{"id":151629,"date":"2026-03-15T08:11:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T07:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/?p=151629"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:12:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T06:12:40","slug":"supply-chain-manager-who-they-are-what-they-do-and-how-to-become-one-skills-for-managing-global-logistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/en\/supply-chain-manager-who-they-are-what-they-do-and-how-to-become-one-skills-for-managing-global-logistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Supply Chain Manager: who they are, what they do, and how to become one. Skills for managing global logistics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In recent years, the<strong> supply chain manager<\/strong> has become an indispensable figure in the business world. Global crises, from pandemics to international logistics disruptions, have shown how <strong>strategic<\/strong> the role of <strong>coordinating the entire supply chain<\/strong> truly is.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>A <strong>supply chain manager<\/strong> does not simply move goods: they ensure that raw materials, products, and information reach the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost. In other words, they<strong> make sure the company continues to produce and sell even in uncertain environments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>But what does a supply chain manager actually do? What is the path to reaching the top of this position, and what is the annual salary of a supply chain professional?<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Who is the Supply Chain Manager: the difference between logistics and supply chain\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To understand the role of the supply chain manager, it is essential to answer one question: <strong>what is the difference between logistics and supply chain?<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>Logistics<\/strong> mainly concerns <strong>operational activities<\/strong>: transportation, storage, warehouse management, and product distribution. S<strong>upply chain<\/strong>, on the other hand, embraces a much broader concept: the <strong>entire flow from supplier selection to the delivery of the final product <\/strong>to the customer.<br \/>\nSo, while a logistics manager mainly focuses on transportation and warehousing, supply chain management works on the overall<strong> strategy of procurement<\/strong>, <strong>production<\/strong>, <strong>distribution<\/strong>, and <strong>partner management<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong><br \/>\nSupply chain manager: the professional who coordinates the entire value chain\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This answers the question, \u201cwhat does a supply chain manager do?\u201d<br \/>\nThe responsibilities of a supply chain manager include <strong>designing<\/strong>, <strong>controlling<\/strong>, and <strong>optimizing all processes that enable a company to transform raw materials into finished products<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Key activities include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>procurement planning;<\/li>\n<li>management of international suppliers;<\/li>\n<li>coordination between production, warehousing, and distribution;<\/li>\n<li>monitoring costs and delivery times;<\/li>\n<li>risk management along the supply chain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In short, a supply chain manager turns logistical complexity into a competitive advantage for the company.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Key skills of the Supply Chain Manager\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To effectively carry out the responsibilities of a supply chain manager, <strong>cross-functional skills <\/strong>are required, combining <strong>analysis<\/strong>, <strong>strategy<\/strong>, and <strong>technology<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Data analysis and data-driven decision making\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Oggi la supply chain \u00e8 sempre pi\u00f9 digitale. Il manager deve saper:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>interpret KPIs and dashboards;<\/li>\n<li>forecast demand and inventory levels;<\/li>\n<li>optimize flows using predictive models.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Risk management and resilience\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Recent crises have made the ability to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>diversify suppliers and routes;<\/li>\n<li>build resilient supply chains;<\/li>\n<li>plan alternative scenarios.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>International negotiation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Supply chain managers work with partners and suppliers all over the world. Therefore, they need:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>language skills;<\/li>\n<li>knowledge of global markets;<\/li>\n<li>the ability to negotiate complex contracts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>ERP software, automation, and AI\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Among the most in-demand technical skills:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>use of ERP systems;<\/li>\n<li>demand planning platforms;<\/li>\n<li>artificial intelligence tools for flow optimization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Today, operational expertise alone is not enough: analytical, digital, and strategic capabilities are essential.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Career path: how to become a Supply Chain Manager\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>One of the most common questions is: <strong>how do you become a Supply Chain Manager<\/strong>, and what degree is required to work as a manager in this field?<br \/>\nMost professionals come from backgrounds in:<br \/>\nmanagement or industrial engineering;<br \/>\neconomics and management;<br \/>\nlogistics and transportation.<\/p>\n<p>However, specialized postgraduate education is essential.<br \/>\n<strong>Bologna Business School<\/strong>, structured around the integration of core management foundations and their practical application in companies, offers dedicated programs for this increasingly important professional role.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/en\/master-fulltime\/master-in-business-management-made-in-italy\/\">Professional Master in Business Management \u2013 Made in Italy<\/a>, <strong>full-time<\/strong>, in <strong>Italian<\/strong>, and lasting <strong>one year<\/strong>, is the ideal Master for those who want to turn their <strong>passion for Made in Italy<\/strong> into a brilliant professional career.<br \/>\n<strong>Practical training<\/strong> and the development of <strong>soft skills<\/strong> are at the core of a path designed to train managers capable of understanding product <strong>storytelling<\/strong> and responding to the demands of a market increasingly focused on Made in Italy excellence.<br \/>\n<strong>Internship<\/strong> opportunities and a personalized <strong>Career Service<\/strong> guarantee preferential access to the business world.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/en\/global-mba\/ai-and-manufacturing-2\/\">Global MBA in AI and Manufacturing<\/a>, <strong>full-time<\/strong>, <strong>12 months<\/strong>, in <strong>English<\/strong>, is the ideal program for acquiring technical and managerial skills to start a <strong>career in high-tech companies.<br \/>\n<\/strong>This study path is designed to provide students with top-level academic training, guaranteed by an outstanding faculty and by its connection with UniBo, the oldest university in the Western world and one of the most important and innovative in technological research. At the same time, it offers direct <strong>networking<\/strong> opportunities with companies in the Emilia<strong> Data Valley<\/strong>, home to a highly automated manufacturing sector known worldwide. A Master\u2019s program designed to provide hands-on knowledge and best practices in real time, developed and tested in cutting-edge contexts and immediately applicable in global markets.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/en\/open-program\/digital-transformation-in-manufacturing-supply-chain\/\">Open Program Digital Transformation in Manufacturing &amp; Supply Chain<\/a> offers <strong>7 part-time on-campus days<\/strong> to train participants on the role of <strong>digital transformation<\/strong> in <strong>managing<\/strong> business operations, both internally and across the entire <strong>supply<\/strong> <strong>chain<\/strong>. The program focuses on the role of <strong>digital solutions <\/strong>in daily activities through the adoption of <strong>enabling technologies<\/strong>, supporting the deep <strong>cultural<\/strong> <strong>change<\/strong> necessary to take a decisive step toward organizational modernization and <strong>digitalization<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why the supply chain manager is in such high demand\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>In summary, what does a Supply Chain Manager do in practice?<\/li>\n<li>Coordinates suppliers, production, and distribution.<\/li>\n<li>Optimizes timelines, costs, and inventory levels.<\/li>\n<li>Prevents supply chain disruptions.<\/li>\n<li>Leads the digital transformation of logistics processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In an unstable global environment, this role has become essential for business continuity. That is why demand for professionals specialized in logistics and supply chain management continues to grow, along with career and salary prospects.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How much does a Supply Chain Manager earn?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Another key question is: <strong>how much does a Supply Chain Manager earn?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The salary of a supply chain manager varies depending on experience, industry, and company size.<\/p>\n<p>Indicatively:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>junior: \u20ac35,000 \u2013 \u20ac45,000 gross per year;<\/li>\n<li>middle management: \u20ac50,000 \u2013 \u20ac70,000;<\/li>\n<li>senior or supply chain director: over \u20ac90,000 \u2013 \u20ac120,000, with bonuses and benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The most experienced professionals, especially in multinational contexts, can exceed these figures thanks to performance-related bonuses.<\/p>\n<p>The supply chain manager is one of the most marketable roles in today\u2019s international job market. If you are interested in this fascinating professional profile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbs.unibo.it\/en\/\">contact<\/a> <strong>BBS<\/strong> to schedule a meeting!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In recent years, the supply chain manager has become an indispensable figure in the business world. Global crises, from pandemics to international logistics disruptions, have shown how strategic the role of coordinating the entire supply chain truly is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[104,207,92],"tags":[],"rubrica":[],"class_list":["post-151629","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-management-asian-markets","category-news-en-2","category-news-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Supply Chain Manager: what they do, salary, and how to become one<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Supply Chain Manager is the conductor of global logistics. 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