In-Demand Supply Chain Management Skills to Boost Your Resume in 2024

Supply chain management is a growing industry on track to rise 18 percent between 2022 and 2032 [1]. That's much faster than the average career in the United States, partly because of the rise in e-commerce businesses in recent years. Many companies have supply chains to manage, and this is helping to create supply chain management roles with a competitive salary [1]. 

If you're considering taking one of the 38,300 logistician jobs expected to open through 2032, now is an excellent time to develop the skills you need to succeed in a supply chain management career [1]. Read on to explore skills to include on a supply chain management resume and tips for showcasing your skills on applications and during job interviews.

Read more: Supply Chain Management: Definition, Jobs, Salary, and More

What is supply chain management?

Supply chain management is the act of overseeing the process of supplying goods and services to customers, from the initial stages of purchasing raw materials to shipping the final product. This takes on many shapes and stages, depending on the business and what it supplies. 

Read more: What Does a Supply Chain Manager Do? (And How to Become One)

7 essential supply chain management skills 

Keeping a supply chain functioning optimally requires a combination of skills, including forecasting to predict customer demand and customer service to ensure their needs are met. The following skills can help you build relationships, monitor supplies, streamline processes, and improve the company's profitability.

1. Negotiating

A big part of managing a supply chain is negotiating with suppliers, vendors, and other parties to secure the best product and material prices, time scales, and profit margins. One way to hone your negotiating skills is by planning and implementing an effective negotiation process. This allows you to practice managing tension so you develop and maintain a positive relationship with third parties. You also may find it helpful to practice your negotiation skills by role-playing real-world scenarios with colleagues.

2. Accounting and budget management

A supply chain manager must keep on top of costs to make sure financial targets are met, and the business turns a profit. To do this, you set budgets, keep accounts to track profits and waste costs, and ensure you purchase products and materials at a price that gives a good profit margin. Being able to demonstrate that you know how to budget and manage accounts is an important part of securing a role as a supply chain manager.

Read more: What Is Management Accounting? Jobs, Skills, Salary, Education

3. Economics

Managers of all types must have a good basic understanding of economics to be effective and competitive. You'll need to keep up with industry trends to stay ahead of market demands and meet customer needs. You can do this by discussing the current market with other professionals in your industry, reading industry websites and publications regularly, and even keeping up with the general news daily. 

4. Logistics

To work in supply chain management, you must demonstrate your understanding of logistics. Logistics relates to coordinating the movement and storage of goods and often involves analyzing data to maximize profit. You can make your organization's supply chain more efficient by using analytical thinking and technology tools.

5. Communication

Because supply chain management is a collaborative role, communication skills are essential. You're often responsible for providing information for your vendors, customers, and colleagues. This often means explaining complex processes so that anyone can understand them. 

You'll want excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills, group discussions, and one-on-one conversations.

Read more: What Is Effective Communication? Skills for Work, School, and Life

6. Decision-making

Management roles are responsible for making important decisions, and supply chain management is no exception. The role involves making big decisions that can impact the entire business, and you need excellent problem-solving skills to support the decision-making process. Using available data, you'll also need to make quick decisions. Developing good decision-making skills in this role involves:

• Identifying supply chain problems

• Thinking of potential solutions

• Analyzing data

• Considering laws and regulations

• Paying attention to competing priorities

• Collaborating with colleagues, stakeholders, and third parties

7. Time management

Managing supply chains requires someone who is organized, efficient, and has excellent time management skills. With various processes involved, you must manage your time well, know how to prioritize, and keep deadlines. It's also important to ensure products arrive within a specified timeframe, which incorporates logistics as well. Setting goals and breaking large tasks into smaller ones will help you achieve this.

How to gain or improve supply chain management skills

You can develop and refine supply chain management skills through work experience and education. Consider the following options whether you're preparing for a career in supply chain management or preparing to advance in your current role.

Experience

Working in supply chain management is a practical way to develop your skills. Consider an entry-level role or internship, such as the following:

• Logistics clerk

• Warehouse operator

• Packing associate

• Customer support representative

• Purchasing agent

In these roles, you can learn how to prepare shipments, maintain records, and more. You might also gain experience through serving in the military. 

Certifications 

To help yourself stand out and gain recognition for the new skills you’ve learned, consider earning an industry-related certification from a professional organization like the Association for Supply Chain Management and the International Society of Logistics. You may consider the following:

• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

• Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD)

• Certified Professional Logistician (CPL)

• Certified Master Logistician (CML)

Read more: Obtaining the Proper Supply Chain Certifications

Degrees

To become a supply chain manager, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a field like supply chain or business administration. While an employer may not require a master's degree, earning one can help improve your skills, help you better understand the industry, and possibly set you apart from the competition when applying for a job. Some employers may accept relevant work experience in place of a degree. 

How to demonstrate your skills during the application process

Once you develop the skills you need to apply for supply chain management positions, it’s important to understand how to promote them on your resume and during interviews. Identifying your supply chain management qualifications and providing examples from your experience is key.

Supply chain management resume tips

Before you write your resume, check the job description for all the essential skills listed. Focus on adding these to your resume. Using the summary section, a dedicated skills section, and your experience section, highlight these skills using examples of what you have achieved in the process. 

Supply chain management interview tips

Prepare for your interview by searching for examples of typical supply chain management questions and practicing your answers. You also may find it beneficial to use the keywords you’ve pulled out of job descriptions for your resume and think of examples from your experience that demonstrate these skills. 

Always remember to do some research on the company so you can demonstrate that you align with its culture and values. Make sure you dress appropriately for your interview, even virtual. Look at the company's website or reach out to your network to understand how people in that industry dress. 

Read more: How to Prepare for an Interview

Getting started with Coursera

The need for supply chain professionals is on the rise. Developing essential skills like negotiating, accounting, and decision-making can help you prepare for one of the many anticipated job openings in this field.

You can build your qualifications through an online program, such as the Supply Chain Management Specialization offered by Rutgers University on Coursera. This course guides you through logistics, operations, planning, and sourcing concepts. If you prefer starting with more foundational topics like transportation and inventory management, consider Rutgers' Supply Chain Logistics.