By Grace Tino

There is no doubt that the work of supply chain businesses is multifaceted! For the person looking to break into the world of supply chain and logistics, opportunities are abounding, and continue to grow with consumer demand and international connections. If you're a little confused on where to get started, here is a breakdown to help guide you on your career path!

A good place to start is considering the different types of industries with supply chain there are to work with. There are vast amounts of spaces that place a strong emphasis on supply chain, some common ones include:

• Retail
• Automotive
• Healthcare
• Medical Devices
• Consumer Packaged Goods
• Wholesale

Another aspect to consider are the various functions you can have in supply chain. Generally, functions can be broken into several main categories. These categories include Supply Chain Planning, Production and Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Logistics and Transportation, and each has a wide variety of jobs to choose from.

• Supply Chain Planning: This involves the balance of supply and demand by the coordination of assets from raw material to finished good, so it is important at every stage of the supply chain process from origin to point of consumption. Some common jobs here to consider are a Supply Chain Planner, Production Planner, Inventory Manager, Inventory Strategy Optimization, and Demand Planner.
• Production and Manufacturing: This is the actual production of the good from raw materials. Common jobs here are Quality Manager, Production Warehouse Manager, General Warehouse Workers, Production Operative, or Engineer. Education requirements greatly vary here, so there are plenty of opportunities for all levels!
• Purchasing and Sourcing: This section is part of inbound supply chain. Common jobs here are Buyer, Category Manager, Procurement Specialist, Supplier Management, and Inventory Clerk.
• Logistics and Transportation: This is the movement of materials, goods, and oftentimes information as well. Common jobs here are Warehouse Administrator, Logistician, General Warehouse Workers, Drivers, Transport Administrator, and Distribution Manager.

As you can see, there are a lot of options for people of all interests and experience levels to join the fast-paced and growing space of supply chain!