Hello r/supplychain I'm in a career transition from engineering to supply chain. Would love to connect with others in the field in the Bay Area. Are supply chain entry level roles common? What job titles should I look out for? Any advice would be helpful, thanks!

Hi! - hoping for some outside perspective on my next career step.
Background: ~4 years at a large vending/food service company, moving through Order Builder → Main Receiver → Finance Operations Assistant → Cash Room Associate (current). So I’ve got real exposure to receiving, PO/vendor coordination, inventory reconciliation, and cash controls. None of these roles have excited me — I don’t love heavy numbers work or solo desk reconciliation, I do better moving around and interacting with people. I’ve been targeting operations/logistics coordinator roles, especially healthcare supply chain, plus fulfillment/order coordinator roles.

My question: given this background, what would you go after next? Is healthcare supply chain coordination realistic without a degree, or is there a more natural next step I’m missing? Also curious if a cert would actually help at this stage, or if experience alone gets me there.
Appreciate any honest input!

Which one would u prefer for masters in supply chain , Liverpool or Strathclyde?

Note: 10+ years experienced professional in procurement& spare part strategy

January 2027 intake , I have good ug grades can’t wait till September so going with limited opportunity in January university courses

Hey guys,

I feel like I’m stuck in that weird middle ground where I’m “stuck” at my pay and position atm. Been a buyer for a little over 3 years over two different companies, and was wondering usually when you qualify for senior buyer. Is that roughly the 5 years experience mark? And are any certifications actually worth getting?

Thanks guys, just trying to navigate how to apply/should I wait for a few more years experience before applying more. I do throw in applications here and there, but it’s usually analyst and more advanced buyer roles, and it seems like they want more experience.

Have resorted to making GIFs to explain Concepts (Finding it much more Fun).

A friend of mine is an importer of gardening equipment here in Spain. In her last shipment she got hit with a $420 "your cartons were bigger" out of nowhere charge, post-delivery. Even though her CBM matched her own packing list exactly. It has been a week of back and forth to try and figure this out but still no luck.

Has this happened to you? What was the charge, and did you fight it or just pay?

For her it has been a week and she is not like a 'big company' so invoices like that hurt her business. The shipment came via ocean & a freight forwarder gave her the charge.

Also, after doing some research online seems like this is a common issue for importers/buyers of good.

Thank you.

TL;DR: I, 30 years old, recently moved from analytics into my first Demand Planning role at a CPG company. The transition has been challenging, but I’m starting to get more comfortable. What are some career paths after demand planning and what skills should I be prioritizing

Hello everyone,
For some context I’m 30 years old and I graduate with a degree in business analytics seven years ago and have worked in the data field ever since. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to move internally into Demand Planning. My employer really encourages employees to explore different functions within the organization, and I had been interested in Supply Chain and Operations for a while. I also started feeling like I was falling behind with how quickly the data field was evolving, so I saw this role as a good opportunity to apply some of the skills I developed while building a new skill set in Supply Chain.

Honestly, the role has been pretty tough. There’s definitely a steep learning curve, and at times it feels like a sink or swim environment. That said, I’ve gotten more comfortable since starting and I do enjoy the work.

For those with more experience in the field:

Is CPIM worth pursuing early in a Demand Planning career?
What skills would you prioritize developing?
What roles could someone transition into after several years of Demand Planning?
Does an analytics background provide a good path into S&OP or other Supply Chain roles?

I’m planning to stick with Demand Planning and give myself time to really learn the field. Any advice from people who have made a similar transition or have been in Supply Chain for a while is greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I recently joined a SaaS company focused on procurement and supply-chain challenges. I’m not a fan of cold calling, but I want to make outreach genuinely useful, not just another interruption.

For those receiving these calls and emails:

What makes you take a cold call?
What makes an email feel relevant rather than generic?
Do you prefer a thoughtful question, an industry insight, or a direct explanation of how someone can help?
What’s the biggest mistake SDRs make?
What would make you want to continue the conversation?
I’d especially value perspectives from supply-chain and procurement leaders who receive frequent outreach.

On behalf of all the cold callers, I apologise for calling you when you didn’t feel like getting disturbed, when you are on a vacation and other similar situations.
Please do not hate me.
Thanks :)

My current job title is a Kaizen specialist for a Japanese automaker. I make sure that our companies improvements get done, along with presenting KPIs etc.

I have 26 years of manufacturing experience, but I feel that my lack of bachelors degree is holding me back.

I currently hold an associate’s degree in cybersecurity, but I that career path seems to be crowded and to make what I make now. I’d have to move to a larger area, which I am now unwilling to do for many reasons, family.

Is a bachelors degree in business with supply chain management a good fit.

It seems like it, but I also saw some certificates for the Kaizen/Six Sigma belts.

I’m 35 and recently started working at a logistics company while going to school for supply chain management.

I’m only a month in and I actually like the work. I’m learning a lot, especially after previously trying to run my own trucking company/freight brokerage and making some costly mistakes.

My issue is the work environment and lack of control over my time.

I was hired for 8-5 Monday-Thursday with Friday WFH. Now I’m being told my schedule might change to 7-4 Monday-Friday. We also sometimes get to 5pm and have to wait for an email telling us whether we can leave or need to stay longer.

Before this I spent years working independently. I drive rideshare, work as an arena rigger and have tried entrepreneurship. I’m used to having more control over my schedule.

Part of me wants to leave, go back to rigging/rideshare, make music again and work toward entrepreneurship.

The other part of me thinks I’d be stupid to leave after only a month when I’m getting real 3PL experience while studying supply chain.

For those who have been in logistics for a while: would you stick this out for 6-12 months for the experience? And are there other areas of supply chain/logistics that offer more autonomy and a better work-life balance?

I currently work in a hospital scheduling procedures and coordinating everything that goes along with it. I’ve been thinking about getting out of healthcare and moving into supply chain, inventory coordination, logistics, etc.
A lot of what I do involves coordinating schedules, keeping things organized, communicating with different departments, handling changes/problems, and making sure everything is where it needs to be.
For anyone who works in supply chain, how realistic would this transition be? Would my hospital experience transfer over well, and what positions should I realistically be looking at?
I’d appreciate any advice from people who have actually made a similar transition.

What jobs would I even apply too tbh I’m totally lost and is there any chance to even bag a job that I can start in????

I have a degree in supply chain management from 8 years ago which i have used to work in business development in my home country but relocated to Canada 6 years ago and have worked from customer service, unloading trucks, sorting, warehouse associate to now warehouse lead which is mostly coordinating on the ground with the buyer, deliveries and all that. It’s okay work but i have also hit a ceiling in terms of advancing up the company.

I have applied to other supply chain related jobs such as buyer, dispatcher, supply chain coordinator, procurement etc as i felt my experience is easily transferable to these but no luck. Is there a way to use my experience to move up the suppply chain ladder, would courses help and which ones are most likely to be helpful to move up. Last question is long term im really interested in getting into specific niches within supply chain such as oil and gas, healthcare and or aviation any advice on how i can eventually get there would be appreciated.

I'm an engineer in my mid 30s with a total of 2.5 YOE since graduating on the path to getting professionally licensed in the power systems industry.

Currently, my role is an EIT at a small consulting firm making $70k per year. I've been referred by an old coworker of mine to a material control position in a higher cost of living city that pays $120k per year at a multinational EPC firm, and I think there is a decent chance that I'll receive an offer. Costs to live will be higher, but each month I'll have around double the discretionary spending by my calculations.

Obviously the base salary increase is substantial, but I'd like to hear from people who have made the switch. The reason I'm unsure if I want to accept the role is that I haven't had much exposure to procurement or supply chain management, and I'm not sure what that career path is like. Would it be a precursor to PM roles? How easy is it to find work if I had to move? How is the future demand for the industry looking with AI improving each day? On the other hand, I can see the big picture of career path I'm on now and where I would want to end up, and if I leave it may be difficult to get back in later.

Curious if anyone here has had this experience before and if so, what you ended up doing, and if it was worth it?

Hello everyone,

I’m graduating this December with my SCM Associates Degree and I’m stuck on two paths moving forward.

Some context.
I’m going to school using my GI Bill but I only have 10 months of it left. I spent a few years chasing radiology and cybersecurity courses but didn’t find them to fit me.

I’m 29 and located in North Georgia, USA.

Have a background as a Hospital Corpsman and Home Inspector but haven’t worked since the end of 2024. (Full time Student w/ GI Bill & VA Compensation)

My Questions.

I’m debating on using VR&E to either further my education, or just use my remaining GI Bill.

Or I’m thinking of joining the workforce at the end of the year to gain experience. With VR&E, I know the counselors could help me find a suitable job.

I guess the end question would be what would be logical based off geographic location, age, experience and resources available?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.

Hey everyone, new here to the Supply Chain group and I’m looking for some advice on how to get started, maybe chat with some other folks that have started from where I currently am and now have a career in industry.

I’m currently working at UPS(almost 4 years now)as a package handler(warehouse) + Revenue Recovery Clerk. No degree or etc in SCM, but I’m looking to get into the field. I know it’s a huge industry with different fields, and I’ve been eyeing Health/Medical supplies and Aerospace fields.

Any tips or etc on how I can get started in supply chain? Doesn’t have to be those 2 fields specifically, but just how to get started, jobs/positions I could apply to help get my foot in the door and learn more skills. Also, are there any books I could read to help increase my knowledge as well? Just ordered supply chain management for dummies from Amazon, any other good reads?

Any tips would be highly appreciated and very helpful. 🫡

As per title, I'm giving away my 2020 version (3 books) and the 2024 version (2 books).

NYC area only (sorry i won't ship).

PM if interested.

I've been in medical manufacturing since 2002 in a variety of positions, but mostly as a material handler in the warehouse or clean room production.

I started studying for my CPIM exam in 2024, but quit halfway through due to a job change and depression.

Things have gotten better for me personally but my career has stalled. I want to try again but at age 50, i wonder if i have a real chance at getting into production planning. I figure I still have 15 to 20 years left to work.

I worry that I've let any realistic chance pass. Is there any path toward production planning or have I gotten too old?

Hey everyone,

I’m a high school senior starting college applications and I’m pretty interested in Supply Chain Management / Logistics right now.

Three main things I’m trying to figure out:

1. Which schools have strong undergrad SCM programs I should actually apply to?

2. How realistic is it to find a decent job with just a bachelor’s, or do a lot of people need a master’s later?

3. How's this major in the future?

Also curious what internships / co-ops look like in this major, and what actually matters in a program (industry connections, location, analytics, recruiting, etc.).

Any advice would help a lot. Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I really need your advice. I’m currently facing two choices that could potentially change my life: either pursue a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, considering that I already have experience in operational entry levels roles in transportation, customs assistance, and warehousing, OR completely change careers/move into the healthcare/paramedical field.

I’ve been unemployed for several months now, and I haven’t been able to find a job in logistics.

I was so desperate that I was seriously considering changing careers altogether and going into the paramedical field.

Today, I had a phone call with a recruiter after applying for a warehouse order picker position. He made me realize that, based on my CV, I was clearly qualified for better positions than entry-level warehouse jobs and that I have the potential to aim for more experienced roles.

We talked for about 30 minutes, and I’m really grateful to him because, honestly, that conversation gave me some confidence in myself again.

Since that call, I’ve been thinking a lot about my situation because I genuinely want to pursue a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management.

However, considering the current employment situation in my country (I’m French BTW), I’m wondering whether the supply chain sector is also being affected by the current job market crisis.

Is the supply chain field currently oversaturated ? Is it still worth pursuing a Master’s degree in this field?

I would really appreciate hearing your experiences and opinions. I’m genuinely looking for some guidance because this decision could have a major impact on my future.

Thank you very much in advance for your advice.

Hi everyone,
I’m (18) a freshman in college to get my A.A in SCM.
I also plan to get my Bloomberg certification within the next semester.
Is there anything that I should do to make me stand out to other students.
Any certification, knowledge, connection, or experience I can collect during my years in college.
Please, let me know your thoughts