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The differences between supply chain specialists and supply chain project managers 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 specialist and a supply chain project manager. Additionally, a supply chain project manager has an average salary of $95,298, which is higher than the $71,414 average annual salary of a supply chain specialist.
The top three skills for a supply chain specialist include supply chain, logistics and chain management. The most important skills for a supply chain project manager are supply chain, project management, and supply chain planning.
| Supply Chain Specialist | Supply Chain Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $71,414 | $95,298 |
| Hourly rate | $34.33 | $45.82 |
| Growth rate | 28% | - |
| Number of jobs | 25,129 | 82,193 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A supply chain project manager is responsible for monitoring the supply chain process, ensuring that the procedures adhere to the business functions and product deliverables. Supply chain project managers determine business improvement techniques, including the timely distribution of high-quality products and coordinating with suppliers and third-party vendors for inventories. They also negotiate business contracts and address customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the services of an organization. A supply chain project manager identifies the inconsistencies and faults in the supply chain cycle, developing opportunities to improve operations and achieve the highest customer satisfaction.
Supply chain specialists and supply chain project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Supply Chain Specialist | Supply Chain Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $71,414 | $95,298 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $102,000 | Between $69,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Bruno, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a supply chain specialist and a supply chain project manager in terms of educational background:
| Supply Chain Specialist | Supply Chain Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between supply chain specialists' and supply chain project managers' demographics:
| Supply Chain Specialist | Supply Chain Project Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.6% Female, 41.4% | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |