How To Become A Supply Chain Manager in Ireland

Become a supply chain manager and use your organisational skills, logistics expertise and flare for problem-solving to enjoy a lucrative, future-proof career. 

This role requires a lot of responsibility and hard work, but if you enjoy planning and helping businesses to maximise their efficiency, profit and productivity, then becoming a supply chain manager in Ireland could be for you.

Supply chain management is a key role for any business which deals with physical products and stock. Supply chain managers are responsible for overseeing the logistics of a supply chain, from getting raw materials for products to production and, ultimately, distribution. 

This job role is complex and involves a lot of different areas, such as procurement, manufacturing, operations management and transportation. They take on a lot of responsibility and must be prepared to take the reins when it comes to organising all elements of the supply chain as well as solving any problems that might arise. 

The main areas of supply chain management include:

Your day-to-day duties will include communicating with vendors, manufacturers, contractors, customers and other supply chain professionals, overseeing the process at each stage. You may also need to answer queries, solve any problems and find the best methods of managing the supply chain effectively, affordably and securely. 

The businesses that you work with will want to make the most out of their supply chain, from sourcing to retail, so your job will also be to make sure that every step of the process is the most efficient, cost-effective and low-risk it can be. 

Strategising new initiatives, the continuous improvement of supply chain processes, focusing on sustainability and building positive relationships with providers and contractors are all parts of what makes a good supply chain manager. 

There are several methods to becoming a supply chain manager, including working your way up from an entry-level position and studying for a university degree. Working your way up can be a good way of getting into this role, as you will have gained substantial work experience and training in business. 

However, it can be more time-consuming, and a university degree can be very useful, particularly if you want to apply directly for supply chain manager jobs. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in supply chain management, business management, logistics or transport management is particularly useful in this career and often desired by employers. 

Whether you have some work experience, a semi-related degree or are an absolute beginner, studying an online Supply Chain Management course is a great way to develop your career in this area. There are a variety of Supply Chain Management courses available, which are suitable for those with previous experience or qualifications and those without. These courses will help you learn all about supply chain operations and are available at different levels, including as a PG Dip and MSc.

Many of these courses also offer alternative entry requirements;, for example, a postgraduate diploma in Supply Chain Management requires either a bachelor’s degree in any subject or three years’ work experience in the role. They are delivered through distance learning, blended learning or in-person, making them super flexible. So whether you live in Dublin, Limerick or Cork, you can study an online course part-time or full-time.

There are several competencies and skills that every supply chain manager needs, including: 

Alongside these key skills, supply chain managers will need expertise in areas such as supply chain strategy, demand planning, pricing, inventory management methods and business operations. If you do not have all or some of these skills yet, then studying an online course and gaining work experience can help you develop the skills and expertise that you need.

Gaining work experience in business, manufacturing, warehousing, procurement, or another field related to supply chain management can certainly improve your career prospects in this area. There is no set amount of work experience you need, and different employers will have varying requirements when it comes to hiring a supply chain manager in Ireland. 

If you are studying or planning to study for a degree in this area, then taking a work experience module can be very useful to develop your experience. If you are a job seeker, then you can also find other roles which will help you develop some skills to help you become a supply chain specialist, such as working as a warehouse manager, procurement manager, demand planner or transportation clerk. Most employers will want candidates to have some experience in an area of business, manufacturing or supply chain management. 

However, if you do have qualifications behind you, then this can also demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of key aspects of supply chain management, such as the optimisation of end-to-end supply chains. Therefore, studying an online course in supply chain management can be invaluable to securing a job as a supply chain manager.

Supply chain management also comes with some great career prospects, with the potential to work your way into senior supply chain management and even to the board level. Gaining more experience and qualifications can help you progress as a supply chain manager, and this will come with increased earning opportunities as you build up your skills and experience. 

Supply chain management is a popular choice for many who want a secure job, good earning potential, plentiful job opportunities and enjoy helping businesses maximise their productivity.

English and Irish businesses are currently struggling to find enough supply chain experts, so now is the perfect time to study and look for vacancies in supply chain management.