Supply Chain Management Major
This is how shredded mozzarella tops your favorite frozen pizza.
Supply Chain Management is a three-word title for professionals who seek and source all the “supplies” needed to make a product and get it to market. And it’s called a chain because all the people and companies involved in the process are linked like a chain. From extracting the gold, silver and copper needed for components to the online ordering system that allows you to purchase the phone from the distribution system that gets the phone delivered to your door to the box and packaging the phone arrives in, all of this entails the supply chain. As a UNI Supply Chain Management major, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of these steps, how to maintain product quality, how to make it efficiently and work with a variety of people and companies to make it right. If you like the idea of being a critical part of making products or ideas come to life, this is the career for you.
Median
Salary
According to the Association for Supply Chain Management (2020).
Job
Growth
Over the next 10 years (STAMATS 2021).
Career
Placement
Our supply chain graduates are prepared to meet the growing demand for supply chain professionals. Our graduates often receive multiple job offers. (2019)
Find out More About Supply Chain Management
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Supply Chain is a $1.3 trillion industry
As a supply chain manager, you’ll oversee the flow of materials, information, and finances from suppliers, and, ultimately, getting the product into the hands of consumers. It involves strong analytical skills, seeing ahead and connecting the dots, resourcefulness and looking for efficiencies, plus strong communication and collaboration between many different people and companies throughout the process; they’re collectively known as the supply chain.
The need for Supply Chain Management graduates has been increasing across the globe. Many companies depend on supply chain managers to help create net value by improving efficiency inside and outside of the company. The responsibilities of a supply chain manager include everything from product development, sourcing, production, and logistics to the information systems needed to coordinate these activities.
Career Placement
Over the last five years, 90 – 100% of UNI Supply Chain graduates found jobs within six months of graduation. Many students have jobs lined up before they graduate.
The average starting salary for supply chain management graduates is around $58,000 with median mid-career salaries of over $100,000. Examples of mid-career salaries include:
- Supply Chain Manager - $110,630
- Purchasing Manager - $121,110
- Logistician - $76,270
- Logistics Manager - $94,560
- U.S. Six Sigma Black Belt - $95,148**
- Operations Manager - $100,780
Supply Chain Careers
According to the Harvard Business Review (2018) “The U.S. supply chain contains 37% of all jobs, employing 44 million people. These jobs have significantly higher than average wages, and account for much of the innovative activity in the economy.” Logistics giant DHL reports that demand for supply chain professionals exceeds supply by 6:1, and some estimating by as much as 9:1. This says there is clear demand for supply chain professionals and you can take advantage of that demand.
- Some of the careers in high demand include:
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Purchasing Agent
- Purchasing Manager
- Global Commodities Director
- Material Flow Coordinator
- Strategic Sourcing Manager
- Logistics Manager
- Storage and Distribution Manager
Supply Chain Courses
The demand for supply chain professionals has never been stronger. UNI’s Supply Chain Management major prepares students for the global challenges of supply chain management. Students build deep knowledge through coursework and practical application. It’s no wonder UNI is the best business school for earning your supply chain degree.
Supply chain management courses and electives:
- Operations Management
- Supply Chain and Purchasing
- Distribution and Logistics
- Global Strategic Supply Management
- Supply Chain Modeling and Analytics
- Services Operations Management
- Six Sigma and Lean Consulting Methodology
- Project Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Dynamics of Negotiation
- Location Analysis for Business
- Applied Writing: Technical Communication
- International Management
Get Six Sigma Certified
Six Sigma is the perfect compliment to a supply chain management degree and is a set of management tools designed to improve business processes, with the goals of reducing process variation, improving quality, eliminating waste, improving speed and efficiency, and saving time.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a study abroad program to earn Six Sigma certification. The program begins with on-campus classes during the spring semester. It concludes with a Six Sigma Green Belt pre-certification exam before jumping the pond to Ireland or Italy for a six-week internship.
Top Employers
Our graduates are in demand! Whether you want to be a logistics manager for an international business or purchasing agent for a major retailer, you’ll be getting the business knowledge and professional skills to succeed at UNI’s College of Business.
Here are a few of the companies where our supply chain management alumni work:
- Amazon
- CBE Companies
- Collins Aerospace
- Enterprise
- Hormel Foods
- Hybrid Transit
- John Deere
- Kelly Services
- Menards
- Target Distribution
- Wells Fargo
Beyond the Classroom
Shape your leadership skills and have some fun by joining a student organization.
The University of Northern Iowa Supply Chain Management Association is the premier student organization for supply chain management students and is well-respected by business professionals across the Midwest. As a UNI SCMA member, you’ll have access to the latest career information, attend networking events with potential employers or recruiters and increase your social interaction with other students who are pursuing careers in supply chain management.
The University of Northern Iowa Global Business Club is the premier student organization for all business students and is well-respected by business professionals across the Midwest. As a Global Business Club member, you’ll have access to the latest information about global business issues, attend networking events with business students from all around the world, and increase your knowledge on the global business environment.