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In an increasingly connected world, every product-based business has a supply chain. Quality engineers with a focus in logistics and supply chain management will typically work in larger, more complex business environments.
The number of potential employers is vast: the aerospace, energy, manufacturing, telecommunication, and pharmaceutical industries all need quality logistics and supply chain management.
Where a logistics or supply chain manager works will dictate the manner in which their job needs to be performed. A logistics or supply chain manager working in the agricultural industry, for example, will need to consider the perishability of their products. Meanwhile, working with electronics manufacturers means optimizing for shorter product life cycles and cyclical patterns of demand.
Logistics and supply chain managers typically work in three areas: logistics, operations, and finance. Logistics focuses on unifying the sales and operations departments, and optimizing procurement processes. Operations deals with managing product flows, restructuring transportation networks, and optimizing warehouse processes. Finance involves accurate inventory management, analyzing different methods of inventory recovery, and refining budgets accordingly.
Day-to-day functions of logistics and supply chain managers may include:
In focusing on building resiliency, the tasks of logistics and supply chain managers may include:
In a post-pandemic world, logistics and supply chain managers are tasked with more than ever before—and their efforts are critical to maintaining and optimizing the modern economy’s infrastructure. To do so effectively, they need a strong educational foundation.
Logistics and supply chain management requires a twin understanding of logistical processes and business practices. While it is possible to enter this field with only bachelor’s level education, larger companies with multinational supply chains will look for candidates who have graduate-level degrees.
Quality engineering is a niche specialization and dedicated degrees in the subject usually only appear at the graduate level. These degree programs can either be master’s degrees in engineering with a quality engineering concentration, or master’s degrees dedicated specifically to quality management. Some programs will be more technical than others; students with undergraduate backgrounds in business may gravitate towards different master’s programs than students with undergraduate backgrounds in engineering.
Another path into this profession is to pair one’s technical education at the undergraduate level with business education at the master’s level, through a master’s of business administration (MBA). No matter which route one takes into logistics and supply chain management, it will require a robust combination of both logistical and business knowledge.
Professional certification is not a requirement for logistics and supply chain managers, but it does present an opportunity to demonstrate one’s mastery of the subject. Professional certification acts as a mark of distinction and can be a valuable asset when applying for jobs in this field.
The American Society for Quality (ASQ) offers the Certified Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) credential, which is the top certification option for quality engineers working in logistics and supply chain management. Eligibility requirements include eight years of paid, full-time, relevant work experience. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree may waive four years of that requirement, and candidates with a master’s degree may waive five years.
Once deemed eligible, candidates must pass a 4.5-hour, 165-question exam. The exam’s content is centered around a body of knowledge that broadly includes the following subjects: supplier strategy; risk management; supplier selection and part qualification; supplier performance monitoring and improvement; supplier quality management; relationship management; and business governance, ethics, and compliance.
Exam fees total $398 for ASQ members and $498 for non-members. Those who do earn the CSQP credential will need to recertify every three years.
The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) designation for those who demonstrate knowledge of the essential technology, concepts, and strategies in extended supply chains. Eligible candidates will have one of the following: three years of business experience, a bachelor’s degree, or another active and relevant ASCM certification.
Once deemed eligible, candidates must pass a three-module exam that covers: supply chain design; supply chain planning and execution; and supply chain improvement and best practices.
Exam fees total $695 for ASCM PLUS members, and $965 for CORE members and nonmembers. CSCP-holders will need to recertify every five years by completing 75 professional development credits.
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about a wide range of engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on the potential impacts of major technological breakthroughs. His work largely centers around conversations with engineering faculty at top universities, highlighting their research in areas such as nuclear power, artificial intelligence, soft robotics, and semiconductor design. He’s also worked with leaders and subject matter experts at the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
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