Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been shortages of one product after another. From toilet paper to new trucks, these shortages were often caused by supply chain issues. Dozens of companies often contribute to making products available for us to buy at a store or order online. Issues at any one of them, or the transportation between them, can disrupt product availability. These issues create plenty of job opportunities. Companies employ people in supply chain management jobs to make sure they have the right materials available at the right time to make the products that consumers want. They also need employees to figure out the best and most efficient way to ship those products to stores and consumers.
Raw Materials
The products we use every day start as raw materials like metal, plastic resins, food commodities or fabrics.
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Transportation Phase
Raw materials are transported to factories by a variety of methods, including boat, train, airplane and truck.
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Manufacturing
Most manufacturers don’t actually make the final product we see. Instead, many companies specialize in making components or parts that go into a final product.
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Transportation
Each method of transportation has benefits and drawbacks. An airplane may be faster, but costs more. A train may be cheaper, but a truck can take the product to a specific destination.
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Assembly & Distribution
All of the parts and components made by factories eventually come together for final assembly and distribution.
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Transportation
Many companies employ people to coordinate shipping and receiving products and materials. These people don’t work directly on products but are critical to keeping a business moving.
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Retail & E-Commerce
Once products are finished, they are shipped to retailers or warehouses for distribution.
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Consumers
When consumers finally buy products, it is the end of a complex process that benefits from companies knowing what to make and how to ship it.
The need for people working in supply chain management is growing as companies look to save money moving products as efficiently as possible. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates supply chain jobs in Wisconsin will grow 32% by 2030, with median salaries around $62,870. Four-year and two-year schools including Marquette University and Waukesha County Technical College have programs in supply chain management.