.

Here's how supply chain managers use on-time delivery:

Recruited in 2011 to improve team morale and communication between departments, facilitating new product development and improved on-time delivery.
Implemented cellular manufacturing and Six Sigma tools to reduce cycle times and improve on-time delivery on complex internal manufacturing activities.

12. Cost Reduction

Here's how supply chain managers use cost reduction:

Implemented and personally managed an ongoing program initiative for cost reductions for the Corporation by consolidating purchases and conducting supplier negotiations.
Implemented prototype cost tracking strategy and achieved consistent quarterly cost reductions while simultaneously conducting monthly bill of material risk analysis.

13. Lean Six Sigma

Here's how supply chain managers use lean six sigma:

Led Lean Six Sigma analytic team to develop and implement innovative factory management program.
Utilize 7-S and 5-S methodologies to eliminate waste and ensure a lean six sigma focus as well as incorporate sustainable solutions.

14. Inventory Management

Here's how supply chain managers use inventory management:

Redesign of the procurement and receiving process; established and implemented new performance metrics to optimize and standardize material inventory management.
Established ABC's classification system to manage high/fast-moving items effectively and introduced weekly inventory management meeting to address/resolve inventory issues.

15. MRP

MRP is an abbreviation of Material Requirements Planning and refers to the control system which is implemented in the planning and management of the activities related to manufacturing. Through MRP, manufacturers can easily schedule the production and it can also be used for inventory. MRP systems are mostly software-based but the process can also be carried out manually.

Here's how supply chain managers use mrp:

Implemented standardized work processes in Quality Priority, Product Discontinuation, and MRP Data Audits in order to promote organizational alignment.
Managed and executed Integrated Supply Chain activities to ensure timely release of requirements through MRP receipt of components/systems.

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What skills help Supply Chain Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Supply Chain Manager resumes?

Dr. Timothy Edwards

Professor, Interim Director, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Writing and research skills. Analytical and critical thinking skills. Technical skills such as web design, graphic design, audio and video production skills. Employers are interested in potential employees knowledge, intelligence and skills.

What Supply Chain Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Jaunelle Celaire

Chair, Professor of Voice, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Never stop learning! This may consist of going back to school, earning new certifications in your field of study, attending conferences and seminars, and making sure that your time management is always at its finest level of excellence.

What type of skills will young Supply Chain Managers need?

Daniel Stanton

CEO, Mr. Supply Chain

Of course, supply chain professionals need to understand the basics of logistics, procurement, and operations. But if I had to pick just three skills that I think are going to be critical for supply chain graduates in the years ahead, I'd say 1) Data Analysis, 2) Systems Thinking, and 3) Project Management. The amount of data that's available is growing quickly, and we need people who can access and analyze it. Then, we need to understand what that data means, and how it affects all of the different functions within our supply chains. And finally, in order to use that data to make changes, supply chain professionals need to be able to launch and manage projects effectively.

What technical skills for a Supply Chain Manager stand out to employers?

Jason Hewitt Ph.D.

Lecturer, Pennsylvania State University - Behrend, Erie PA

Zoom for every industry. Industry-specific software is of course important as well. Communication skills, both internally as well as customer facing, are essential in these times of uncertainty.

Do you want to know more?

List of supply chain manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a supply chain manager resume and required skills for a supply chain manager to have include:

Supply Chain
Logistics
Project Management
Customer Service
Chain Management
Continuous Improvement
Supply Chain Planning
ERP
Process Improvement
Chain Operations
On-Time Delivery
Cost Reduction
Lean Six Sigma
Inventory Management
MRP

Sigma
Inventory Control
Excellent Interpersonal
Purchase Orders
Business Processes
Demand Planning
Supplier Performance
Lean Manufacturing
Strong Analytical
Chain Processes
Strategic Sourcing
KPIs
Direct Reports
Work Ethic
Power Bi

Performance Metrics
Cost Savings
Material Flow
Cycle Management
Shipping Receiving
Customer Satisfaction
Production Planning
Prototyping
Oracle Ebs
Production Scheduling
Kanban
Management System
SCM
Supplier Relationships

Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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