Supply Chain Manager - Career Guide

The duties of a supply chain manager are varied, but they all share the same objective: improving the supply chain by balancing delivery times, costs, and service quality. Their responsibilities typically include:

• Auditing supply chain processes to identify areas for improvement and optimization
• Defining and designing short-, medium- and long-term operational objectives
• Implementing logistics innovations aligned with the company’s strategy
• Coordinating external and internal supply chain stakeholders
• Using management tools to monitor, analyze, and process quantitative data
• Strengthening supplier relationships and establishing efficient communication channels with external partners
• Developing a “green supply chain” by integrating CSR initiatives
• Anticipating risks and proposing solutions to adapt quickly to market changes

Supply chain managers hold a central, cross-functional position within organizations, acting as the link between operational teams and senior management. Their expertise is crucial for shaping strategic decisions, particularly those involving logistics investments, supply chain resilience, and process optimization. Because of their 360-degree view of operations, their recommendations often guide management in balancing cost efficiency with service quality.

In practice, supply chain managers coordinate a wide range of departments, from purchasing and production to sales, marketing, and logistics. They spend part of their time in the field, supervising warehouses, production sites, and distribution centers, and part of it in the office, where they analyze dashboards, monitor KPIs, and prepare reports for leadership. This dual presence allows them to combine hands-on operational oversight with data-driven strategic planning.

Within a multinational or international company, the supply chain manager may have to travel abroad frequently, for example to audit a site or negotiate with a supplier.

As France Compétences points out, to become a supply chain manager, you need to have a five-year degree. You can consider studying at a business school, engineering school or university.

Start with a three-year degree:

After completing your secondary education, specialized and management courses are recommended. Here are a few examples:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Development

• BUT MLT (Logistics and Transport Management)
• BTS in Transport and Logistics Services

Continue with a five-year degree:

Several master’s degrees provide access to employment, including specialized degrees in logistics, production management and purchasing.

Certain programmes are particularly valued by recruiters, notably Master of Science degrees, which are recognized for their international dimension and the acquisition of professional English.

To train future supply chain managers, ISC Paris has designed the MSc Supply Chain Management, available as a regular track (two years) or fast track (one year). This programme, recognized in France and internationally, is offered as an initial or work-study programme, allowing students to gain professional experience that is a real asset on their CV.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) occupies a strategic position within large companies. Their role is to ensure the commercial development of the organization through optimal logistics flows.

The Import/Export Director or Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating a company’s international goods flows. They are responsible for managing and supervising all aspects of the import and export strategy of the organization in which they work.