Operations and Supply Chain Management
Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM) includes a broad area that covers both manufacturing and service industries, involving the functions of sourcing, materials management, operations planning, distribution, logistics, retail, demand forecasting, order fulfillment, and more.
It covers everything along the path goods travel from suppliers to eventual consumers.
Every environment from government to banks to schools to hospitals either consumes or sells items, and they need raw materials or product with which to work.
A supply chain is involved in processing or using these materials or even providing services to customers using these materials. Professionals in these fields also work with processes and increasing efficiencies with processes. Operations and supply chain professionals have a place in all of these environments.
Consider environments where there are large volumes of movement; movement of people, product, raw material, data, money or consumers. This occurs in almost any environment and any industry.
Learn more about working in supply chains from our alumni and partners such as Sudhir Holla, MBA'17, Senior Supply Chain Management Specialist at Walmart eCommerce. Holla has seven years of multinational corporation experience in supply chain operations, marketing, IT and healthcare and now manages the end-to-end supply chain for SKUs generating more than $75M in revenue annually for at Walmart eCommerce. Access his Power Chat (and more) in BizLink – Document Library.
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What is Logistics?
Logistics management is that part of supply chain management that plans, implements, and controls the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet customers' requirements.
Logistics management activities typically include inbound and outbound transportation management, fleet management, warehousing, materials handling, order fulfillment, logistics network design, inventory management, supply/demand planning, and management of third-party logistics services providers. To varying degrees, the logistics function also includes sourcing and procurement, production planning and scheduling, packaging and assembly, and customer service. It is involved in all levels of planning and execution--strategic, operational and tactical.
Logistics management is an integrating function, which coordinates and optimizes all logistics activities, as well as integrates logistics activities with other functions including marketing, sales manufacturing, finance, and information technology.
Source: Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
Typical Careers
In the supply chain, there are various roles responsible for getting products to customers, from raw material to consumption.
In Manufacturing and Operations: Sourcing, Procurement, Buying and Planning. Titles include Purchasing Agents, Schedulers, Customs Brokers, Buyers, Contract Administrators, Materials Analyst, Foreman, Production Manager, and upwards to more senior roles.
In Logistics and Transportation and Warehousing: Inventory Planner, Logistics Analyst, Logistics Manager, Receiving Coordinator, up through senior level roles.
Supply Chain and Operations careers exist in more than manufacturing. You can find relevant work in all industries where processes are important and products or material is moved, i.e. healthcare, banking, education, government, military, consulting, airlines, entertainment, nonprofit, retail, energy, and of course, the freight and third party logistics industry.
Professional Organizations
- UB Supply Chain and Operations Club: This is a School of Management student club.
- American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS): A source of solutions, support and networking with local chapters, workshops, symposia and the annual conference.
- American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) - Buffalo Chapter: This is the local chapter of the national APICS organization.
- Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
- Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
- Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences
- Manufacturing Council - Buffalo Niagara Partnership
- Association for Quality
- Distribution Business Management Association
- International Warehouse Logistics Association
- International Federation of Warehousing & Logistics Associations
- American Logistics Association
- Distribution Business Management Association
Required Skills for Success
- Communication and negotiation
- Organization and time management
- Teamwork
- Customer focus
- Process orientation
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thinking and analytical skills
- Foreign language skills are increasingly important
- Technical skills (i.e. Excel, ERP systems)
- Forecasting and planning
- Mechanical and spatial ability
- Quantitative and financial understanding
Certifications
- CPIM: Certified Production and Inventory Management (through APICS)
- CSCP: Certified Supply Chain Professional (through APICS)
- CFPIM: Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management (through APICS)
- CPSM: Certified Professional in Supply Management (through ISM)
- CPSD: Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity(through ISM)
- Six Sigma, White, Yellow, Green and Black Belt, focuses on Lean, quality, problem solving and leadership
- PMP: Project Management Professional
Helpful Resources
- Supply Chain Manager vs. Operations Manager
- Webinars on Careers in Supply Chains & Operations, Working in Supply Chain Management (via BizLink)
- Explore Supply Chain Management and Logistics Careers
Academics
To learn more about the Supply Chains and Operations Management areas and courses included within the concentration or program, please refer to the academic curriculum.