Supply Chain Management Careers With a Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management Online

Supply chain management (SCM) is essential to businesses across the globe. SCM involves coordinating every step of the production and distribution of goods, from sourcing raw materials to delivering a final product. SCM can pertain to services as well as physical goods. 

In our fast-paced, globalized economy, supply chains must be as efficient as possible. Good supply chain managers look at the systems and find possibilities for improvement, then work out how to implement them. This exciting field is rife with opportunities for those with an advanced education in SCM, such as that offered through the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a Specialization in Supply Chain Management program. 

Defining Supply Chain Management 

According to IBM, supply chain management (SCM) is “the coordination of external partners and both internal resources and operations management.” Global supply chains comprise a complex network of materials, labor and distribution power.  

SCM generally consists of five stages: planning, sourcing, manufacturing, delivery and returns. Each of these has its own subcomponents, which warrant attention and study for future supply chain managers.  

SCM’s complexity is why inefficient management can threaten profits, time and overall business success, whereas efficient management offers opportunities for business growth. In addition, ecologically minded SCM can reduce waste and improve energy efficiency by, for example, prioritizing sourcing materials and labor closer to a manufacturing site or final delivery point.  

Effective business managers also apply strategic approaches to SCM to support their decision-making. Familiarity with these concepts — like lean supply chain management, Six Sigma and total quality management — can help managers choose strategies based on their distinct needs, budgets, capabilities and long-term priorities. 

Is Supply Chain Management a Good Career? 

SCM is suited to people who enjoy problem-solving and seek wide-scope projects to tackle in their work, according to Indeed. It is a field that allows for constant improvement, requires flexibility and can be hugely rewarding for those who like a challenge.  

Careers in the field are seeing growth rates ranging from above-average to exceptionally high. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that purchasing agent job openings will increase by 7% through 2033, higher than the average of all occupations, while logistician job openings are expected to increase by 19%. 

Supply Chain Management Jobs for SIUE Graduates 

Many different roles are available to those studying supply chain management. Graduates may pursue careers as purchasing agents, logistics analysts, distribution managers, logisticians and operations managers. 

Purchasing agents “buy products and services for organizations,” according to BLS. Their median salary was $79,830 in 2024. Logisticians analyze and coordinate the supply chain for their organizations. The logistician role is ideal for big-picture thinkers across many different industries. These professionals earned a median salary of $80,880 in 2024.  

Those in higher-level and supervisory roles can earn six-figure salaries. For example, operations managers received a median annual salary of $101,280 in 2023, per BLS. Distribution managers earned $102,010 as of 2024. These professionals receive higher salaries due to the nature of their work, such as overseeing multiple teams, departments or locations, as well as planning, directing and coordinating operations or the movement of goods. 

For those ready for an interesting career challenge, SCM offers many opportunities. A good place to start is with a program specializing in SCM concepts and skills, like the online BSBA in Supply Chain Management from SIUE. 

Learn more about SIUE’s online BSBA with a Specialization in Supply Chain Management program.