Supply Chain Director

What is a supply chain director and how to become one Updated April 25, 2024 6 min read

A supply chain director is an individual responsible for overseeing and managing the entire supply chain process of a company. They are responsible for coordinating logistics, procurement, inventory management, and transportation to ensure products are delivered to customers in a timely manner. A supply chain director also collaborates with suppliers and other departments within the company to optimize the supply chain process. They must have excellent communication skills to effectively manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

How long does it takes to become a supply chain director? It typically takes 7-9 years to become a supply chain director:

• Years 1-4: Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as business, logistics, or supply chain management.
• Years 5-7: Accumulating the necessary work experience in supply chain operations, logistics, or procurement.
• Year 8-9: Gaining additional experience and skills in leadership and team management.

Ability to make a significant impact on the company's bottom line

Opportunity to implement innovative supply chain solutions

High demand for supply chain professionals

Cons

High levels of responsibility and pressure to deliver results

Difficulty in managing relationships with multiple suppliers and partners

Need to stay up-to-date with technology advancements and industry trends

Difficulty in finding and retaining skilled talent in the field

Challenges in aligning supply chain goals with overall business strategy

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How to become a supply chain director in 7 steps:

• Step 1: Explore Education
• Step 2: Develop Skills
• Step 3: Complete Relevant Training
• Step 4: Research Duties
• Step 5: Get Experience
• Step 6: Prepare Your Resume
• Step 7: Apply For Jobs
Supply Chain Director career paths Supply chain directors can pursue various career paths. They can become senior directors, vice presidents, or even presidents and chief executive officers. They can also transition into other roles like global supply chain director, operations vice president, or business development director. Some can also become directors of supply chain operations, global directors, or managing directors.

Supply Chain Manager

Avg Salary $100,414

Operations Director

Avg Salary $104,050

Operations Manager

Avg Salary $76,894

Purchasing Manager

Avg Salary $98,118

Buyer

Avg Salary $54,049

Project Manager

Avg Salary $91,578

Logistics Manager

Avg Salary $74,702

Director, Procurement

Avg Salary $140,058

Senior Manager-Supply Chain Manager

Avg Salary $124,984

Logistics Director

Avg Salary $108,828

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Supply Chain Director

14 years

Director Of Supply Chain Operations

Avg Salary $117,026

Global Supply Chain Director

Avg Salary $139,768

Supply Chain Vice President

Avg Salary $138,019

Senior Director

Avg Salary $152,047

Business Development Director

Avg Salary $117,784

Avg Salary $111,068

Chief Finance Officer

Avg Salary $143,947

Vice President

Avg Salary $158,637

Executive Director

Avg Salary $127,956

Avg Salary $138,906

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Key steps to become a supply chain director Explore supply chain director education requirements The educational requirements for a supply chain director include a bachelor's degree, with 67% holding this level of education. Additionally, 26% have a master's degree. According to Adrian Tan , Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Project and Supply Chain Management at Pennsylvania State University - New Kensington, in the next five years, large organizations will continue investing in data mining efforts to understand supply chain dynamics. Smaller companies may increasingly use cloud computing applications to remain competitive. Governments and certification organizations might invest in blockchain technologies for reliable tracking of goods.

Bachelor's

71.6 %

Master's

19.6 %

Associate

5.5 %

Start to develop specific supply chain director skills A supply chain director's skills include managing supplier relationships, optimizing inventory, and implementing process improvements. They must also negotiate complex deals, develop strategies for supply chain processes, and oversee distribution centers. Additionally, they need to manage employees, monitor key metrics, and collaborate with other teams. They also implement lean manufacturing, continuous process improvement, and strategic sourcing. They must leverage vendor relationships and use analytical skills to mitigate supply chain risks. They must also direct supply chain operations, manage and support business development, and analyze business processes.

Skills

Percentages

Supply Chain 19.72%

Logistics 8.75%

Chain Operations 6.72%

Continuous Improvement 4.64%

Chain Management 4.06%

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Complete relevant supply chain director training and internships Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New supply chain directors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a supply chain director based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real supply chain director resumes.

Research supply chain director duties and responsibilities A supply chain director's responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, optimizing inventory, and implementing process improvements. They develop strategies to increase supply chain efficiency and negotiate with suppliers to reduce costs. They also manage distribution centers, monitor key metrics, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. They may also lead global sourcing and outsourced manufacturing and distribution, or develop and implement process to track consigned inventory.
• Manage the NPI function from sourcing to production in low cost regions.
• Lead DC improvements including cross-docking, order handling automation, re-slotting, bar coding and WMS.
• Manage procurement method (contract, kanban, PO, consignment) as well as stocking/inventory parameters.
• Manage Pluto"( NPI) launch in NA, balancing between factory ramp-up, sales / customer expectations.
Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a supply chain director. The most common roles before becoming a supply chain director include purchasing manager, supply chain manager team lead and material manager. Prepare your supply chain director resume When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your supply chain director resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a supply chain director resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Supply Chain Director Resume templates Build a professional Supply Chain Director resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Now it's time to start searching for a supply chain director job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
• Browse job boards for relevant postings
• Consult your professional network
• Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
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Date Posted

Pangborn Corporation

Remote or Fairburn, GA

Supplier EngineerJob Location: Corporate - Fairburn, GAPosition Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 4 Year Degree - Bachelor's DegreeJob Shift: DayJob Category: Purchasing - ProcurementTravel Percentage: Up to 10% SUPPLIER ENGINEERThis position will have a strong background in fabrication, supplier qualification, and manufacturing operations.Firsthand experience in managing supplier relationships, conducting supplier qualification processes, and optimizing manufacturing processes.This role requires a deep understanding of fabrication techniques, cost estimating, scheduling, and quality control to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality components on time and budget.PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Supplier Relationship Management: Foster and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers.Collaborate closely with suppliers to ensure open communication channels and mutual understanding of expectations, quality standards, and production timelines.Supplier Qualification Management: Lead the supplier qualification process by assessing potential suppliers' capabilities, capacities, and quality systems.Perform on-site audits and evaluations to ensure suppliers meet the company's quality and performance standards.Manufacturing Process Expertise: Apply manufacturing engineering knowledge to assess suppliers' manufacturing processes . click apply for full job details