MBA in Supply Chain Management

The average cost for pursuing a supply chain MBA varies from INR 3 to 24 LPA. It is unique to each college.

MBA in supply chain management prepares students for a broad range of managerial, entrepreneurial, and analyst roles. This specialisation allows working in various sectors like education, finance, healthcare, transport, airports, government, hospitality, and more. Furthermore, this specialisation can offer additional courses depending on the selected program.

Pursuing this course and gaining work experience can prepare graduates for managerial roles with decent pay. The supply chain manager's job role demands superior flexibility and versatility. Therefore, the salary is higher than other business-related job roles.

Listed below are a few supply chain management domains with ample job opportunities:

• Inventory Management
• Retail
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Global Trade
• Risk Management
• Sourcing & Procurement
• Sales & Operations Planning
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Sustainability

List of the most common supply chain management positions:

• Project Managers
• Industry Analysts
• Global Logistics Managers
• Operations managers
• Transportation Directors
• Supply Chain Sales
• Supply Chain Consultants
• Warehousing Managers
• Procurement Analyst/Purchasing Managers
• Customer Service Managers
• Industrial Production Manager
• Purchasing Manager or Purchasing Agents

Now let’s understand how graduates of this specialisation can be helpful in each of these job positions:

• Project managers:

They are responsible for handling small teams engaged in particular projects. Supply Chain project managers can tackle projects related to the timely allotment of a product, process enhancement in manufacturing settings, investigating or offering major logistics recommendations, and monitoring compliance in a product life cycle.

Nearly 50% of supply chain project managers possess master’s degrees. Compared to general project managers, the salary for supply chain project managers is higher (approx. $140,000/year).

• Industry analysts:

They research primary and secondary markets. Several industry analysts work for third-party consulting services researching ways to procure, set up, and use particular products. Essentially, this job role focuses on wider industry trends, and the employment can span various fields like healthcare, manufacturing, chemical sciences, agriculture, IT, etc.

The average salary for industry analysts is approx. $70,000 a year. The given salary varies based on the type of industry.

• Global Logistics Managers:

They typically focus on one of the key facets of supply chain management, i.e., international logistics. Global logistics management can be crucial to attaining business goals for companies that source or deliver their products globally.

A global logistics manager's responsibilities include recruiting local and global logistics operations, forming nation-based acquisition and logistics tactics and protocols, supervising region-specific trends influencing the supply chain, global shipping and distribution, etc.

Based on the business’ international logistics needs, global logistics managers may counsel small teams or big branches of businesses. The salary for global logistics managers is approx. $80,000/year.

• Operations Managers:

They hugely depend on the fundamental knowledge of supply chain management. Many supply chain management MBAs are termed operations MBAs. These professionals are responsible for looking after day-to-day operations in the supply chain management of a business.

The common responsibilities of an operations manager include creating crucial strategy and policy decisions, high-level HR resolutions including attracting top talent, examining inefficiencies and implementing solutions, creating partnerships with other organisations, making sure required legal documents are filed, and more.

The significance of operations managers is immense in many organisations. They are one of the rare managerial types bearing a common designation in the ‘C Suite’ like COO (chief operating officers) holding command below the CEO of a company.

• Transportation Director:

Several organisations provide significant logistical support in the form of rail freight, trucking, air shipping, or usage of waterways. These types of organisations often employ transportation directors.

Their common responsibilities include researching, analysing, and implementing enhanced strategies into a business’ transportation network. Pursuing an MBA in transportation management is not mandatory to work as a transportation director. The reason is that the MBA in Supply Chain Management course offers enough training if you aspire to become a transportation director.

The salary for transportation directors is approx. $95,130/year. Depending on the size of the organisation, this number may rise.

• Supply Chain Sales Managers:

The supply chain sales manager fulfils the other side of the operations and sales. The Supply chain sales managers look after the fulfilment of orders. They work as a liaison between supply chain and sales operations. Without this link, several large businesses might find operations and sales management goals interfering with each other, which leads to inefficiencies or incompetence in accomplishing customer orders.

The salary for supply chain sales managers is approx. $108,706/year. It can be higher for experienced professionals.

• Supply Chain Consultants:

Identical to industry analysts, the supply chain consultants usually operate their own business or function in a large-scale third-party consultancy. They perform research and analysis to provide supply chain solutions to different other businesses.

Usually, the maximum paid supply chain consultants operate their own business. The average for supply chain consultants is approx. $95,000/year.

• Warehousing managers:

Warehousing managers focus on those areas of supply chain management that have not been covered yet. A significant amount of optimisation can happen after product acquisition and manufacturing and before supply and fulfilment. During this stage, the goods existing in a warehouse and the particulars of how products get into the warehouse and leave it become extremely significant.

Graduates of MBA in Supply Chain Management can work as warehousing managers in various industries, from retail to e-commerce. The average salary of warehousing managers is $81,303/year; for experienced ones, the salary is $100,000/year.

• Procurement Analyst/Purchasing Manager:

This job role features various responsibilities, including analysing and testing vendor products, negotiating contracts with vendors, sharing the organisation’s requirements with vendors, and documenting expenses and producing reports. The salary of procurement analysts is approx. $73,424/year.

• Customer Service Managers:

Graduates with MBA in Supply Chain Management perform a major role in trade-ins, repairs, returns, or goods coming back from customers. They perform necessary processing on these goods. This sub-domain of supply chain management is significant in sectors where several distinct goods are shipped to various consumers. Many large e-commerce firms have branches dedicated to assisting with returns and deliveries.

• Industrial Production Manager:

After completing this specialisation course, candidates can work as industrial production managers. They are tasked with supervising the daily operations of their business’ manufacturing. Moreover, they organise activities for manufacturing goods and ascertain that processes are going on efficiently.

Usually, employers prefer graduates with MBA in Supply Chain Management rather than one with a bachelor’s degree because MBA candidates possess better technical knowledge of industrial production.

• Purchasing Manager or Purchasing Agent:

Purchasing agents and buyers purchase products and services to either use or resell for the corporation after assessing vendor types, assessing quality, and transacting contracts. Typically, purchasing managers work as agents or buyers for a few years before accepting a manager role.

The MBA in supply chain management course imparts learning on supply chains that allow the professionals to complete many duties of buyers, agents, or purchasing managers before any job training.

Graduates of MBA in Supply Chain Management obtain myriad opportunities to work in leading organisations in India. List of some popular companies recruiting these professionals every year:

• Reliance Industries
• Tata Consultancy Services
• Amazon
• Flipkart
• Larsen & Toubro
• Ford Motor Company
• HCL Technologies Ltd.
• Snapdeal
• ABBHP Inc.
• Cummins
• ITC
• Jio
• Maruti Suzuki
• Accenture
• Mitchell Rockett
• Jeremy Gnozzo
• Caroline
• Cubbage
• Chris Zanghi
• Ashley Goldberg
• Dave Holtzman
• Mahindra
• CTS
• ITC Grand Chola
• Renault Nissan
• Ashok Leyland

Here are the outstanding benefits of pursuing an MBA in supply chain management that justify its worth:

• Admirable salary package:

The demand for supply chain managers is accelerating. The payout is decent enough for freshers and experienced professionals. For experienced MBA professionals in this domain, the salary packages can be up to INR 20 lac/annum in India. The knowledge of supply chain management, other relevant aspects, and work experience are the prime factors leading to an admirable salary package.

• Improved cost management:

One of the prominent advantages of supply chain management is improved cost management when dealing with various aspects. These aspects are inventory system, finished goods storage, and decent relationships with vendors and distributors, resulting in reduced costs.

• Excellent career growth:

This specialisation allows professionals to diversify their careers by learning the precise tactics to implement in the business domain. When businesses manage more foreign transactions and procurements back to back, employers are constantly on the hunt for expert employees who can administer these transactions.

The following ways denote how this program contributes to your career growth:

• You can understand how to streamline the functions in supply chains and extensive operation networks.
• You can learn to manage flawless supply chain operations and ascertain a perfect balance between the demand of a product and its supply.
• You can learn to efficiently mitigate challenges in the supply chain management segments in national and international operated businesses.

• Job availability in diverse sectors:

The executive MBA in supply chain management unlocks various job scopes in the Supply Chain domain with a creative perspective. Graduates of this specialisation can explore career openings in management, accounting, marketing, consulting, corporate finance, and human resources.

The supply chain management covers multiple facets like manufacturing, packaging, warehousing, IT, transportation & delivery, logistics, etc. Therefore, it generates numerous job positions in the above sectors.

A few promising supply chain management jobs include Production Manager, Logistics Resource Planner, Production Planner, Quality Manager, Maintenance Supervisor, Warehouse Manager, Purchasing Manager, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing & Inventory Controller, Logistics Administrator, Reverse Logistics Manager, and Transport Manager.

• Avail jobs locally or abroad:

After pursuing supply chain management, you can get jobs locally and overseas. Several managerial roles need frequent travelling both nationally and internationally. It is a suitable option for you if you prefer travel-related jobs. More and more companies comprehend the potential of a supply chain management system. Hence, the demand for skilled supply chain professionals is high locally and abroad.

• Scope for higher education:

The list shows the courses aspirants can pursue after completing MBA in Supply Chain Management:

• Certification in Risk Management Assurance
• Certified in Production and Inventory Management
• Certified Information Systems Auditor
• NSE's Certification in Financial Markets
• Project Management Professional
• ISB Certificate Programme in Business Analytics
• Doctor of Business
• Chartered Financial Analyst
• Financial Risk Manager Exam
• SAP Course
• Personality Development Course

Reduces operational costs:

An effective supply chain management system enables retailers to accomplish resource procurement and manufacturing rapidly to finally bring products to the market. It also prevents the superfluous hoarding of goods in the inventory. Companies can save time and resources if the supply chain management system follows this approach. Specifically, it guarantees that the product reaches the customer without delays. Consequently, it will reduce operational costs.

Graduates of MBA in Supply Chain Management are trained to fulfil company objectives and maximise customer satisfaction. For the same, they are trained on how to evaluate all aspects with an eye to reducing operational costs. The knowledge of supply chain activities and logistics will give them enough understanding to reduce operational costs. These professionals implement strategies to reduce operational costs in various stages, from the product to delivery.

Career Prospects and Job Opportunities

After you complete a supply chain MBA, tons of job opportunities are available. You can access opportunities specifically in the areas like product development, inventory control, policy-making and planning, sales, product management, marketing, finance, etc.

Due to the increasing demand from industry and companies, the MBA in Supply Chain has turned out to be one of India's most preferred MBA courses. Presently, it has become a core area of research providing excellent career development prospects.

Certain prominent MBA Supply Chain jobs profiles:

• Business Development Manager
• Supply Business Manager
• Sales Manager
• International Marketing Manager
• Business Analyst
• Export Manager
• Product Manager
• Campaign Manager
• Business Consultant
• Supply Chain Finance Manager
• Purchasing Manager
• General and Operations Manager
• Transportation And Distribution Manager
• Administrative Services Manager
• Operations Research Analyst

List of leading Indian companies that are on the hunt for supply chain management professionals:

• Wipro
• Infosys
• Glenmark
• Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited
• Oracle India Pvt. Ltd.
• Ranbaxy
• Suguna Foods Private Limited
• Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd.
• Golden Opportunities Pvt. Ltd.
• Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

List of international firms that present opportunities for supply chain management graduates:

• Unilever
• HSBC
• L’Oreal
• Mc Donald’s
• Coca Cola
• Kimmel
• Kraft
• FedEx
• Prada

After you complete a supply chain MBA, tons of job opportunities are available. You can access opportunities specifically in the areas like product development, inventory control, policy-making and planning, sales, product management, marketing, finance, etc.

Due to the increasing demand from industry and companies, the MBA in Supply Chain has turned out to be one of India's most preferred MBA courses. Presently, it has become a core area of research providing excellent career development prospects.

Certain prominent MBA Supply Chain jobs profiles:

• Business Development Manager
• Supply Business Manager
• Sales Manager
• International Marketing Manager
• Business Analyst
• Export Manager
• Product Manager
• Campaign Manager
• Business Consultant
• Supply Chain Finance Manager
• Purchasing Manager
• General and Operations Manager
• Transportation And Distribution Manager
• Administrative Services Manager
• Operations Research Analyst

List of leading Indian companies that are on the hunt for supply chain management professionals:

• Wipro
• Infosys
• Glenmark
• Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited
• Oracle India Pvt. Ltd.
• Ranbaxy
• Suguna Foods Private Limited
• Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd.
• Golden Opportunities Pvt. Ltd.
• Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

List of international firms that present opportunities for supply chain management graduates:

• Unilever
• HSBC
• L’Oreal
• Mc Donald’s
• Coca Cola
• Kimmel
• Kraft
• FedEx
• Prada

Pursuing an online MBA in supply chain management comes with the following benefits:

• Offers flexibility for students with a hectic work and life schedule.
• No need to transfer jobs to attend the program.
• Obtain the same respected degree as an offline MBA in Supply Chain Management.
• Being self-paced, students can complete this master’s degree course at their own pace and schedule in either part-time or full-time capacity.
• Since universities entirely administer the program online, students gain the flexibility to advance their careers as well as pursue this course from any location.
• The fees are comparatively lower than the offline MBA in Supply Management courses. These fees are usually affordable to all students so they can conveniently upgrade their careers.
• It comes with reduced overhead costs, unlike the study material expense and commuting cost in offline courses.
• It equips with core supply chain management skills, leadership skills, knowledge of contemporary best practices, and practical exposure as well.

The MBA in supply chain management comprises core subjects and a few elective subjects. The top supply chain MBA program's course curriculum includes lessons, case studies, classroom discussions, individual and group projects, industry interactions, term papers, and many other activities. Let’s go through the typical syllabus of this course:

Semester I:

• Management concepts
• Business environment
• Financial and management accounting
• Managerial economics
• Principles of logistics
• Quantitative methods
• Executive empowerment program - I

Semester II:

• Business research methodology
• Financial management
• Marketing management
• Production management
• Shipping and maritime law
• Export and import management
• IT for business
• Executive empowerment program – II

Semester III:

• Strategies logistics management
• Logistics management and information systems
• Integrated logistics management
• Distributed management
• Railroad and air cargo logistics
• Maritime logistics and documentation
• Event management
• Executive empowerment program – III
• Summer training report

Semester IV:

• International Logistics Management
• Project Formulation And Appraisal
• Modern Logistics Operations
• Warehouse Management
• Retail Logistics & SCM
• Marketing of Logistics
• Small Business Management
• Executive Empowerment Programme -IV

In 2020, the market value of international supply chain management was 15.85 billion US dollars. It is anticipated to reach nearly31 billion US dollars by 2026. This indicates the projected growth of an MBA in Supply Chain Management.

Currently, cloud systems provide security and functionality identical to their on-premise counterparts. Moreover, it reduces the expenses and customisation hassles that outbreak traditional software. Certain companies require an on-premise system, and the cloud supply chain management market is anticipated to escalate in 2022 and beyond.

The recent Research and Markets report demonstrates the expected market growth of cloud-based supply chain management to approx. $8.6 billion by 2025 from the current estimate of $4.58 billion in 2019 at a CAGR of 11.09% (throughout the forecast period).

The swift adoption of Cloud-based business operations has digitised the supply chain industry. The reason is it can accommodate the persistent speed and breadth of volatility and facilitates improved responsiveness to supply chain disorders. Many organisations are reforming their supply chain into a digital supply system that unites physical flows of services and products. Furthermore, it offers other benefits like efficiency, affordability, redundancy, infinite scalability, and easy integration with the existing systems.

The 5G networks have already been approached, and the question is how would this technology reform the future of supply chain management. Well, 5G has been hyped for its speed; however,Forbes mentions the device density as the prominent drawback of this technology. With the proliferation of IoT-enabled devices, there is a demand for networks capable of handling a large number of devices. 5G will not only enhance the quality of life but also optimise significant parts of the supply chain, from logistics to warehouse management.

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are hyped to change the supply chain trend. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of omnichannel chains, robotics are extensively used. The global robotics expenditure is expected to surpass $241 billion by 2023 to perceive the benefits of robotics.

Traversing the social distancing standards has significantly contributed to the extensive usage of robotics. In supply chain management, rather than requiring human intervention to operate machinery at a physical location, the robotics providers can trigger and assimilate their product with your processes from a remote location.

The top supply chain MBA programs teach their students how to utilise analytics to enhance operational effectiveness. This program also imparts how to turn the supply chain into a source of competitive benefit. They teach how to evaluate interactions and relationships with supply chain partners; evaluate supply chains for effectiveness and efficiency, and determine the effect of distinct processes on the supply chain. All these aspects help professionals to work on various responsibilities related to supply chain management assigned to them in an organisation. MBA in Supply Chain Management course imparts all these skills and understandings. Therefore, it is one of the reasons behind the rising demand for these courses in India.

The supply chain industry is a fundamental component of a country’s economy. In context to the current dynamic market and economic scenario, the existence of businesses not just relies on innovative business strategies but also supply chain management. An efficient and organised supply chain infrastructure minimises manufacturing costs, boosts customer experience and satisfaction, and enhances the simplicity of doing business. Moreover, it accelerates urban and rural consumption growth impacted by enhanced market accessibility.

Without pursuing an MBA in Supply Chain Management course, it is impossible to gain an understanding of these aspects. In addition to covering the fundamentals of supply chain management, these courses also impart relevant technical skills and business know-how. Therefore, the students can easily accustom to some unique responsibilities that may be assigned in the future at their workplace.

With growing customer expectations, businesses should assimilate IT with the supply chain to ensure proper synchronisation between all principles of the supply chain. Pursuing a supply chain MBA helps the professional meet the growing customer expectations by maintaining a balance between demand and supply in the economy.

When it comes to online purchases, the customers usually anticipate a high level of customer service and convenience. E-commerce giants, Amazon, can fulfil or surpass these expectations by providing extra features (like same-day shipping, real-time package tracking, free return labels, etc.). MBA in supply chain management course teaches students how to ensure customers timely receive what they ordered. Also, it teaches how to ensure the right products are conveyed at the right locations.

The average salary of an MBA in Supply Chain Management Specialist Salary in India is INR 933,502/year.

Factors on which MBA in Supply Chain Management Specialist salary in India depends:

The salary of an MBA in Supply Chain Management Specialist in India can vary depending on multiple factors. This section highlights a few factors:

i. Salary based on the employer

Source: Glassdoor

ii. Salary based on experience

MBA in Supply Chain Management Specialist Starting Salary in India:

The starting salary of an MBA in Supply Chain Management Specialist in India is INR 301,000/year.