Supply chain management (SCM) has become increasingly important for organizations as the raw materials and the ultimate consumers are miles apart. Goods have to travel miles to finally reach their final destination and often change many hands through the process because of the geographical distances.
Provision of timely delivery is the key behind effective supply chain management, with the onset of resource constraints there has been an increasing reliance on savings costs as well.
SCM enables that all the party concerned which includes the raw material producer, the manufacturer, the wholesaler and the distributor are in sync with each other. Managing time and tracking the progress of the materials is one of the duties of a supply chain manager.
Over time there have been numerous research conducted in the field of SCM, to identify the most effective ways to manage supply chain and one of topic researched upon is what skills are needed to be a successful supply chain manager.
Here are a few pointers that are a summary of what the research results have shown:
1. Data Analysis
Supply chain managers are able to interpret and analyze the vast number of statistics they receive to form interpretations and incorporate them into the firm’s strategy.
This ability allows them to be one step ahead of their counterparts and lead a proactive approach in their day to day workings. Any forecasts and predictions can ultimately provide a solution to the ever-accumulating costs and race against time.
2. Just the Right Amount in the Inventory
If there is too much stock in the inventory it directly translates into costs incurred while having too little of the stock means a lost customer.
Neither case is ideal; therefore a balance needs to be struck between the two. This skill coupled with the correct analysis of data can provide a successful SC.
3. Show the Right Amount of Flexibility
Supply chain is not a one-man show rather it has a line of players which all work together to fulfill their goals.
Hence, flexibility will play a major role in the role of a supply chain manager.
Interconnectivity demands flexibility of the SC to the changes in the market and the political environment.
4. Seamless Order Placement
A successful SC manager must understand the fact that in today’s age of instant gratification the consumers demand a seamless order placement experience.
They realize transportation has not become instant yet but the experience of the order placement should be effortless and without any hurdles.
If this experience is not seamless then they will switch to another SC provider and it will result in the loss of a consumer.
5. Provision of Customization
An SC is simple in its essence that it is the provision of goods from the manufacturer to the suppliers yet the problem arises when there needs to be a customization of the order.
The supplier, distributor, and retailer all may have individual needs or the entire SC may need customization because of a onetime special order.
The aim of customization is to provide ease to the customer and enable any accommodation of the mishaps which happened.
6. Understand the Need to Use Renewable Energy
SC requires transportation and transportation relies on fossil fuel which means that it will ultimately be used up. The successful SC relies on the renewable forms of energy to fuel their vehicles.
This differentiates the ordinary SC from the successful ones and they are not only able to lower their costs but also give back to the environment.
7. Understanding the Laws
SC needs to maneuver through a maze of laws and regulations to ensure compliance.
The common perception is that a good SC manager is able to dodge the law and fulfil the order yet that is a short term gain in exchange for a long term intensive loss.
There are state and local laws which would need to be considered in order to maintain the credibility of the firm.
8. Invest in Planning
The best SC managers never leave anything for chance, anything or factor that follows under domain and which can be controlled shall be planned for. That’s the motto they live by and this planning lets them become efficient at their jobs.
9. The Lead by Example
The SC managers have an array of people looking up to them which can mean they must exhibit strong leadership qualities.
They demonstrate the same skills as a leader would ensure the loyalty of their subordinates.
10. Striking a Balance Between Taking a Risk and Being Vary
Risk takers often take all the credit but those who rightly varied at the right times have also done miracles for firms. Thus the best managers are those who have learnt to strike a balance between taking a risk and knowing when to hold to back.
11. Understanding Business Strategy
They understand the bigger picture and the company’s strategy which reflects in their everyday work style.
If a firm delivers orders from the top to bottom then they are likely to understand the strategic implications and how they can implement them better in their operations.
12. Having the Ability to Make Decisions
Decision-making skills are essential for SC managers to possess as they encounter many situations in which a quick decision would have to be made.
This ability allows them to save resources and ensure the operations never continue to function.
13. Have a Sense of Accountability
The easiest thing is to blame others for any mishap but the best SC manager has a sense of accountability to which makes them accountable for all their actions. This means their credibility is twofold in comparison to their counterparts.
14. They Understand the Power of Networking
They are on top of trends and network using social media to ensure their presence is felt. They are also able to whizz up quick solutions to any problems they may encounter.
15. Have Ethical Standards
They have a moral code of conduct which they stick by and never look for shortcuts to solve their problems. The word spreads within the industry that the manager is an upholder of ethics which increases credibility and encourages trust.
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