Definition

The following definition is borrowed from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals

Supply chain management encompasses the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing and procurement, conversion, and all logistics management activities. Importantly, it also includes coordination and collaboration with channel partners, which can be suppliers, intermediaries, third-party service providers, and customers. In essence, supply chain management integrates supply and demand management within and across companies.

Supply chain management is an integrating function with primary responsibility for linking major business functions and business processes within and across companies into a cohesive and high-performing business model. It includes all of the logistics management activities noted above, as well as manufacturing operations, and it drives coordination of processes and activities with and across marketing, sales, product design, finance and information technology.

Supply chains involve the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling and packaging. All of these areas of work provide a variety of stimulating jobs. These jobs combine to make overall supply chain management a challenging and rewarding career.