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The differences between supply chain managers and supply chain specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a supply chain manager and a supply chain specialist. Additionally, a supply chain manager has an average salary of $100,414, which is higher than the $71,414 average annual salary of a supply chain specialist.
The top three skills for a supply chain manager include supply chain, logistics and project management. The most important skills for a supply chain specialist are supply chain, logistics, and chain management.
| Supply Chain Manager | Supply Chain Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $100,414 | $71,414 |
| Hourly rate | $48.28 | $34.33 |
| Growth rate | - | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 37,773 | 25,129 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A supply chain manager is an individual who takes responsibility for managing hardware, equipment, and any other logistical details of an organization. Supply chain managers work alongside the external partners for parts and raw material procurement. They make sure that global companies coordinate with their sources of goods. These professionals also assess their suppliers and negotiate corporate contracts with vendors. The skills they needed include technical understanding, project management, cost accounting skills, and business ethics.
It is the responsibility of the supply chain specialist to procure materials to manufacture and ship products. The supply chain specialist determines and orders the proper quantities and negotiates pricing and their shipment terms. They oversee the delivery of necessary materials for the fulfillment of orders made by customers. The specialists need to develop strong skills in project management, business ethics, problem-solving, understanding of financial statements, communication skills, and cost accounting skills.
Supply chain managers and supply chain specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Supply Chain Manager | Supply Chain Specialist | |
| Average salary | $100,414 | $71,414 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $139,000 | Between $49,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | California |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Energy |
There are a few differences between a supply chain manager and a supply chain specialist in terms of educational background:
| Supply Chain Manager | Supply Chain Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between supply chain managers' and supply chain specialists' demographics:
| Supply Chain Manager | Supply Chain Specialist | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.8% Female, 25.2% | Male, 58.6% Female, 41.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |