The global population needs a constant supply of goods and services. To respond to these demands in a way that is cost-effective and time-sensitive requires the skilled input of supply chain practitioners: professionals and leaders who can apply logistical planning strategies, troubleshoot problems, and provide support throughout the global and domestic trade networks. Within this program, students prepare for rewarding careers in supply chain management and logistics, as they develop specialized technical knowledge and skills through practical learning activities, simulations, and guest speakers. Students gain global supply chain competencies by examining the connections between strategic objectives, stakeholder expectations, and supply chain design, functions, processes, and roles.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared to work in a broad range of domestic and international employment settings within the supply chain. Career options include positions in manufacturing, operations, procurement, planning, inventory management, logistics, transportation, materials handling, warehousing, importing and exporting, freight forwarding, third- and fourth-party logistics providers, and customer service.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. examine the connections between strategic objectives, stakeholder expectations, and supply chain design, functions, processes and roles, to guide decision-making, problem-solving and coordination of tasks;

2. determine the value added and financial implications of supply chain decisions and design on overall business profitability, efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction;

3. ensure supply chain activities and transactions are compliant with relevant legal, regulatory and contractual obligations, and industry and organization standards and policies for quality, health, safety, accountability, social and environmental responsibility;

4. use risk mitigation tools and strategies to inform supply chain management decisions;

5. contribute to the acquisition and sale of goods, services and materials in accordance with best practices and public and private sector stakeholder expectations across a variety of industries;

6. contribute to the strategic planning and scheduling of material requirements, resource allocation and inventory for efficient production and fulfillment of customer orders and returns;

7. coordinate the efficient handling and movement of goods, services, materials and related information within and between supply chains;

8. contribute to the identification and management of continuous improvements to functions and processes within and between supply chains;

9. use available technologies to enhance work performance and support supply chain functions, processes, transactions and communications;

10. monitor relevant trends, emerging technologies, and local and global economic, political and environmental issues to enhance work performance and guide management decisions;

11. use leadership and communication skills to establish and manage strategic relationships with a diversity of stakeholders and support the achievement of business goals;

12. develop and apply ongoing strategies for personal, career and professional development;

13. assess vulnerabilities in the global supply chain to plan for and mitigate major disruptive events;

14. apply innovative management strategies to solve global supply chain challenges and respond to new opportunities within and between supply chains.