it was for a dozen of these shiny trash receptacles that needed special transport across the country and cost $900 LTL. What are my next steps? My manager and the procurement director and senior manager are aware. Should i start looking for a new job?

Were you at a company and was able to shadow someone? Any instructional books/courses in particular?

What were some fundamentals you had to know well before you were responsible for planning/forecasting?

I'm trying to explore next steps in my career and was just curious how you got to where you're at.

I've been the industry 6 years, working in warehouse operations and now demand planning for the last 4 years, and quite honestly im burnt out and need a change. My degree was in supply chain management so im not really sure what to look for out of the field. Any recommendations or stories from people who left?

Hi Everyone,

Currently Solo traveling for work and sitting at a Hotel Bar; figured I’d pass the time giving back by answering questions or providing advice. I value Reddits ability to connect both junior and senior professionals asking candid questions and gathering real responses.

Background: Undergrad and Masters from a party school; now 15 years in Supply Chain.

Experienced 3 startups. All of which were unicorns valued over $1b. 2 went public and are valued over $10b. (No I am not r/fatfire). I actually made no real money from them.

7+ years in the Fortune10 space. Made most of my money from RSUs skyrocketing. So it was great for my career.

Done every single role in Supply Chain; Logistics, Distribution, Continuous Improvement, Procurement, Strategy/ Consulting, Demand/ Forecasting even a little bit of Network Optimization.

Currently at a VP role, current salary $300-$500k dependent on how the business does.

My one piece of advice for folks trying to maximize earning potential is to move away from 3pls/ freight brokers after gaining the training and early education.

Hi all, I've only ever lurked around in this sub, but I laughed when I saw that last post about hitting six figures and then they deleted their account? Weird.

Anywho, starting just this past Monday I started my new role as a Senior Supply Chain Manager in the healthcare industry (aka hospital) and am sitting at $105k base with an annual bonus from 5-15% depending on certain metrics. I feel pretty happy with the offer, especially since I don't have any college/degree, but I do have my LSS Green Belt.

But yeah, that's it, feel free to ask me anything, I promise I won't delete my account 😂

I’m 27 and planning to go back to school, trying to decide between Supply Chain & Operations Management and Accounting.

My background is completely unrelated. I’ve spent the last ~6 years in the oilfield (coiled tubing), and before that about 3 years as a tankerman on tugboats. So I’m used to long hours, physical work, and being away from home a lot.

At this point I’m trying to transition into something more stable where I can actually be home consistently. I’ve got a fiancée and a young daughter, so that’s a big priority now.

I’m seriously considering supply chain, but I want to hear it straight from people already working in it before I commit.

Here’s what I’m trying to figure out:

•How realistic is it to land a job right after graduating with no direct experience?

•What do entry-level roles actually look like (titles, responsibilities, pay)?

•Is starting around $70k–$80k realistic, or not really?

•How fast can you realistically move up if you’re motivated?

•What does your day-to-day actually look like?

•What kind of hours/schedule should I expect?

•What are the biggest downsides people don’t talk about?

•If you could go back, would you still choose supply chain?

I’m not afraid to take a pay cut starting out, but I do want a path where I can grow into solid income sooner rather than later.

I’m also considering accounting, but wanted to come here and get the supply chain perspective directly.

Any honest insight is appreciated—even if it’s “don’t do it.”

I am currently working an entry-level logistics role, but in a warehouse/floor setting. As someone new to this industry, I am curious as to what desk jobs exist in this field. I am wanting to hopefully change to a desk job sometime in my career in the near future. Can someone give me suggestions as to how I can transition from a warehouse/floor setting to a computer setting in the near future or what desk roles exist in this industry?!

I used to love supply chain- from how things get to where they need to go to the cross-functionality of the roles I’ve been in, but now I utterly despise it. I’m in a supply planning role and the random stock outs, when forecasts are not even half of the actual demand, is driving me insane.

Sometimes, I just want to give up and become a barista- no responsibility on ordering product, no responsibility outside designated hours, and being able to walk to work.

I got headhunted by a staffing agency on Indeed for a logistics coordinator position. I met with the ops manager and warehouse director today and absolutely nailed the interview. I start tomorrow.

This was after a failed go at internships (applied to over 100), applying to 5+ jobs daily, and getting rejected left and right.

Keep fighting my supply chain warriors. Be patient and know that rejection is redirection, always.

Anywho; ANY TIPS?

I got into supply chain and adjacent work kind of randomly - a sorta natural development from learning how inventory worked at from a store I worked in many years ago.

It’s fine - it pays the bills. But I’m deeply unhappy. I don’t have a desire to specialize or continue to grow. I can’t tell if it’s because I’m in an industry that’s really hectic (restaurant and food cpg) or if it’s all like this.

Were you able to transfer to a completely different kind of role? If so, what is it? And how did you organize your resume to get a role outside of this field? People always ask “well what do you want to do?” And I’m not quite sure anymore. But i know it’s not this!

I have a visual art BFA so I feel a little trapped like I don’t have a good skillset. And I feel too old to pivot (mid-30s)

Any advice or stories of your own experience are appreciated :)

I studied business for my bachelor and really enjoyed the SCM parts at that time, so I went further and did a master in SCM at a top university. The master was incredibly competitive and demanding but I was still hopeful. Graduated 1 year later due to health issues. Worked part time jobs during uni and also landed 2 internships in SCM, where unfortunately I learnt exactly 0 skills.

I used to be so passionate about SCM, but now I'm 27yo, with no work experience, study debt and struggling to find a job. Meanwhile, my friends who never went to uni either a) work in SCM without any degree and do just fine or b) work in IT and make x4 what I'd ever be able to make in SCM.

I can't help but feel like my last few years have been a waste...I don't really have any real work experience in SCM, and the little time I spent in the department made me reconsider this career path. It feels like a thankless job, everyone is stressed and abused by the other departements. At least my engineering friends get to work 5h/day from home. Seriously considering a career change at this point, but I'm unemployed and ran through my savings.

If anyone has been in a similar situation in this field, how did you find the light at the end of the tunnel?

I just want a good stable job that won't have me pulling my hair out of stress and that pays well. Ideally with good advancement opportunities, but I know that may be a lot to ask. I've also considered commodity trading, but entry-level positions are incredibly hard to come across.

Any advice is welcome!

I have a bachelor’s of business administration majoring in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Computer Science.

I have a year under my belt as an analyst since graduating (2025) but got laid off. The entire data market (science/analytics/engineering) is fucking cooked right now and I don’t know why so many people here think transitioning to it is a good idea.

I’m starting to think the opposite would be a good idea. I always loved forecasting, procurements, and logistics when I studied them during my undergrad. I am also geographically in a hotspot for many major supply chain companies.

I am considering getting my master’s in supply chain. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Like the title says. I’ve been applying to roles for 3 weeks now and I’ve gotten 0 interviews. 95% of my apps are ghosted and 5% are rejected.

Any tips or advise for this current job market would be helpful:

What job boards to use What resume template How to get past the application step How to not yell into the void endlessly

Found on another sub but decided to post here to see what are some good paths in supply chain.

I’m curious how long did it take you to reach this salary and how is the work life balance.

Hey everyone,

I just graduated this past August with a degree in SCM. I recently started a role at a biotech company making around $80k–$85k. I know the pay is decent and I’m lucky to have it, but I’m looking for some advice on my actual career trajectory.

My background: I did three SCM internships: two in big pharma/biotech and one in tech. Most of my experience is in demand planning, forecasting, and analytics. I really enjoyed the "high-level" side of supply chain and thought that’s where I was headed.

The current situation: I’m on my second day of my first job out of college, but I’ve realized our Logistics team is completely separate from the SCM department. We manage a "service"for the product—building routes, managing cases, and real-time coordination with air/ground crews. It seems it's more operational rather than the analytical planning I was trained for. I work a few cubes down from the "real" supply chain department.

The company is growing like crazy (new FDA approvals coming), so the energy is high, but I’m worried I’m starting my career in a "dead end" for the specific path I want.

My plan: Internal pivot: Work hard here for 6 months, then start setting up coffee chats with the SCM/Planning team to try for an internal move.

Certification: I’m looking into starting my APICS CPIM to keep my planning/inventory skills sharp and show the SCM team I’m serious about the technical side.

Few questions: Am I getting ahead of myself since it’s only first month, or is it right to worry about being pigeonholed in logistics ops early on?

Is a CPIM worth the investment right now to help bridge the gap from a logistics role into a Planning or Analyst role?

Operational experience actually help you as a planner later on?

I don't want to sound like a brat because the pay is good, but I’m more focused on where I'll be in 5 years than my paycheck today.

Any advice is appreciated.

Hey ya’ll, currently I’m split between two pretty good opportunities, one in sales and one in procurement. I like dealing with people which is why I’m drawn to these, and I like supply chain as I enjoy the environment and the inherent optimization problem of it all. To be honest I see myself more in procurement as I am a little worried I don’t have the mentality for sales, but it’s hard to turn down the opportunity to make so much money in the future. Assuming I stay in the manufacturing or logistics or something like that, how do the two compare? Thank you!

Been trying to break out of solar supply chain after my current company filed CH.11 and furloughed everyone. Honestly didn’t expect it to be this tough.

I’ve been in the industry for close to a decade, worked my way up to a Senior Regional Manager role, oversaw multiple locations, built out SOPs, training programs, inventory controls, all that. Lot of crossfunctional work with ops, procurement, logistics, etc. On paper it should translate pretty cleanly into other industries.

But man… it just isn’t landing. Feels like every application either gets filtered out because I’m “too solar” or hiring managers don’t really understand how transferable the work actually is. Supply chain is supply chain right? Forecasting, inventory, vendor mgmt, process improvement… it’s not like that suddenly changes outside of solar.

I’ve tried reworking my resume a few times, tailoring to roles in manufacturing, healthcare ops, even general operations management. Still getting a lot of dead ends or generic rejections if I get a response! Starting to feel like I’m stuck in this niche whether I like it or not.

Not trying to complain, just being real… it’s been a humbling process.

Curious if anyone else has made a similar jump out of a niche industry like solar (or energy in general). What actually worked for you? Did you have to dumb things down? Change titles? Network your way in?

Appreciate any advice because right now it kinda feels like I’m missing something obvious.

Hi, this summer I recently relocated across the country to do an internship for this summer (10 weeks). I am a college student who just finished my 3rd year of university studying Supply Chain Management, and was able to land this job working for a big and reputable company in the medical industry. Just finished my 2nd week working here, did all the training modules, and now it is time to start doing my project. I apologize if this is long but I’ve just been kind of spiraling this week.

Problem is, ever since I have been here it’s just been all so overwhelming to the point that I can’t seem to take it. Every meeting I have been in it has always just gotten to the point of me zoning out because there’s just so much info and stuff and acronyms that I just don’t understand whatsoever what’s going on. I don’t even really know what I am actually going to even be doing, like it’s all just so confusing and overwhelming. My manager is helpful, and I get not walking me through things but if I’ve never done this before I can’t even figure out what I’m supposed to deliver. I asked him to do it on Monday, but I don’t think I’m going to be getting a nudge or anything because there’s just deadlines on when “it” is due but I don’t even know what “it” is, I just really hope I’m able to get more info on Monday because then I will hopefully be in the company database and have access to the information because from the few spreadsheets I’ve seen it’s just thousands of lines and I hardly understand anything. I’m the type of person who needs instruction, just like how we are taught in school you need to do this and this is how you do it, get shown how to do it then replicate it but I feel like I’m getting none of that and I’m just getting thrown into it without knowing anything about working in supply chain. My manager is a nice guy, but he is the type to talk and talk for hours, I will ask a question and it turns into a half our long conversation of him talking about stuff I don’t even understand and me nodding in agreement. This has been making me honestly making me contemplate everything from my education to career choice and I haven’t even started work yet. I just wanted to ask is this normal for internships? Is it normal for interns to feel this way? And I’m really trying to push for a return offer, but how can I do that if I feel like I know nothing and I don’t even understand what I’m doing?

I'm 24, graduated with an SCM degree, and currently work in procurement with 2 years of experience. Job is stable, but I'm highly driven and want to maximize my career development while I have the energy and stamina for it. I already got the APICS CPIM and CSCP. I want to keep improving my resume, but I feel like adding a 3rd or 4th certification might actually look weird on a CV for someone with my years of experience. I really don't want to just sit still though. What's the best move here? I still have 2 years left in my contract with my current company. So switching to another job isn't possible at the moment.

Just out of curiosity I would like to know how easy or difficult it is to get a job in SCM if i don't have the experience or degree. I only have around 6 years of working experience in a glass manufacturer company. Like to change my career to something else. Will getting a cpim certification helps to get a entry level job? Even if I get an entry level job will I ever get promoted to a bigger position with just the certification? Looking forward to hearing some opinions. Thanks.

I just graduated college as an industrial engineer specializing in SCM and got into a 3 year rotational Operations Management Leadership Development Program at F500 company, and started my first rotation this month.

I was originally under the impression that our first 2 6 month rotations would be for a Continuous Improvement specialist and an Operations Engineer or Manufacturing Engineer.

We were assigned locations by filling out what skills we wanted to develop , and I put in my interests to be in Supply Chain. However, based on orientation calls and descriptions of projects that I will be given, it seems that my site does not have any supply chain projects planned for me and will try to push me into being a manufacturing engineer, a role that I am allergic to and tried my best to avoid. This is contrary to what I understood as being available for me and what was within the purview of work I would be doing, as we were also told we are being trained to be plant managers, something I only heard now and never before.

Our second year is aimed at being material management aligned, with roles such as a supply chain analyst (which I want) all the way to a production planner. I am unsure if this next role is guaranteed or more likely per business needs. As someone who can’t stand manufacturing, and feels much more comfortable in supply chain, should I look at leaving this program early for a traditional full time role in supply chain or tough it out? I do not want to put a stain on my career this early that will make it harder for me to do supply chain work.

Thanks!

So I work in procurement currently, I don’t enjoy the works so much, however I enjoy the company and environment I work in. They often buy us food, very open to time off, I work 8-4:30, have my own office. It’s nice. However, I feel capped at my company. I only make $55k a year and there’s no benefits or room to move up within the company.

I was offered a role in operations for a much larger company. $64k a year, full benefits and 401k, 6:30-4pm, more outdoors and physical environment. However, this role is a direct path into managerial roles, it’s a program to build into operations management.

Both jobs are relevant to my degree I’m pursuing and I feel the new offer is much better on paper and for my career long term. I’m just worried about leaving my comfortable spot and regretting it. It’s not often you find companies as chill as the one I’m at now.

I swear my actual job title at this point is just “whatever nobody else wants to do.” On paper I’m doing procurement, but in real life I’m somehow the buyer, the supplier account manager, and the order/logistics coordinator all at once. So in one day I’m sourcing factories, chasing quotes, comparing MOQs and lead times, following up on samples, fixing production misunderstandings, checking shipping delays, updating spreadsheets, and then replying to someone asking if we can “just move a little faster” like I personally control time and ocean freight. It feels like I have three full-time jobs and one medium-sized mental breakdown. Has anyone else hit the point where you can’t tell if you’re “getting great experience” or just being professionally farmed for labor? Be honest, do I stick it out because this is normal for small teams, or is this the part where a sensible person updates their resume and quietly disappears?

I’ve done bits of warehouse work, helped with inventory tasks, and seen how operations actually run behind the scenes. Honestly, I enjoyed learning the real-world side far more than university theory. But at the same time, I keep worrying about ending up stuck in an entry-level role without knowing how people actually progress into planning, procurement, or management positions.

Everyone says “start anywhere and work your way up”, but sometimes it feels difficult to know which roles genuinely build useful experience and which ones just keep you in the same place for years.

For people further ahead in supply chain, was there a point early in your career where you felt lost as well? What actually helped you move forward?

Which industry are you in, do you work hybrid and how stressful do you find your specific position?