5 top tips for someone new to SCM

Someone raised an important question about what should a newcomer to the SCM profession be thinking about if they wish to make a splash in joining the function. So I collect some pieces of information from the supply chain leaders of the industry and mix it up here in this blog. 

Here are the top five tips:

Be humble: Learn from everyone. From your colleagues in the function and from other stakeholders. You’re going to be on a steep learning curve, and you won’t have the answers yet. Embrace the learning experience and don’t be too pushy in offering your solutions. Your boss will respect your desire to learn.

Understand the role SCM plays in the organization: Do senior executives and stakeholder functions consider the function strategic or is it considered more of an operational support function? Different business sectors have differing expectations of the role; some high, some less so.

Understand the SCM strategy: What are the SCM leader goals and targets? Try and get your own contribution clearly defined, so you have real clarity on what you have to do.

Be patient: Learn those technical procurement skills that help you bring tangible value to the organization. Accept that becoming truly competent will take time and that stakeholders will expect you to be developing and demonstrating expertise. Being nice and collaborative won’t be enough. You need to add value.

Recognize that managing supply chains and suppliers are not all collaboration and ‘partnering’:

Sometimes you have to be tough, and even unforgiving if supplier performance is poor. Your internal stakeholders will expect you to be no pushover. You might want to prioritize developing your negotiation skills, as your ability to influence internally and externally is going to be particularly important.

-Gazi Sanaul Hasan