Careers in Purchasing and Supply Management
Technology Solutions
One of the most valuable tools for supply managers around the globe is the Internet. The World Wide Web offers a fast and low-cost way to gather information on suppliers, products and services.
Every day, supply managers are surfing the Internet to:
- Source for suppliers
- View product demonstrations
- Track packages and shipments
- Conduct online bidding
- View electronic catalogs
- Research economic trends
- Check current exchange rates
- Order goods and services
- Research prices in commodity markets
- Explore price trends
- E-mail suppliers and colleagues
The usage and development of other e-commerce and technology tools allow organizations to forge tighter supply chain links with their suppliers and reduce the costs of doing business. New supply management tools and technologies are being created and adopted each day to increase the velocity of business and improve operational efficiencies. Supply managers are on the leading edge of business practices.
Where Will Supply Management Take You?
While negotiations, price strategies, contracts and budgets are all common areas in which supply management professionals can expect to work in the future, supply management is a career that can be applied to virtually any area of interest. Supply management departments encompass many different positions at various levels, and supply managers are involved in a truly broad career directly impacting an organization's profit and success.
In the future, supply managers will need to be prepared to add product value, increase quality, reduce costs and increase profits by addressing the needs of external and internal customers through such tools as supplier relations, supplier selection, negotiations, operations, transportation, inventory, warehousing, benchmarking, e-commerce, recycling, technology and customer relations.
Whatever the specific area(s) of interest you choose to pursue, there's no question that supply management plays, and will continue to play, a significant role in business and will continue to be an exciting and influential career opportunity well into the 21st century!
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