College Experiences That Helped a Global Supply Manager at a Top Tech Company Succeed
Many entry-level supply chain roles exist, including "analyst positions or in procurement," such as a buyer, with rotational programs offering a valuable way to explore various areas like sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics; Kyle's own eight-month rotations provided "a taste of different locations, different industries, and different functions," ultimately helping Kyle define their career path.
Supply Chain Management, Rotational Programs, Entry-Level Positions, Analyst Roles, Procurement
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kyle Worth
NPI Global Supply Manager
Fortune 100 Technology Company
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Technology
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Many entry-level supply chain roles exist, including sourcing, manufacturing, operations, quality, material management, and logistics, often as analyst or buyer positions.
2. Rotational programs are highly recommended as they offer exposure to various supply chain functions and help define career interests, providing valuable experience beyond internships.
3. Rotational programs can offer a taste of different locations and industries, allowing for exploration of different supply chain functions and career paths within the field.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
Supply chain is a huge field, encompassing areas like sourcing, manufacturing, operations, quality, material management, and logistics. There are many different ways to branch out within supply chain, and each has its own entry-level positions.
These roles often include analyst positions or procurement jobs, such as a buyer one. My biggest recommendation, as I've mentioned before, is to consider rotational programs. Supply chain is so vast that while you might learn about it in college, you don't always get to apply it.
Internships can help you apply your knowledge and might allow you to decide if you want to be a buyer or an operations supervisor on the shop floor. If you already know your desired path, that's great.
If not, a rotational program offers an excellent way to explore different aspects of supply chain. My rotations were eight months long, so I felt like a true employee during that time, not just a "glorified intern," a term sometimes used for such programs.
The company where I completed my rotational program treated me with respect as a full-time employee. I was able to experience different locations and industries because it was a conglomerate with three different companies. It also exposed me to various functions within supply chain.
This experience helped me pinpoint what I enjoyed most about supply chain and the industry.