Business owners respect supply chain consultants because their advice is a key to profitability. Supply management consultants provide input to ensure the production of superior products at lower costs. Supply chain consultants education and training is vital to keep these experts current with information for success.

A supply chain consultant needs the training to provide guidance at every stage of production, beginning with the acquisition of the necessary raw materials. This consultant also requires the training to supervise the various stages of production. Finally, the education of the consultant must be adequate to provide the skills to find the most cost effective delivery to the customers.

1. The education necessary for a successful supply chain optimization consulting expert should include skills for guiding production in a global marketplace.

2. A well trained supply chain consultant supervises production to ensure that the activities of employees focus on working as a team to achieve a valuable product at a competitive price.

3. Supply chain consultants education and training includes knowledge of each element of supply chain management. Training and education should prepare the aspiring supply chain manager to improve planning, production and distribution, as well as all of the components in between.

Action Steps
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Enroll in degree courses with a focus on supply chain management consulting

Supply chain consultants education and training can provide the basic building blocks for a career field in great demand. Businesses around the world succeed or fail because of effective and efficient supply chain management. Supply chain consulting firms need experts with college degrees to advise businesses on supply chain management, which leads to increased profits.

I recommend: A degree specific to this field will provide qualifications attractive to the personnel departments of a great number of businesses. The University of San Francisco Online trains supply management consultants to work successfully with small and large businesses around the world. The MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics is a revered name because of the superior quality of its educational program.

Apply to firms with intern and mentoring programs for a supply chain management consultant

A thoughtful, experienced mentor is a great way to learn the business. Several firms concentrate on pairing newcomers with mentors who provide on-the-job training. Other firms hire interns who gain on-the-job training and education as an SCM consultant, which helps to get a foot in the door of many desirable firms.

I recommend: Check out the firms that stress the importance of continuous training through practical experience. PRTM.com emphasizes the importance of a system where more experienced employees continually train the newcomers to the firm. Dow continues to succeed because of excellent supply chain management and careful training of each and every employee.

Attend workshops and seminars for SCM consultants

Supply chain consultants education and training requires knowledge of the latest information, techniques and case studies. Workshops and seminars for SCM consultants will provide information from the cutting edge. Highly successful supply chain consulting firms are prime movers at these expositions and seminars presented around the world.

I recommend: The Reverse Logistics Association organizes trade shows in business centers around the world, where superior supply chain consulting companies meet. Any supply chain consultant determined to attain the best information will find an extensive menu of programs at Supplychain-Consulting.com. Supply chain management consultants from around the world mix at the seminars and workshops to acquire current information from the formal presentations and from informal contact with experienced colleagues.

If you work in manufacturing or distribution, you know that supply chain management can make or break your cost and production projections. If you have a break in your supply chain, it can cripple your business. If you have an excess of material incoming, you'll have storage costs well beyond your budget. That's why it's important to bring in a supply chain consultant to help you plan for your company's logistical needs.

Professionals working in supply chain consulting are well-versed in how to meet the needs of businesses such as yours. While working as a SCM consultant, these professionals learn how to minimize lead times and inventory levels while maximizing your company's productivity. This will, of course, maximize your profit and thus explains why supply chain consulting firms are in such high demand in today's market.

When looking to bring SCM consultants into your company, among the key points to consider are:

1. The experience of the supply chain management consulting firm in your industry.

2. The availability of supply chain management consultants in your local area.

3. The methods employed by a supply chain optimization consulting firm.

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Choose a supply chain management consultant with experience in your particular industry

You don't need anyone to tell you the unique needs of your industry, you know them keenly. So when hiring a supply chain consultant, it's imperative that they already know your industry and its quirks. This saves you the time and effort of trying to explain why you work in certain industry-accepted ways to green supply management consultants.

I recommend: Bristlecone Services has experience in a wide variety of industries, increasing the odds of your SCM consultant knowing your business.

Find supply chain consulting firms as close to your location as possible

When working with SCM consultants, it's imperative that they work with you on site at your facility; that's the only way they can really understand what you do to give you the best optimization solutions. If you work with supply chain consulting companies from outside your local area, you will incur higher costs due to their travel expenses.

I recommend: Archstone Consulting offers several different offices both in the United States and abroad.

Ensure that your supply chain consultants' methods fit with your business's goals

While it should go without saying that your supply chain management consulting firm's workflow should lend themselves to furthering your goals for your business, this isn't always the case. It's important to fully vet out the methods by which they intend to optimize your processes ahead of time so that you can be assured that the end product fits your needs.

I recommend: The Progress Group touts its process as one focused on your success as the benchmark.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When choosing amongst supply chain consulting companies, ask that the team that will be assigned to your project meet with you at your facility. This can help you feel comfortable with how they will interact with your employees.

Supply management consultants provide strategies to address the product life cycle of goods, services and merchandise from their origin to ultimate delivery for consumption in the marketplace. Boost your knowledge of certain key terms before choosing a consultant or outsourcing the company's third party logistics.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Supply chain model

A supply chain model is a system of transporting goods, services or merchandise from the manufacturer to the customer. The process originates with the producer and encompasses each phase of moving the product to a final destination for consumption. There are a number of different types of logistic systems offered by various companies.

I recommend: Future Supply Chain offers a look at an integrated supply chain model.

Supply Chain Council (SCC) and Supply-Chain Operations Reference (SCOR)

The Supply Chain Council (SCC) is a thought leader in providing supply chain solutions for consultants in the field. The SCC designed the Supply-Chain Operations Reference model, known as SCOR, which is a primary industry standard supply chain model adapted by many companies. This tool measures supply chain performance at every logistical stage of transportation and is applicable for global or individual site chain process models.

I recommend: Review the SCC website and their SCOR model in more detail.

Certified supply chain professional

Supply chain consultants often seek certification as a supply chain professional with credentials in logistical operations and administrative infrastructure management.

I recommend: The Association for Operations Management (APICS) is one of the main organization that offers CSCP and CPMI certification programs and training.

Supply chain management (SCM)

Supply chain management (SCM) is a process encompassing value-chain concepts, planning, procurement, inbound/outbound logistical transportation, inventory management and distribution networks.

I recommend: Accenture is a leader in domestic and global SCM consulting.

Reverse logistics

Reverse logistics, also known as return product movement management, are operational activities related to the reuse of products, repair, return of merchandise, recycling of materials or supply chain after market processes. In addition, reverse logistics removes outdated products or overstock merchandise from the supply chain flow.

I recommend: Peruse examples of reverse logistics activities related to supply chain management and consulting at the Reverse Logistics Association website.

Third party logistics (3PL)

Third party logistics (3PL) is the practice of outsourcing one or more of the responsibilities of supply chain management to a separate company. If you want to outsource some of your supply chain management responsibilities, seek a certified supply chain professional to help you develop a supply chain model that serves your company's specific logistical needs.

I recommend: 12manage offers an in-depth explanation of third party logistics as it relates to supply chain consulting.