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.

Did you know that the supply chain management business is booming in Manitoba—and all across Canada? If the answer is no, you're not alone.

This is one of today's most under-rated and unrecognized career paths. In part, because many people aren't sure exactly what supply chain management actually is, or what kinds of jobs they might pursue within this vast field.

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. 

What was the last thing you purchased at a store or online? Electronics, clothing, food? Chances are, whatever you bought, it went through a long and winding supply chain to get from its point of origin into your hands.

Demand for procurement specialists, purchasing agents and officers is steady from coast-to-coast in Canada, according to the latest data from the Canada Job Bank. 

Waves of retirements, a shortage of trained job candidates, and growth in the supply chain industry is creating opportunities for new grads in this role—and in other areas of supply chain management, such as logistics and transportation and materials/inventory sourcing.

Considering heading back to school to earn a supply chain management diploma? Wondering what kinds of career paths you might pursue after training?