Supply Chain Operations Management
It is Not Enough to Know How; You Must Know Why.
Earn a degree in supply chain management and operations at York College. Our proximity to major manufacturers and healthcare service providers makes us a prime location to study supply chain operations.
Supply chain managers coordinate business activities within and between companies. They are responsible for planning, sourcing, making, and delivering products and services at the right price, in the right quantity, and at the right location for their customers.
In the Supply Chain Management degree program at York College, students are involved in highly experiential activities and learn by doing. Our mantra is “It is not enough to know how; you must know why.”
We take you to factories, warehouses, and ports to see manufacturing and distribution jobs firsthand. You’ll develop lasting relationships with supply chain leaders from Fortune 500 companies, right here on campus. You’ll discuss operational trends and challenges. You'll learn from faculty who have terminal degrees and real-world SCM experience.
When you graduate from our supply chain management program, you'll be capable of contributing to your company's success from day one. For the past three semesters, 100% of our Supply Chain Operations Management graduates were employed within three months of earning their degree.
Majoring in Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management Courses
Classes will prepare students for a rewarding career in designing, coordinating, and improving global supply chains. Supply chain management courses include:
- Supply Chain Analytics
- Lean Systems
- Six Sigma Process Management
- Production Planning and Control
- Enterprise Resource Planning (using SAP S/4HANA software)
- Logistics Management
4+1 Graduate Degree Opportunities
As a major in Supply Chain Operations Management, you may also choose to pursue a 4+1 program during your time at York College. This option allows you to complete both a B.S. in Supply Chain Operations Management and an M.A. in Strategic Leadership and Management in as few as five years.
Supply Chain Career Opportunities
As a graduate of the Supply Chain Operations Management program, you'll be sought after by national and international companies. Careers in supply chain management may include:
- Strategic sourcing and procurement
- International logistics
- Distribution and warehouse management
- Demand and supply planning
- Quality management
- Operations management
- Supply chain analytics
- Global supply chain management
Many of our Supply Chain majors receive job offers during their senior year, and 100% begin employment within three months of graduation. Our graduates have gone on to work at PepsiCo, Tesla, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Harley-Davidson, T.E. Connectivity, AT&T, Amazon, WellSpan Health, AstraZeneca, and a number of other organizations nationwide.
Supply Chain Management Salary
Wondering how much a person working in supply chain operations and management earns? According to ACSM's 2021 Supply Chain Salary and Career Report, "A typical starting salary for individuals entering the supply chain field is $60,000." The median salary for supply chain management professionals in the U.S., at a managerial level, is $86,000, with top earners reaching salaries over $175,000.
Benefits of a Degree in Supply Chain Operations
If you are interested in business and looking for a degree with great career potential, a bachelor's in supply chain operations management can open the door to a long and lucrative career path. Some of the many benefits of this degree include:
Employment Opportunities: Demand for supply chain professionals is expected to grow at a rate of 6% over the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Every year, hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs go unfilled due to lack of qualified applicants. Entry-level supply chain professionals often receive promotions early in their careers, allowing them to move quickly into upper-level management.
Job Stability: Supply chain management is one of the few fields that experience growth even during times of recession (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Career Flexibility: This degree does not bind you to a particular industry or a specific role within the supply chain field. You can work in any industry, such as supply chain consulting, manufacturing, healthcare administration, distribution and logistics, warehousing, just to name a few.
Travel Opportunities: Many supply chain management jobs provide opportunitiies for national or international travel.
Internships & Work Experience
Many students in the Supply Chain Management program complete at least one paid internship program with local and/or Fortune 500 companies. Through these internships, students gain real-world experience while also earning academic credits towards degree completion. Faculty provide support throughout the internship program and advise students in future career opportunities.
Students have interned at companies such as:
- BAE Systems
- Boeing
- DHL
- Fenner Drives
- Harley Davidson
- Johnson Controls
- Textron
- Wellspan
- York Container
Mentorship & Community
Relationship-building is a hallmark of the supply chain management program. As mentors, faculty members help students develop professional skills for career success. Supply chain graduates benefit from the “pay it forward” ethos of our strong and growing alumni network.
The ASCM (Association of Supply Chain Management) student chapter provides opportunities for students to build leadership and networking skills. Student members coordinate with supply chain professionals to arrange local plant tours and host guest speakers on campus. Students also interact with peers from other Mid-Atlantic institutions while competing in local and national student case study competitions.
Past plant tours have included:
- Hershey Factory
- Port of Baltimore
- Port of Philadelphia
- Amazon distribution facility (Middletown, DE)
- DHL warehouse (York, PA)
- Starbucks Roasting plant (York, PA)
With the help of the local community, York College's Supply Chain Operations Management students have access to the following scholarship opportunities:
- Donald F. Hess Award
- Frederick Bulleit Scholarship
- PepsiCo Supply Chain Operations Management Scholarship
- American Production Inventory Control Society Scholarship
Supply Chain Manager Skills and Competencies
To be an effective supply chain professional, you will need to balance technical knowledge with a variety of "soft" skills. In a recent survey conducted by ASCM, analytical skills were identified as most desirable, followed by people skills and communications skills. The Supply Chain Management major will help you to grow as a well-rounded professional, and will even prepare you to earn your master’s degree if desired.
Successful supply chain managers are:
- Strong communicators and leaders
- Attentive and analytical-minded
- Adaptive and constantly learning
- Great problem-solvers and decision-makers
To develop this desirable skill set, students in the Supply Chain Operations Management program:
- develop a broad understanding of the qualitative and quantitative supply chain domain within the Plan-Source-Make-Deliver-Returns (PSMDR) framework
- analyze data using the latest technology platforms (e.g., SAP S/4HANA and Tableau) to provide business decisions and support digital transformation efforts
- complete course projects that require leadership and teamwork
- present project analyses and recommendations in a succinct and professional manner to faculty and students
- practice soft skills that help with negotiation and crisis management when dealing with suppliers, customers, and team members
Supply Chain Management Minor
The Supply Chain Management minor helps students develop skills to manage and improve the flow of material, information, and finance across the supply chain. This minor prepares students for entry-level positions such as:
- Buyer
- Logistics analyst
- Supply chain analyst
- Warehouse supervisor
Many students who pursue a degree in supply chain operations often choose complementary minors or secondary degrees for a well-rounded education and skillset. These complementary minors can include:
- International Business
- Information Systems
- Business Analytics
- Economics
- Accounting
- Operations Management
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
The Supply Chain Operations Management, B.S., program is accredited by ACBSP.
This accreditation focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement model. ACBSP’s student-centered teaching and learning approach, which is measured and analyzed for quality, ensures that students gain the right skills from their educational investment. Institutions with programs accredited by ACBSP are committed to continuous improvement that ensures their business program will give students the skills employers want.
Supply Chain Courses
Your class schedule will include core courses for your major, Gen Next general education classes, and electives.
| Course Name | Course Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain Analytics | QBA 330 | 3 Credits |
| Lean Systems | SCM 320 | 3 Credits |
| Six Sigma Process Management | SCM 325 | 3 Credits |
| Logistics Management | SCM 340 | 3 Credits |
| Enterprise Resource Planning | SCM 481 | 3 Credits |
Careers in Supply Chain Management
These are just a few of the many career opportunities graduates of the Supply Chain Management degree may find:
Project Manager
Operations Research Analyst
Logistician
Operations Manager
Distribution Manager
Production Clerk
Build your dream career, one day at a time.
This is day one. From your first semester on campus through graduation day, York College offers expert advice, professional development opportunities, and personalized support to help you navigate the choices that influence your future.
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