Supply chain management has seen considerable change in the last several years, with recent technological advancements prompting both new opportunities and new challenges. In 2019, several trends we've observed in other industries will begin to dominate the supply chain sphere. Many of these trends are expected to improve both efficiency and customer service. Others, however, could be cause for concern. All call for a more flexible approach, in which systems evolve alongside the rapidly shifting market.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics makes the answer clear: the need for skilled professionals is climbing, the median pay is attractive, and you don’t have to have extensive experience to land a great job. In fact, according to the BLS research, a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management is a great springboard to an exciting career.

Maria Schwartz, ’19, knows a thing or two about hard work and dedication. A former baking and pastry student at the Johnson & Wales University campus in North Miami, Florida, Schwartz is now in the process of completing her BSBA – Operations & Supply Chain Management degree online through JWU.

“Everyone is part of the supply chain.”

According to Professor Paul Richardson, DM, PMP, it doesn’t matter what you do or where you work—somewhere, somehow, the supply chain touches you.“I don’t care what organization that you work for,” he said. “You are definitely going to be involved in operations and supply chain management.”

Not quite sure what “logistics” and “supply chain management” are in the career sense? Many aren’t until they realize this industry’s impact has made on nearly every facet of their modern lives. The logistics sector ensures that goods are available to consumers when and where they need them.

“What can I do with a supply-chain management degree?”

When Motorola, Bank of America, and BP Oil needed consultation on how to improve their business systems and quality-control measures, they called Patricia Steiner, EdD. She shared her expertise in process management with those powerhouse companies, and now she shares it with students as an instructor in the Johnson & Wales University College of Online Education.

Today’s global marketplace demands skilled professionals with expertise in operations and supply chain management. Specialized bachelor, master, and MBA degree programs prepare students for this exciting field, but what can you do with a operations and supply chain management degree?

A tight economy demands high performance in all areas, which is why it pays to keep tabs on your inventory, one of your company’s largest investment. How you manage your inventory can be the ticket to soaring profits — or the anchor that pulls you under.