Entry-level supply chain jobs provide easier access to a salary. These jobs have lower barriers to entry and give you work experience. You can develop new skills in these positions and use the experience to receive higher-paying jobs in the future.
Quicklook: Best Entry Level Supply Chain Jobs
- Best For Travelers: Truck Driver
- Best For Analytical Thinkers: Fleet Manager
- Best For Leaders: Production Manager
- Best For Negotiators: Supply Chain Specialist
- Best For Inspectors: Facilities Manager
5 Best Entry Level Supply Chain Jobs
Supply chain workers keep the economy running. They distribute vital goods across the world. Entry-level supply chain jobs let you quickly become a part of a significant area of global commerce. We’ve outlined the five best entry-level jobs to spark some ideas.
Truck Driver
Truck drivers play a crucial role in the transportation of goods, carrying cargo across land routes. Depending on their route, they may travel within a single state or cross international borders. By working as a truck driver, you have the opportunity to explore different regions of a country while performing a vital service that keeps goods moving.
Best For: Travelers
Average Salary: $77,500
Requirements:
- Proper CDL license
- 10 years of driving experience
- Meeting medical qualifications
Responsibilities:
- Deliver freight
- Drive and operate truck
- Pre-inspections
- Loading and unloading cargo
Benefits:
- Insurance
- 401k
- Travel
- Tuition reimbursement
Disadvantages:
- Many hours on the road
- Physically demanding job
- Obscure hours
Fleet Manager
Fleet managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a company’s fleet vehicles, from their initial deployment to eventual replacement. They assign tasks to drivers and coordinate their activities to ensure optimal performance. As the primary point of contact for any issues related to a company’s vehicle fleet and operations, fleet managers play a critical role in ensuring that all vehicles are running smoothly and efficiently.
Best For: Analytical Thinkers
Average Salary: $62,500
Requirements:
- Degree in logistics or accounting
- 2+ years of experience in al logistics role
- Experience in the transportation industry
Responsibilities:
Benefits:
- Insurance
- Paid time off
- Fuel discount
- Flexible spending account
Disadvantages:
- Being the point of contact for any issues
- Leadership will scrutinize your performance more than others
- Reliance on suppliers
Production Manager
As the overseers of the production process, production managers are responsible for crafting production schedules and ensuring that workers have the resources they need to perform their duties safely and effectively. Additionally, they play a vital role in optimizing workplace performance, providing training to workers as needed and making necessary adjustments to improve efficiency and productivity.
Best For: Leaders
Average Salary: $75,000
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Leadership skills
- Knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
Responsibilities:
- Create production schedules
- Meet health and safety regulations
- Establish quality control standards
Benefits:
- Insurance
- 401k
- Performance bonuses
- Vacation and sick leave
Disadvantages:
- Budget and technology limitations
- Frequent communication with many people
- Accountability for external variables
Supply Chain Specialist
A supply chain specialist crunches the numbers. They track inventory and make orders to fill gaps on time. They negotiate with third parties to get more attractive rates for deliveries.
Best For: Negotiators
Average Salary: $94,000
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Supply chain experience
- Sigma Certifications help
Responsibilities:
- Tracking inventory
- Order follow-ups
- Purchasing necessary inventory
Benefits:
- Insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Employee assistance program
- Gym membership
Disadvantages:
- Having to solve challenges that require multiple people’s input
- Tight deadlines for inventory
- Must be available all the time on call
Facilities Manager
Companies store their freight and fleets in buildings. A facilities manager ensures the buildings are safe and up to date. They also look for opportunities to improve productivity and reduce facility costs.
Best For: Inspectors
Average Salary: $61,500
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Official certification from IFMA
- A Driver’s license
Responsibilities:
- Inspect buildings
- Reduce costs across facilities
- Establishing security and emergency protocols
Benefits:
- Insurance
- Flexible spending account
- 401k
- Health savings account
Disadvantages:
- Long hours
- You may coordinate with difficult people
- Weekend work
Why a Job in Supply Chain?
A supply chain job makes you part of a vital industry. Supply chain workers are the foundation for society. You can get paid well and have a meaningful impact on the world.
Do I Need a Degree To Get Into Supply Chain?
Obtaining a degree expands your possibilities. Some supply chain jobs require degrees as a prerequisite. However, you can get a supply chain job without a degree and some companies prefer to fresh mind with a teachable spirit. Entry-level jobs have fewer prerequisites in place than higher-level supply chain roles.
How Do You Advance a Supply Chain Career?
Advancing your supply chain career will lead to more attractive job opportunities. Your application will stand out from the others, helping you increase your salary. You can advance your supply chain career over time with these strategies.
Get a degree
Most companies will ask hopeful supply chain managers to produce a bachelor’s degree for their application. Some companies will even ask for a master’s degree. Each of these degrees gives you a leg up on other applicants. You don’t have to get a degree from the top school. Any degree gives you a better chance than no degree at all.
Certifications
Professional certifications demonstrate specialized skill sets. You won’t need certifications for most supply chain jobs. However, they strengthen your application and can lead to an interview.
Work Experience
Companies hand top-paying jobs to the most experienced workers. Building up work experience will strengthen your case and lead to higher pay. Entry-level jobs and internships help you build experience. These jobs demonstrate hands-on experience that can help you land a better job in the future.
Do More Than Required
Companies give raises to employees they want to keep. Make yourself a critical component to the company’s success by doing more than required. Take on extra responsibilities and help in multiple areas. Work as if you are getting paid more, and you will soon get paid more.
Entry Level Supply Chain Jobs Represent the Beginning
Entry-level supply chain jobs provide easier access to a salary. You get many benefits and become part of an essential part of the economy. Gaining experience and certifications will strengthen your career and lead to higher pay in the future. It’s possible to rise through the ranks with hard work and persistence.
FAQ
Starting a career in supply chain often begins with obtaining a degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field, followed by gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in areas like purchasing, logistics, or inventory management. Earning professional certifications, like those from the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), can also enhance your credibility in the field.
A career in supply chain management can be worth it, as it offers a diverse range of roles with opportunities for problem-solving and strategic thinking, and it typically provides competitive salaries. Moreover, due to the essential role of supply chains in global commerce, these roles often come with a high level of job security.
A career in supply chain management is generally stable, given the critical role of efficient supply chains in nearly every industry, ensuring a consistent demand for skilled professionals in this field. However, like any career, it may be subject to economic fluctuations and industry-specific disruptions.
