Supply Chain Management
Overview
Our Supply Chain Management (SCM) program is designed to equip students with both technical and organizational skills required to excel in the fast-paced and ever-evolving supply chain and logistics sectors. The program integrates core supply chain principles with modern software applications, enabling students to leverage technology for optimizing logistics, inventory, sourcing, and transportation operations. Graduates will gain industry-relevant skills in areas like enterprise information management, global logistics, and supply chain sustainability, preparing them for critical roles within the supply chain industry. With a focus on project management and real-world problem-solving, this program ensures that students are well-prepared to handle the challenges of modern supply chain operations.
The new Supply Chain Management program is coming soon to Assiniboine! Sign up for our interest list to receive more information as soon as it's available.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program are able to:
- Use software applications to manage inventory, logistics, and transportation efficiently, making data-driven decisions to improve supply chain operations.
- Understand and implement effective sourcing, purchasing, and transportation strategies to enhance cost efficiency and operational effectiveness.
- Understand sourcing and purchasing in supply chain management.
- Assess suppliers using both quantitative and qualitative criteria.
- Develop negotiation strategies for effective procurement.
- Analyze procurement processes to identify cost savings and efficiency improvements.
- Address ethical, legal, and sustainability factors in sourcing and purchasing decisions.
- Understand the interconnectedness between transportation, warehousing, and inventory management within supply chain management.
- Analyze and select the most cost-effective and efficient transportation modes and routes.
- Design and evaluate warehouse layouts and processes to boost productivity.
- Understand and apply key inventory management techniques such as Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), safety stock, and ABC analysis.
- Understand the latest technological innovations and sustainability practices, enhancing their ability to manage logistics operations in an environmentally responsible and efficient manner.
- Assess the complexities of global supply chain management, including trade regulations, cultural diversity, and international logistics, using case studies to support learning.
- Apply project management principles to deliver supply chain initiatives and improvements within budget, scope, and timeline.
- Use Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), supply chain management software, and data analytics tools, to improve supply chain efficiency and support decision-making processes in supply chain operations, ensuring the accuracy and flow of critical business information.
- Understand key supply chain metrics and apply improvement strategies to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency.
Success Factors
You might be a good fit for this program if you would enjoy any of the following:
- Analytical Thinking: The ability to assess complex problems, interpret data, and make data-driven decisions is crucial in optimizing supply chain operations and improving efficiency.
- Attention to Detail: Supply chain management requires precision, especially when managing inventory, tracking shipments, and overseeing procurement processes. Attention to detail ensures smooth and accurate operations.
- Problem-Solving Skills: SCM professionals often encounter unexpected challenges. Those who excel in supply chain careers can quickly identify problems and implement effective solutions, whether it's a logistical delay or an inventory shortage.
- Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential for coordinating with suppliers, customers, team members, and other departments. Successful SCM professionals can articulate ideas clearly, negotiate effectively, and manage relationships.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: The supply chain industry is dynamic and ever-changing. Being adaptable and open to new tools, technologies, and methods is key for staying ahead in the field.
- Organizational and Time Management Skills: SCM professionals need to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, often under tight deadlines. Strong organizational skills help ensure tasks are completed efficiently and on time.
- Technological Proficiency: Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, data analytics tools, and supply chain technologies is increasingly important in the modern supply chain landscape.
- Interest in Global Business: Supply chain professionals often work with international suppliers and customers. An interest in global trade, logistics, and cross-cultural communication can set successful students apart.
- Sustainability Mindset: As sustainability becomes a critical focus for many companies, a successful SCM student should be passionate about incorporating eco-friendly practices into the supply chain.
- Leadership and Teamwork: The ability to work effectively in teams and, eventually, to lead teams is essential for career advancement in SCM. Successful students demonstrate leadership potential and the ability to collaborate across various functions.
The industry and program environment often requires individuals to:
- Be able and willing to travel.
- Possess a valid driver’s license, and have access to a vehicle.
- Be self-motivated and results-oriented with the ability to deliver strong results in an often-unsupervised environment.
- Be eager to learn, adapt and innovate
- Work indoors and outdoors
Admissions
The new Supply Chain Management program is coming soon to Assiniboine! Sign up for our interest list to receive more information as soon as it's available.
Careers & Connections
Careers
The Supply Chain Management program prepares graduates for a wide range careers in supply chain, logistics, and project management sectors. Career opportunities for graduates may include positions such as:
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Logistics Coordinator
- Inventory Manager
- Sourcing and Procurement Manager
- Transportation Manager
- Operations Manager (Supply Chain)
- Supply Chain Planner
- Project Manager (Supply Chain)
- Warehouse Supervisor
- Purchasing Coordinator
- Distribution Manager
- Supply Chain Sustainability Manager
- Demand Planning Analyst
- Freight Coordinator
- Customs and Compliance Coordinator
- Procurement Analyst
- Transportation Coordinator
- Global Logistics Coordinator
- Retail Logistics Planner
- E-Commerce Logistics Coordinator
The job outlook for supply chain management in Canada, particularly in Manitoba, is good with opportunities in various sectors like wholesale trade, manufacturing, and hospitals.
Between 2025 and 2029, the Manitoba Transportation and Warehousing Industry (MTWI) will require 10,706 new jobs. 5,712 are due to new and expanding businesses, while 4,995 are due to retiring workers. This is indicative of a younger, healthy growing industry since typically, replacement demand (retiring workers) exceeds expansion demand.
With the increasing complexity of global supply chains and the growing need for efficient, sustainable operations, the demand for supply chain professionals is rapidly expanding. According to industry reports, jobs in supply chain management are expected to grow significantly, driven by the need for companies to streamline operations and reduce costs. This program offers graduates a competitive edge by blending technical proficiency with strategic and managerial skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for leadership roles in the industry.
Connections
Assiniboine has a number of agreements with other colleges, universities and professional organizations, making it possible to apply credit taken at Assiniboine to programs at other institutions. For information on agreements, see Articulation Agreements.
Courses & Costs
Coming soon...
Topics of Study Will Include:
- College Foundations
- Software Applications – Supply Chain
- Math for Supply Chain Management
- Supply Chain Strategy and Management
- Sourcing and Purchasing
- Transportation/Inventory Management
- Organizational Behaviour
- Enterprise Information Management
- Supply Chain Sustainability
- Global Logistics Management
- Project Management
- Experiential Learning/Work Integrated Learning