What Can You Do With a Master's in Supply Chain Management?

If you’re looking for the skills and credentials that can help advance your business career and have an interest in overseeing the movement of products, services, information, and finances within global supply networks, consider pursuing a Master’s in Supply Chain Management degree. So, what can you do with a Master’s in Supply Chain Management?

Supply chain management covers key areas like procurement, manufacturing, logistics, sustainability, and risk management. Professionals require strong analysis and strategic decision-making skills, as well as proficiencies in operational metrics and industry methods such as Lean Six Sigma, and the SCOR model: Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, Return, and Enable.

Related Reading: What Is a Master’s in Supply Chain Management?

I have really been impressed with the resources provided [through] Bellevue… and that has been a huge advantage to me. I am excited to share that I have accepted an Area Manager internship with Amazon…and I am looking forward to really exploring the options which are opening to me related to the skills I have and the opportunities which are out there in the vast supply chain related network.

– Rebecca Wetzel, Bellevue University Supply Chain, Transportation & Logistics student

Common Career Paths for Supply Chain Management Graduates

A Master’s in Supply Chain Management equips you with the knowledge and tools to lead, innovate, and optimize supply chains in nearly any industry. Whether you're aiming to upskill, pivot careers, or move into a strategic leadership role, this degree can open doors and significantly elevate your professional trajectory.

Expertise in supply chain management can help you to enhance operational efficiency and lead strategic initiatives. A Master’s in Supply Chain Management degree prepares graduates for mid-to advanced-level careers in roles such as:

  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Logistics Manager
  • Purchasing Manager
  • Import/export manager
  • Procurement Manager or Chief Procurement Officer
  • Operations Manager
  • Demand Planner/Analyst
  • Materials Manager
  • Production Planner
  • Inventory Controller

Discover careers that might best suit your personal goals by taking a career assessment through Bellevue University Career Services.

Industries That Value a Supply Chain Management Degree

A degree in supply chain management is highly valued across a wide range of industries that depend on efficient operations, logistics, and global coordination. Organizations in both the public and private sectors seek professionals who can optimize supply chains, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

Jobs with a supply chain degree are not limited to manufacturing but also include these industries:

  • Transportation and Logistics: to manage shipping, warehousing, and distribution network including imports/exports
  • Military/Government and Defense: to support procurement, logistics, and supply operations
  • Healthcare, Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply: for ensuring timely delivery of critical supplies and medications
  • Technology and Electronics: for coordinating global production and just-in-time delivery
  • Manufacturing: for sourcing raw materials and managing production lines
  • Retail and E-commerce: to handle inventory, fulfillment, and customer delivery
  • Hospitality, Food and Beverage and Service Industry: to oversee sourcing, storage, and perishable goods logistics
  • Energy and Utilities: for managing large-scale equipment sourcing and project logistics

These sectors require skilled individuals to oversee logistics, manage inventory, and develop strategies for cost-efficient operations. For example, a Supply Chain Manager in retail might focus on optimizing inventory to meet customer demand while minimizing costs.

Skills You’ll Develop in a Master’s in Supply Chain Management

Supply chain professionals require a blend of skills, including business acumen in a global environment, financial responsibility, data analysis, risk management, and ethical, social, and economic management through sustainability. Graduate students in supply chain and logistics learn how to:

  • Use data analytics and forecasting to guide strategic decisions
  • Apply Lean Six Sigma and DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodologies to reduce waste and increase efficiency and performance
  • Address sustainability, ethical sourcing, and reverse logistics
  • Mitigate risks across global supply networks

In addition to these skills, programs in supply chain management often prepare students for professional credentials like Lean Six Sigma. For example, the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management at Bellevue University will prepare you to sit for Lean Six Sigma supply chain industry certifications through exposure to and understanding of various topics within the exams.

By honing these skills, preparing for certifications, and practicing advanced skills in strategic decision-making, problem-solving and analysis throughout the program, Bellevue graduates are well-prepared to influence business outcomes and drive organizational success.

To develop as supply chain leaders, students will build on critical supply chain knowledge and use proactive risk management and problem-solving skills while considering the financial impact in real-life case studies and projects.

– Rick Pennington, D.B.A., M.B.A., Program Director and Associate Professor, Supply Chain Management at Bellevue University

Further Certifications

Beyond a degree in supply chain management, you can expand your expertise and your resume with additional certifications or education, depending on your career goals. (Specific industry-recognized examinations and prerequisites may apply.)

Some popular and sought-after certifications include:

  • Lean Six Sigma
  • DMAIC
  • APICS
  • SCPro
  • PMPⓇ

Continuing education in the form of courses or certificates and professional development helps you, as an MS in Supply Chain graduate, stay competitive and adapt to evolving industry trends.

By starting a Bellevue University business degree journey, you're not just building a career, you're embracing a global mindset and a network of peers that spans industries and continents.

– Dr. Randa Zalman, Associate Professor, Bellevue University College of Business

Discover Where a Master’s in Supply Chain Management Can Take You

A Master’s in Supply Chain Management opens the door to a world of opportunity in today’s fast-moving, globally connected economy. Whether you’re passionate about streamlining operations, driving sustainability, or solving complex logistics challenges, this degree equips you with the tools to lead and innovate across industries. From tech to healthcare, retail to manufacturing, supply chain professionals are in demand—and your expertise could be the key to transforming how businesses deliver value around the world.

If you’re ready to elevate your career and expand your professional opportunities, find out how pursuing a Master’s in Supply Chain Management could be the next step toward achieving your goals.

Related resources we think you’ll like.

What Is a Master’s in Supply Chain Management?
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