To work as a supply chain manager, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have five years or more of related work experience.

Education after high school

Most supply chain managers have at least a high school diploma. Several have a bachelor's degree. Several fields of study provide good preparation for this career. These include manufacturing engineering, business, economics, math, and statistics. Common areas of graduate study are operations research, logistics, business administration, computer and information science, and industrial engineering.

Work experience

Early in your career, you spend many years gaining work experience before getting a job as a supply chain manager. Working alongside or in support of another manager allows you to have an idea of the day-to-day responsibilities associated with the career.

Consider participating in an internship while in college. An internship offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

New graduates work under the guidance of experienced supply chain managers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. You work on more difficult tasks and get more independence in your work as you gain knowledge and experience. The length of training varies by employer. In general, you receive up to one year of additional training.