A supply chain manager has responsibilities to manage a company’s business process from upstream to downstream by coordinating other divisions.
The main job of supply chain manager is to purchase raw materials, deliver it to various points throughout the business, ensure that the company makes enough of its product to meet customer demand, and deliver the output to the right destinations on time.
Let’s see further what are the responsibilities of a supply chain manager. By knowing these responsibilities, you will get an insightful idea how to maintain your performance as a supply chain manager.
1. Communication
A supply chain manager must have the ability to professionally communicate with all types of people via phone, email, face-to-face and videoconference interactions. Negotiation of shipping prices and transportation arrangements is their job. They must maintain communication with suppliers, vendors, and shipping contacts throughout the procurement lifecycle. They must know how to develop communication to identify potential issues, resolutions and opportunities.
2. Transportation
Supply chain managers must be able to manage contracts and tariffs with shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, warehouse managers, and relevant third party logistic service providers.
They must ensure that import and export compliance procedures comply with industry standard policies regarding quality, safety and process improvement.
They must also understand the Customs and Border Protection practices of a country. Supply chain managers ensure that designated freight forwarders and customs brokers follow established processes and procedures.
3. Planning and Analysis
Supply chain managers must be able to develop and maintain supply chain plans and strategies. This may involve coordinating and overseeing manufacturing operations in order to forecast orders and meet customer demands.
They must optimize and execute cost reductions and inventory controls. They conduct monthly capacity and performance analyses to ensure that forecasts and schedules are aligned and integrated. They need to engage in short- and long-term planning and conduct inventory analyses for warehouse utilization and manufacturing coordination.
4. Inventory Control
Inventory control is a common job duty for supply chain managers with purchasing manager duties. They support growth objectives through the development of concise metrics and reporting functions. They are responsible for conducting risk assessments on things like product perishability, supply trends, demand factors and at-risk product mitigation. They must maintain a total cost perspective with a lean manufacturing mindset and reduce product obsolescence through inventory reviews and re-balancing efforts.
5. Management
Supply chain managers promote the design, development, and implementation of warehouse, distribution and logistics solutions. They manage labor costs, personnel productivity, inventory levels, data accuracy and stocking strategies. They measure and report on the effectiveness of departmental activities and operations. They often create and maintain safety work instructions and standard operating procedures. Supply chain managers establish and adjust work procedures to meet warehouse demands, production schedules, established workflows and safety guidelines. They implement strategies to improve service quality, employee efficiency, equipment performance and interdepartmental communication.
6. Talent Development
Training and developing their staff is the supply chain manager’s responsibility. They must decide what skills or knowledge that must be possessed by their employees. However, before asking the staff to improve new skills, supply chain managers must have more qualified knowledge and skills. When they can be relied on to provide training to their staff, there is no doubt that the company’s performance will increase. So it is mandatory for a supply chain manager to take certification and training for himself first.
Those are the most important responsibilities of supply chain managers that you need to understand. Are you ready to be an excellent supply chain manager ? Start your journey with us here.
