| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Supply Chain |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Head of Supply Chain |
| Direct reports | Supply Chain Analyst, Supply Chain Coordinator |
| Experience | 6 to 10 years across supply chain functions, with team leadership |
Supply Chain Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Supply Chain Manager
Department: Supply Chain
Reports to: Head of Supply Chain
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Supply Chain Manager coordinates the end-to-end flow of materials and products for a site or business unit, across planning, procurement, production support, inventory and logistics. They keep the supply chain running smoothly, own service and cost, and connect the functions so orders are fulfilled on time. The role sits in supply chain operations. A good one keeps products flowing from suppliers to customers reliably, balances service, cost and inventory, coordinates the functions to solve problems fast, and steadily improves how the whole supply chain performs.
Key responsibilities
- Coordinate planning, procurement, inventory and logistics for the site or business unit.
- Own service level and order fulfilment from suppliers through to customers.
- Control supply chain cost across procurement, inventory and logistics.
- Keep inventory balanced to support service without tying up excess cash.
- Coordinate the functions to resolve shortages, delays and demand changes fast.
- Support the sales and operations planning process for the unit.
- Manage key suppliers and logistics partners on service and cost.
- Track supply chain metrics and drive improvement projects across the unit.
- Coordinate with sales, production and finance on supply and orders.
- Lead and develop the supply chain team for the unit.
Requirements
- Degree in supply chain, engineering or commerce
- Experience across supply chain functions
- An MBA or supply chain qualification is an advantage
- 6 to 10 years across supply chain functions, with team leadership
KRAs and KPIs for a Supply Chain Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Order fulfilment | Orders fulfilled on time and in full to the target level |
| Supply chain cost | Supply chain cost for the unit kept within budget |
| Inventory balance | Inventory kept within targets while holding service level |
| Problem resolution | Shortages and disruptions resolved quickly with minimal service impact |
| Improvement | Deliver a set number of improvement projects with measured results |
| Team performance | Supply chain team developed and delivering to targets |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: ERP such as SAP, Supply chain planning tools, MS Excel, Business intelligence dashboards, Warehouse and transport systems.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: General Manager Supply Chain, Head of Supply Chain
Interview questions for a Supply Chain Manager
- How do you coordinate planning, procurement and logistics to fulfil orders on time?
- How do you balance service level, cost and inventory across the supply chain?
- A supplier delay threatens customer orders. How do you handle it?
- How do you find and deliver a supply chain improvement project?
- How do you support the sales and operations planning process?
- How do you keep sales, production and finance aligned on supply?
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What does a supply chain manager do?
A supply chain manager coordinates the end-to-end flow of materials and products for a site or business unit, across planning, procurement, production support, inventory and logistics. They keep the supply chain running smoothly, own service and cost, and connect the functions so orders are fulfilled on time from suppliers through to customers.
What skills does a supply chain manager need?
A supply chain manager needs a broad grasp of planning, procurement, inventory and logistics, plus sales and operations planning and analytics. Leadership and coordination are central, since the role connects functions and teams. Problem solving matters most, because shortages, delays and demand changes hit daily and must be resolved without failing customers.
How do you become a supply chain manager?
Most supply chain managers start in a specific function like planning, procurement, inventory or logistics, then broaden across functions before managing the end-to-end flow. A supply chain, engineering or commerce degree, often with an MBA, is common. Experience across functions and a record of keeping service high at controlled cost earn the role.