Hopefully, we are training our supply chain students to become consultants…to their own organization. We try to develop strategic skill sets (rather than tactical) combined w/ softer skills (i.e., problem solving, leadership, negotiation, project mgmt, etc.).
Skills we try to hammer home: 1) Gather & organize information about the problem to be solved or the procedure to be improved. 2) Interview personnel & conduct onsite observations to determine the methods, equipment, & personnel that will be needed. 3) Analyze financial & other data, including revenue, expenditure,& employment reports. 4) Develop solutions or alternative practices. 5) Recommend new systems, procedures, or organizational changes 6) Make recommendations to mgmt through presentations or written reports. 7) Confer with managers to ensure changes are working.
See comments section, classic example of a SCM job posting where the org says the job requires that you be a consultant to their org (they are not mincing words in the job title – Senior Consultant). If you look at the description, there is nothing here that can be outsourced & be replaced by technology. However, it does require major use of technology. Also, notice the desire for SCM Finance skills.
Feedback from former students in actual consulting jobs after graduation…
First of all I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to work on research with you because that was a significant selling point when I interviewed for my current job in consulting. To answer your student’s question – consulting is a great choice after graduation. It’s not for everyone, but if any of your students are curious about consulting, I recommend that they look into it.
I have been working in consulting for almost a year, & in my experience it has been well worth it. Our team & leadership is awesome, & there is no micro-managing to speak of. Depending on the project & client, I either make my own schedule or take loose guidance from leadership. There are no micro managers looking over your shoulder, which is one of my fav aspects. It may be different at some firms, but this is not the case where I work.
Another great aspect of consulting is the diversity of industries & people to work with. I do ERP consulting for auto & industrial equipment firms, but our team has had clients in food & beverage, pharma, & many more. It’s a great way to accelerate professional growth & education early. For my first project, I worked w/ 2 other consultants to lead an ERP implementation over the course of 6 months. This meant interacting w/ everyone from shop floor employees, all the way to the C-suite (the highest levels of the org). I regularly interface w/ CFO’s, CTO’s & Presidents. Not to disparage anyone’s job choice after graduation, but this is something that you simply don’t get as an entry level buyer, scheduler, analyst, etc.
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