No, not if you develop your soft skills and learn how to use the technology to do your job better, faster, and cheaper (with a focus on strategic issues). My first SCM job was very tactical and has been replaced by technology and automation. Over half of our SCM students also minor in Business Analytics (e.g., big data/analytics, database management, data mining, project management, SQL, Python, PMO, Tableau, Power BI). We try to not only teach them how to use the technology, but also create the technology. Also, we gradually shifted our curriculum towards developing strategic skill sets (rather than tactical) combined with soft skills (i.e., problem solving, leadership, negotiation, project management, etc.).

Others include: 1) Gather and organize information about the problem to be solved or the procedure to be improved. 2) Interview personnel and conduct onsite observations to determine the methods, equipment, and personnel that will be needed. 3) Analyze financial and other data, including revenue, expenditure, and employment reports. 4) Develop solutions or alternative practices. 5) Recommend new systems, procedures, or organizational changes 6) Make recommendations to management through presentations or written reports. 7) Confer with managers to ensure changes are working.

So, future SCM managers will need to become consultants to their own organization. They in essence will evolve into management analysts in a niche area (SCM), but they will also need a strong general business acumen. Note, employment of management analysts is projected to grow 14 percent from 2020 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The average growth rate for all occupations is 5 percent. Demand for the services of these workers should grow as organizations continue to seek ways to improve efficiency and control costs (SCM centered, not always, but often enough to justify majoring in it). The median annual wage for these types of skill sets was $83,610 in 2018. The median annual wage for all workers was $38,640. Point very well taken though, use/create the technology to do your job better or the technology will take your job.

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Sell your soft skills. Note skill sets required of supply chain professionals: Solid skills required in future supply chain managers include:

Project management, Technical understanding, Cost accounting skills, Ability to understand financial statements, Understanding of e-business / e-procurement systems, Troubleshooting, problem solving, Understanding of cross-cultural / global issues, Business ethics, Understanding of the legal issues involved in managing contracts

Soft skills and personality attributes required in future supply managers include:

Ability to communicate effectively through presentations, email, one-on-one, and team discussion, Ability to logically organize thoughts, Ability as a natural facilitator to enable team-based decisions, Time management Leadership Understanding of customer’s expectations, Vision – creating the environment, Desire to learn, Ability to present oneself with confidence, Ability to think on one’s feet, Ability to pass on knowledge and mentoring

Please reach out for more information. Thank you. Sime

Sample Lectures & Should You Major in Supply Chain Management?

https://wmich.edu/supplychain/academics/lectures

Dr. Sime (Sheema) Curkovic, Ph.D., Professor, Operations/Supply Chain
Western Michigan University, Haworth College of Business

E-Mail: sime.curkovic@wmich.edu
www.wmich.edu/supplychain

“WMU Integrated Supply Management (ISM)…Nation’s best undergraduate SCM program (Gartner); 2nd in SCM technology (SoftwareAdvice);  2nd in top global SCM talent (SCM World)”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sime-curkovic-61617a115/

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