Supply Chain Manager Job Description Template
A Supply Chain Manager owns the flow of goods from supplier to customer, coordinating procurement, inventory, and logistics so products arrive on time and at the right cost.
Use this supply chain manager job description template to find reliable employees for your company. Feel free to modify the supply chain manager duties and responsibilities as well as the qualifications listed below to fit your specific needs.
What Is a Supply Chain Manager?
A Supply Chain Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end flow of goods, from raw materials or supplier sourcing through production, warehousing, and final delivery. The role spans a range of seniority: a Supply Chain Coordinator typically supports day-to-day logistics tracking, while a Supply Chain Manager owns supplier relationships, inventory strategy, and cross-functional planning. Most hold a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, business, or a related field, and many pursue a certification such as APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP. They typically report to a Head of Operations or VP of Supply Chain, and work closely with procurement, warehouse, finance, and sales teams.
What Does a Supply Chain Manager Do?
Day to day, a Supply Chain Manager tracks inventory levels and demand forecasts in an ERP or supply chain platform such as SAP S/4HANA Cloud or Oracle NetSuite, negotiates terms with suppliers, and coordinates shipments and logistics to keep products moving on schedule. They monitor key metrics like on-time delivery rate and inventory turnover, troubleshoot disruptions such as a delayed shipment or a supplier shortfall, and work with finance to manage supply chain costs. When a shipment is delayed or a supplier can't meet demand, it's the supply chain manager who activates a contingency plan before it disrupts customers or production.
Job Brief
We are seeking an experienced Supply Chain Manager to own procurement, inventory, and logistics planning, reporting directly to the Head of Operations. In your first 90 days, you'll map our current supplier relationships, inventory systems, and logistics network, and identify quick-win improvements; by month six, you'll be owning supplier negotiations and inventory strategy independently. This role carries direct visibility into company cost and delivery performance, with a growth path toward Director of Supply Chain or VP of Operations.
Responsibilities
- Manage end-to-end supply chain operations, from supplier sourcing through delivery to the customer
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers and logistics partners
- Monitor and forecast inventory levels using an ERP or supply chain platform, avoiding stockouts and overstock
- Track key performance metrics such as on-time delivery rate, inventory turnover, and cost per unit
- Coordinate with warehouse and logistics teams to optimize shipping routes, carriers, and delivery timelines
- Identify and resolve supply chain disruptions, such as delayed shipments or supplier shortfalls
- Collaborate with finance on supply chain budgeting, cost analysis, and vendor payment terms
- Evaluate and onboard new suppliers, assessing quality, reliability, and pricing against current vendors
- Lead process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste across the supply chain
Requirements and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or a related field
- 4-6 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or logistics management
- Hands-on experience with an ERP or supply chain platform such as SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Oracle NetSuite, or SAP Ariba
- Strong analytical skills, including demand forecasting and inventory optimization techniques
- Fluent in English (spoken and written); an additional local language is an advantage for multi-region supply chains
- Comfort using AI-assisted forecasting and supply chain analytics tools for demand planning
- Certification such as APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP is strongly preferred
- Strong negotiation skills and the ability to manage supplier relationships under pressure
Ready to use this template?
Frequently asked questions
A Supply Chain Manager oversees the flow of goods from supplier sourcing through delivery, coordinating procurement, inventory, and logistics. They're responsible for balancing cost, speed, and reliability across the entire supply chain.
Core duties include negotiating supplier contracts, managing inventory levels, and coordinating logistics and delivery timelines. Many also track performance metrics and lead process improvement initiatives to cut costs and waste.
A good Supply Chain Manager thinks several steps ahead, anticipating disruptions before they hit rather than reacting after the fact. Strong ones also build genuine supplier relationships that hold up under pressure during shortages or delays.
Supply Chain Managers typically report to a Head of Operations or VP of Supply Chain, and work closely with procurement, warehouse, finance, and sales teams. They also manage direct relationships with external suppliers and logistics partners.