The global economy depends on getting products from point A to point B in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective way. That’s why people who specialize in supply chain management are in such high demand.

In a survey by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), almost two-thirds of Canadian supply chain professionals landed their current position within three months of starting their search. What’s more, most of those individuals enjoy their work: in a separate survey by ASCM and Supply Chain Canada, 69 per cent of respondents were happy with their jobs, rating their satisfaction at least eight on a scale of one to 10.

Think this field might be right for you? Not sure about how to begin? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to start a career in supply chain management.

For many years, supply chain professionals focused on cost containment and operational efficiency.

Globalization was the name of the game, and raw materials and finished goods moved freely across international borders.

But then COVID-19 brought border closures, factory shutdowns, material shortages, shipping delays, and changing consumer habits.

The pandemic has laid bare the complexity—and fragility—of the global supply chain. It clearly showed that the system was ill-equipped to deal with massive disruptions in both supply and demand.

So, going forward, how will companies adapt? What does the future of global supply chain management look like?

Here’s how the next five to 10 years may shape up.

Hoping for a short route to an in-demand job in the business sector? You're in luck.

Plenty of business careers come with impressive employment outlooks and do not require years of university training.

In fact, in just 12 months or less, you can be prepared to work as an administrative assistant, office manager, procurement officer, health and safety officer, or accounting and payroll administrator.

Every one of those roles is expected to see double-digit growth across Manitoba in the next few years.

Read on to get details on these 5 business careers and see which path appeals to you.

Every product you see on a store shelf or online took a long and winding journey through a supply chain.

Before a single pair of jeans can end up in your closet, for instance, it must go through a complex process of material sourcing, production, warehousing, and distribution.

Supply chain management is about coordinating each step of that process. Supply chain training teaches you how to do that, so your employer can save money and serve customers better.

Students learn what it takes to get a product from point of origin to point of consumption, including how to solve challenges, deal with clients, negotiate with suppliers, organize warehousing, transportation logistics, etc.

Supply chain degree programs are available, but this post focuses on a quicker path to employment—a supply chain diploma.

Diplomas are built around the practical skills you need to get started in the industry.

So what exactly will you learn in a supply chain diploma program? Here are 5 key areas covered in class.

Supply chain management is a vast field. Think about the process a single piece of clothing or technology goes through, from point of origin to your local store shelf. 

There are raw materials to source, a manufacturing process, warehousing, distribution, global transportation logistics, and local delivery networks.  

At each stage, there are contracts to be made, negotiations, problem-solving, costs to manage, orders to track, and clients to update. 

Supply chain management is a highly complex, global industry with many areas of specialization and potential career paths. 

Photo: Supply chain coordinators at a freight transportation and distribution warehouse

Updated June 2021.

Perhaps a more accurate title for this blog post would be: “Is Supply Chain Management a Good Career Choice...For You.” 

Because “good” is obviously a relative term and there's no easy answer.

Some people choose a career based on demand and salary. Others are looking for a challenge or something they really feel passionate about.

In some cases, fast training is the top priority.

It really depends on how you define "good" and what's important to you.

So, in this post we’re covering all the bases.

We’ll break down how the supply chain industry works, training programs, career options, certifications, advancement opportunities, salaries, and required skills. 

Is supply chain management the right career for you? These are the 6 points you should consider when making your decision.

William Rapisarda teaches the online Supply Chain Management program at Herzing, and is an Associate Category Manager with Cabela's Canada

We started offering a Supply Chain Management program at Herzing a couple of years ago, when we saw big demand in the field across Manitoba.

But the truth is, not many people are aware of how fast this industry is growing...or what supply chain management even is!

We got so many questions about the training, career path, and job options that we decided to bring in an expert to answer them.

Who better to ask than William Rapisarda? He teaches the Supply Chain Management program at Herzing and has been working in the field for almost 25 years.

When we asked who would be the best person to advise students considering supply chain careers in Manitoba, Rick Reid was the obvious choice.

Rick is the Executive Director of the Supply Chain Management Association of Manitoba (SCMA MB).

The SCMA is Canada’s largest association for supply chain management professionals, with regional offices all across the country. To date, the Association represents 7,500 members working in sourcing, procurement, logistics, inventory, and contract management.