How To Shift Into A New Career In The Supply Chain Industry: There will be times throughout your career when you feel like you want or need a change of role or responsibilities. The supply chain is a vast industry with many different sectors to explore, making it the perfect solution for individuals who want to have a varied, interesting and exciting career journey.
Before making any decisions about changing your career, you must assess your current situation and needs. This will allow you to plan out the type of role, industry, and even business that would be right for you. You need to stay focused while taking on other opportunities as they arise, even if they are not a direct route to your dream career; gaining varied experience and knowledge of the wider industry will be invaluable.
There are many ways to successfully shift into a new career in the supply chain industry, here are some great recommendations.
Network With Others Within And Outside Your Field
The best way to learn about your sector is to network with others in your field. These can be industry experts, mentors, career transition assistance providers, or even friends or family members who are in similar roles. You can also network with people outside of your field, as they provide a fresh perspective. This will help you learn about workplace trends, disruption, and developments, and how companies adapt to them.
For example, suppose you’re a logistics manager and want to become a production manager. Working closely with the manufacturing or production manager, talking with them about their role and responsibilities, and spending time in their area of the business can help you see the job from their perspective.
Get A Qualification in Supply Chain Management
Investing in yourself is essential if you want to make a career shift in the supply chain industry. Study for a qualification that will help you move forward in your career. Not only will this provide you with the skills and knowledge needed for your future job, but it can also help with career progression within your current role and provide new opportunities you may not have considered.
Upgrade Your Skills And Knowledge
Suppose you want to make a career shift into a supply chain management role. In that case, you must learn about all of the different aspects of the industry, such as warehousing, inventory management, transportation and distribution. This means getting a solid education to help you improve your knowledge in vital areas.
You should also be aware of best practices so that you can keep up with them as new technologies emerge. For instance, if you’re an operations manager, specific skills need to be improved before moving on to another role, such as procurement management.
Learn More About The Field In General
If you plan on becoming a general manager, learning as much as possible about the field you will be managing within is essential. This will help you develop your skills and become a better manager overall. It’ll also give you an idea of what company or industry best suits you.
There are tons of books out there that you can read on how different companies manage their operations, find new customers, and perform other business tasks.
You should also take time to find out about the job market for the type of role you are aiming for, and how opportunities have changed over the years. This will help you decide how to hone your skill set or expand your wider knowledge.
Take On New Responsibilities And Roles
You can start taking on new responsibilities and roles when you’re ready to move up. You don’t necessarily have to be promoted into a position; instead, think outside the box and devise creative ways to expand your responsibilities. For example, if you want to become an expert in logistics, then consider taking a lower-level position within a logistics team with the aim of working your way up quickly.
Niche Within Supply Chain
As a supply chain professional, you can create a niche by specialising in a specific area. For example, you work in manufacturing and specialise in quality control or product development. This will help differentiate you from others who don’t have the same skill set. When you want to advance your career it is essential to network with other supply chain professionals so that they can refer you to business opportunities they become aware of.
Find A Company That Offers Training For Career Advancement
If you want to advance in your career, finding a company that offers training is essential. Most businesses now appreciate the real value of investing in employee development. Before you decide to leave, make sure you sit down with your manager or speak to the HR team to discuss your aims and why you would like to undertake training. As part of the conversation explain how the investment in your career development will benefit the business. If your current employer doesn’t offer the training you need, it is definitely worth looking for another company that does.
Conclusion
The supply chain is a big field with thousands of career routes and options, so it’s essential to know what you want to do and then be proactive about finding the proper training to help you achieve your goals. Don’t be afraid to change jobs if necessary; sometimes, it takes time for people to figure out their career paths and discover what they enjoy doing. As a supply chain professional, indeed, it’s also essential to keep your skills up to date so that you can find new opportunities as you begin to explore your own career journey.
The IoSCM Course Advisors are on hand to offer you support and guidance that will help you understand the career opportunities within the global supply chain and the skillset you need to progress into those roles or sectors. Speak with a member of the team today on 0800 1422 522.