What is Supply Chain Management?
Supply chain management refers to the proper oversight and handling of goods or products in a business from the time of manufacturing till the time of purchasing by a consumer. This oversight process of supply chain management includes the planning, sourcing and operations of the manufacturing processes within businesses. To put it simply, supply chain management is the process and oversight of logistics of the production process in a business.
Courses in the field of supply chain management thus, aim to teach students about this oversight process in an organization and how students can be efficient while doing so. Students in courses about supply chain management deal with tasks such as cost-cutting, efficiency, communication and oversight of suppliers, manufacturers and retailers.
Those completing a course in the field of supply chain management can expect to pursue jobs such as logistics managers, supply chain analysts and data analysts earning salaries up to INR 20 lakhs per annum.
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Supply Chain Management Course Highlights:
The table below showcases what courses, jobs and salaries students can look into pursuing amongst other important facts -
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Types of Supply Chain Management Courses?
There are numerous courses within the field of supply chain management that students can use to break into the field, regardless of their standard of education. The types of supply chain management courses can be listed as followed:
- Online Courses
- Bachelors/ Undergraduate Courses
- Masters Courses
- Postgraduate Diplomas
- Phd Courses
Depending on the level of education, the cost of pursuing a program in supply chain management may vary. However, generally students part of a supply chain management course can expect to study subjects such as business research, export and important management, research methods, logistical planning, project management and financial management amongst a rich library of other subject that aim to enhance a student’s knowledge when it comes to dealing with the logistical and planning side of businesses and organizations.
Also depending on the type of course for the supply chain management program, the fees paid by aspirants and students may vary as well. However, generally most fees for the supply chain management course, regardless of educational level, ranges between INR 3,000 to 5 lakhs per annum in India. The fee costs for universities abroad however, may vary depending on the country, university and costs of living abroad as well.
1. Supply Chain Management Online Courses
Online certificate courses for the field of supply chain management aim to help provide a stronger base for professionals already working in the field or are looking to break into the field without committing to a full-time university degree. Some of these courses and their respective details can be found in the table below:
2. Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Courses
Students after completing their 12th, can look to pursue the Supply Chain Management course as a part of their undergraduate or bachelors. Numerous universities in India offer undergrad courses in the field of Supply Chain Management. The table below showcases the types of undergraduate courses students may pursue to gain knowledge in the field of Supply Chain Management along with course duration and the average fees:
After the completion of their undergraduate degrees in the Supply Chain Management course, most students can either opt to pursue a master's degree or aim to pursue jobs as freshers. The average fresher salary for those professionals entering into the field begins around INR 2-12 lakhs per annum. However, with better scores, qualifications and more experience students may have opportunities to start earning INR 20 lakhs per annum at an undergraduate level as well.
Read - List of Top Diploma Courses: Types, Eligibility, & Admission Process
3. Supply Chain Management Postgraduate Courses
At a postgraduate level, students can expect even better opportunities during and after the Supply Chain Postgraduate program. These courses mainly aim to further strengthen the existing knowledge, principles and foundations students have of the field of logistics. Postgraduate Supply Chain Management courses are for the duration of 2 years and deal with courses such as Strategic Management, Managerial Economics or New Product Development.
The table below lists out the postgraduate courses for the field of Supply Chain Management:
Supply Chain Management Scope
Before looking further, students and professionals alike need to understand the positives of working in the field of supply management and logistics. The field as it is, is brimming with opportunities for students to undertake.
- Logistical management is imperative for any organization to be able to function properly efficiently and without any problems. The insurance of smooth functioning depends on those working in the logistics department.
- The field of Supply Chain Management also offers well-paying jobs in a variety of different sectors and jobs. The field also has well paying salary options in both the public and private sectors that most students and professionals will find attractive with average salaries ranging between INR 8-12 lakhs per annum.
- Supply Chain and Logistical Management also are highly in demand both domestically in India as well as by companies and organizations abroad. This essentially increases the number of opportunities for aspirants.
Supply Chain Management Fields
As stated, there are numerous fields that make up the logistics and supply chain management departments in an organization. Due to the various steps involved in the management process, it is good for students and professionals to know what area or aspect of supply chain management that they intend to work within.
The following are some of those fields:
Skills Required for Supply Chain Management
Aspirants looking to break into the field of Supply Chain Management should have a handful of skills under their belt. If not, before pursuing courses that are relevant to the field, they can always work to improve in this area to be well-equipped for the challenges such as the field holds for them.
Some these skills include:
- Negotiation Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Communication
- Project Management
- Cooperation
- Problem Solving and Conflict Management
- Technical Skills
- Time Management
Eligibility Criteria for Supply Chain Management Courses
The eligibility criteria for the Supply Chain Management courses may vary depending on a student’s educational level. However, the following are some general points of eligibility students have to meet depending on which course they aim to apply for the Supply Chain Management Course.
1. Eligibility Criteria for Certificate/ Diploma Supply Chain Management Courses
- Students must have completed their high-school 10+2 academics from any recognised institution and from any educational background (Commerce, Science or Humanities) with a minimum score between 50% - 60%.
2. Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Supply Chain Management Courses
- Students must have completed their 10+2 from any recognised institution.
- Students must have earned a minimum score of 50% from any educational background or stream to be considered eligible.
- Students must clear the designated entrance exam (e.g. CUET) if required by their applied university of choice.
3. Eligibility Criteria for Postgraduate Supply Chain Management Courses
- Students looking to apply for the MBA or PGDM SCM courses must have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
- Aspirants must also have attained between 45%-60% score in their undergraduate to be considered eligible by most universities for the Supply Chain Management postgrad programs.
- If applicable, students must clear designated entrance exams and meet the required cutoff criteria or rank to be considered eligible.
Supply Chain Management Course Top Colleges in India
Depending on the type of course and the educational level, the college and the fees for the courses in the field of Supply Chain Management may differ. However, generally the fees for most universities range between INR 35,000 to INR 11 lakhs depending on the course and educational level. This section details the colleges and programs students can apply for depending on their educational level.
Top Undergraduate Supply Chain Management Colleges in India -
Top Postgraduate Supply Chain Management Courses India -
Supply Chain Management Courses Top Colleges Abroad
As mentioned, the large scope of doing courses in Supply Chain Management allows students to have opportunities to gain opportunities abroad. Students looking to go abroad for the Supply Chain Management course can look into applying for the following universities:
Supply Chain Management Course Syllabus and Subjects
The syllabus for the course, course structure and syllabus of Supply Chain Management may differ depending upon the type of course a student is aiming for. Some of the subjects that students may expect to be a part of the Supply Chain or Logistics Management courses include the likes of business communication, statistics, logistical management and more.
Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Syllabus and Subjects
The table below consists of a year-wise breakdown of some subjects students can expect to be part of their Supply Chain Management syllabus across the 6 semesters of the program in India. Within the syllabus of BBA or BCom Supply Chain Management courses, students can expect to undertake project work and internships as well for understanding the practical applications of what they learn within a classroom. Students will also have opportunities to take up electives according to their interests or goals.
The following is the syllabus for the undergraduate Supply Chain Management course:
Supply Chain Management Course 1st Year -
Supply Chain Management Course 2nd Year -
Supply Chain Management Course 3rd Year -
Supply Chain Management Postgraduate Courses Syllabus and Subjects
The postgraduate programs (MBA, PGDM) for the Supply Chain Management programs retain some subjects from the undergraduates, however, with more depth and specialization scope as well as more technicality. Students can expect to undertake vivas, core courses, electives and internships as part of the course.
The following table is a break down of the syllabus students can expect to cover when pursuing an MBA in the field of Supply Chain Management:
Supply Chain Management Course 1st Year -
Supply Chain Management Course 2nd Year -
Supply Chain Management Jobs, Salaries and Top Recruiters
There are various aspects of supply chain management that graduates from the Supply Chain Management course can find themselves within. However, regardless of educational qualification, experience or interest, there is a lot of potential in the field for students to find well-paying and fulfilling careers. The table below lists out some jobs that students can aspire to pursue along with the average salary per year -
Supply Chain Management Job Details -
- Logistics Manager: Responsible for the oversight of goods within organizations. Ensure that the supply process runs smoothly overall.
- Operations Manager: Overlook the day-to-day operations of a business’ supply process and ensure compliance of industrial standards of quality and safety.
- Warehouse Manager: Bears the responsibilities to overlook a business’ warehouse operations in particular such as supervising staff, ensuring safety, overseeing the maintenance of records and such.
- Data Analyst: Collects and analyzes data of the logistics process and identifies key areas for change and improvement.
- Supply Chain Analyst: These analysts are similar to data analysts but oversee the entire operation, help in risk assessment as well as contribute more to better implementations of changes to the overall supply chain. They also implement modern-technology to ensure automation and cost-cutting where needed or required.
Supply Chain Management Top Recruiters
The following organizations listed below are some of the top recruiters for the field of Supply Chain Management:
- Amazon
- Flipkart
- Wipro
- Deloitte
- Maruti Suzuki
- Reliance Industries
- Tata Consultancies
- Mahindra
- IBM
- Ranbaxy
- Genpact
- Pepsico
Related read - BBA vs BCom: What to choose After 12th?
