Trump's return to the White House could mean big changes for energy, tariffs, and immigration. 🚀 What will expanding shale gas production, selective tariffs on China, and stricter immigration policies mean for industries across America? Dive into our latest expert analysis to see what's coming and how industries should prepare. Let's embrace these changes as opportunities! 💡

Check out the full analysis here

https://strategicsourcingpulse.blogspot.com/2024/11/navigating-trumps-america-energy.html

I had paid for one of the CSCMP SCPro Fundamentals Exams (Supply Chain Principles) over a year ago. Due to some family issues, I didn’t get a chance to go in to access the study materials but thought I had a whole year to access. I actually had about three months. Since I’ve already paid for the test, I was hoping someone would have some study materials available or could direct me to some? I’ve been in sc for over a decade but I’m positive this will all be definition based and I really just need their terminology.

Hi, I have 3 years of warehouse experience half as management in a distribution center, and a fulfillment center over seeing the Outbound flow operations and planning, (at the distribution center spent over a year overseeing flow operations for the whole facility.)

I also have several months working as a logistics planner.

Recently, I've been studying online supply chain fundamentals across all fields and ares, with accredited partner certificates from CSCMP.

Where do I begin to look to get started in the larger picture of Supplychain, after a 1 year break of work and self teaching through LinkedIn Learning partner Certificate paths, Salesforce, and Dynamic 365 from Microsoft, along with some data analysis using Tableau.

How do people get into the office side of supply chain? I've been in warehouses for over 10 years, the last 8 as a supervisor or manager. I have CSCP cert. I'm ready to get off the concrete floor and away from the noise of conveyor belts and MHE; but if I look at Buyer or Purchaser jobs or even jobs posted as Assistant Buyer, they all require 4+ years of buying experience. How do I transition? I have a family, mortgage, etc. So starting at the bottom making just over minimum wage isn't really an option...

I'm developing a SaaS platform focused on tackling critical pain points in the aluminum supply chain, but I’d love to hear from experts across all supply chain sectors. Specifically, I’m interested in understanding which features would provide the most impact for your operations..not just “nice-to-haves” but the tools you feel are absolutely essential for overcoming your biggest challenges, pains and bottlenecks.

Your insights will be invaluable in shaping a solution that directly addresses the real world challenges faced in various supply chains. I’m grateful for any feedback you can share!

View Poll

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/04/business/tariffs-donald-trump-prices/index.html

Was just curious for those of you who work in warehouse operations, does your company use RFID technology to track inventory movement? My company doesn’t and we have a few gaps in terms of inventory visibility, and to me RFID seems to be a great fix all to our grey areas. So, for those of you who use these technologies, is it worth it? Also, are there any areas for improvement? Are you just using the software that comes with the scanners or are you utilizing other warehouse inventory softwares?

Hey everyone, I’m 37 and considering a shift into a full-fledged career in Supply Chain Management, but I’ve been worried that I might be too old to make this leap. I’ve been wondering if the industry has any expectations or biases regarding age when it comes to hiring, especially for roles where you may need to work your way up or compete with younger candidates who might have fresh degrees or more up-to-date training.

A little about my background: I’m not coming in without any experience. In fact, I’ve worked extensively in logistics and shipping, both domestically and internationally. I spent several years consulting for companies, where I was deeply involved in streamlining shipping costs, solving backend software issues, and managing daily shipping tasks. I’ve also worked on packaging and quality control for high-profile projects, including handling trophies and awards for NBA. There, I managed complex shipping operations, from 3PL solutions to EEI filings and harmonized codes, and even coordinated with partners like Kith and BMW.

So, while I have a strong logistical foundation and experience with high-pressure, precise shipping operations, my concern is whether entering a more structured supply chain role at 37 puts me at a disadvantage. Would companies be willing to take a chance on someone my age, even with a background that’s not “traditional” supply chain but still highly relevant?

Also just to add, I went back to school with hopes to transfer next spring to Arizona State University and apply to the SCM program.

Just want some insight on this whole thing. Appreciate the help!

Openly stating that this isn’t politics or election discussions.

I’ve been asked by our executive team to verify country of origin on all products, look at import codes and model out, worst and medium case scenario’s for Trump tariffs. Based on the previous tariffs enacted. A secondary ask was to look through NAFTA, and understand how sourcing from Mexico and Canada could be impacted! (That’s a new one for me).

Additionally they want price increase recommendations if the board decides to move forward with preemptive plans.

While I truly despise this kind of work, I’m stating it here because I am sure that many of you or your heads of department will start having similar discussions.

Source: VP of Logistics, Supply and Distribution

So I’ve been in warehouse jobs since I was 16, I’m currently 29. Most of my warehouse experience is in pharmaceuticals. I’ve done it all from associate to warehouse manager. I’ve reached a point in my life where I’ve decided I want to become an inventory specialist and move out of the manual labor side of it. I’m not keen on managing people(or even talking to people) and I like the structure of managing inventory.

This Certification felt like something that could really put me into a more professional career and help me to be taken seriously and be paid accordingly. However, I’m starting to worry I’m in over my head.

I did a lot of research and because I don’t want to get a degree, I landed on CPIM. I bought it today and I am very overwhelmed by the content. I figured with my experience I’d understand most of it but this feels like a course you take after you’ve gotten a degree in the field.

I was way too confident in my knowledge and now I’m second guessing my decision, is this really going to help me get into the career I want? Is it realistic to think I can do this if I feel like a complete beginner to the terminology?

UPDATE: Was not expecting the outpour of support and encouragement. I am genuinely so thankful for y’all’s kind words. I’m going to study an hour a day, get the pocket prep, and download speechify. Y’all are amazing thank you!

I have worked in various supply chain roles (tech industry) for the past decade. I’m currently burned out on evening meetings with other time zones (mostly Asia) multiple nights a week. It is difficult to perform my role sufficiently and be present with my young kids (missing dinners, bedtimes, etc.). Anyone have any tips for companies with US or North America based supply chains that I might look into for a future role?

Which one would you choose and why?

Has anyone had any luck with self study for the CSCP? The learning system is currently listed as $1,390 on ASCM's website. My thoughts are to ask my employer to pay for the learning system now, self study for 3-4 months, complete an instructor-led exam prep, and then ask my employer to pay for the exam.

The bundle is $2,515 and I don't see them approving that amount or any of the instructor-supported, instructor-led courses right now.

I have a varied background as a 32 year old male. But will cut to the chase. Been in sales since 2019. Started off in contract renewals and account management and did that for about 2.5 years. Since 2022 I have been in sales operations analysis. Industries I worked in were in software, renewable energy and more recently, aviation.

I worked with different departments and various works such as working on and sourcing tenders, exposure to EDI software, sales forecasting, project planning etc. Most of my work has been based off sales performance reporting and all the KPI reporting and various related tasks that come with the role.

My skills are varied and I learnt alot on the job. I have used and doing reporting and dashboarding using Salesforce, power bi and PRISM. I have used other tools such as SAP and Netsuite and of course, alot of excel. I finished a graduate certificate in data science where I had to use Python and R - But I dont remember shit lol.

I am finding myself to wanting to leave sales all together and believe I have alot of transferrable skills to bring the supply chain field. What courses should I do to gain entry?

Should I do a Masters in supply chain management/operations management?

Hi there , I have a very basic operational/cost question I’m hoping to get a pointer in.

I’m working with an NGO that does several service roles for homeless rehousing initiatives , and they have two use cases where they need to manage inventory coming in and request going out , and they have essentially no system for managing it outside a Google doc where requests are made. M

It’s not huge , four or five storage rooms at a few locations.

What’s the most cost effective (shoestring budget of course) small scale system they could implement.

I know this may be at the wrong level for this sub , if so can you help out with a pointer?

Hi guys,

I am looking to import some goods from Asia to the US. I am looking at suppliers. One of them is Expeditors, can you give me some reviews about them?

I work in coffee and I’ll have the responsibility of sourcing at some point at a decently sized warehouse. (Goal is to get a job that is mainly sourcing or inentory related)

Absolutely love Excel and using Python for data analysis but I’m not too familiar with many of the industry terms and would love to learn some more complex concepts related to SCM. Where should I start?

Hello from Canada 👋🏻

First off, this post is not to start any debate or discussion regarding the actual election and the new president.

Secondly, I am very curious to hear the thoughts of fellow supply chain members about what we should be expecting over the next few years. Concerns? New opportunities? Expectations? Areas to keep focus on? Etc...

I am a Canadian procurement manager so if you have any thoughts on the US/Canada supply chain, feel free to share!

I've been at my current job for seven years and been in the logistics role since 2020. All of my training was done in a month and all additional "training" has been done by myself finding free seminars and such. The company I work for has been doing worse and worse due to declining sales and issues getting materials. Plus, they refuse to pay for an ongoing training.

So, I'd like to start looking and training for a new job. Would prefer remote but willing to move to a blue state for a job (currently live in a deep red one). I'm making $51,000 in my current role.

My duties include:

• Importing containers of finished goods from Central America (filling out ISFs for broker, coordinating with warehouse and 3PL for delivery)
• Exporting containers of materials to Central America (making bookings, creating MBOLs and Commercial Invoices, filing the EEIs on the Automated Export System (AES), providing all paperwork to the 3PLs we use)
• Coordinating with freight companies to get our air shipments picked up quickly and delivered on time to customers
• Ensure we are following all rules/regulations for C-TPAT compliance

I've saved my company thousands of dollars by changing what companies we use and how we move our goods/materials. I've made actual SOPs instead of the handful of handwritten scribbles I was given by the person who trained me. Convinced our company to get our shippers HAZMAT certified because the one person in our company who was HAZMAT certified had quit.

So, I've got some experience but I'm not sure what roles I should look for or work on training for. I doubt I'd be good at sales (have never been in a sales position). Since I've only been at one company with little training (outside of what free seminars I've found online), I don't really know what my chances are against people with degrees or multiple roles. I'm not looking to make bank, just be comfortable.

I'm a Supply chain Management major here starting in a few months.

Whenever I tell others about it, they search it up and do research on it and say stuff like it's not prestigious and how these managers or even entry level roles work in shitty old warehouses etc.

Everyone looks at this major like it's complete garbage and on the streets type of vibe because of working in a warehouse.

Could you work in offices too or is it just all warehouses for this major like I'm talking about entry level and manager work environments?

Looking at working towards my SCMP in Alberta. What do I need to do in order to get the ball rolling.

I see the fee for membership is $440 a year? Do I need this?

Course start Jan 2025. How many can I expect to take while having a full time job?

Workshops/Seminars. This too how many should I expect to take being I work full time.

Any information at all would be helpful.

I'm graduating high school quite soon and am planning on applying to business school and then taking co-ops and moving into a supply-chain profession. What does the job entail exactly (just getting things where they need to be on time)? How can you move up the corporate ladder through this profession/career?

I’m 30M, middle manager in a big corporate. My exp is mainly logistics. I also got several apics certificates and a master in supply chain. Overall, I’m doing well professionally and financially.

Problem: Imposter syndrome has been hitting me hard recently. I’m more of a generalist who knows a little bit of everything but I feel like I’m expert in none. I can interact well with people to get results but I question myself who I would be if I stood alone. Where is my inner value?

Anyone having same feelings/problems? What are your perspectives?

Hello all,

I am having some difficulty calculating the costs of deliver per delivery point in a Milk Run system.

I have a cistern truck that delivers to 1 to 6 delivery points per load. Deliveries are of multiple products and at different quantities.

The truck is charged to me on a per km value and a per day value.

Concerning the km, I did the following - let's assume 3 Delivery Points (DP):

• Truck driver notes the odometer reading at: departure, at each delivery point and at arrival;
• DP 1 takes the km cost until that point divided by 3;
• DP 2 takes the km cost until DP1 divided by 3 + km from DP1 to DP2 divided by 2;
• DP 3 takes the km cost until DP1 divided by 3 + km from DP1 to DP2 divided by 2 + km from DP2 to DP3 divided by 1.
• Return km divided equally by the 3 DP's and summed (I am not sure about this one, so any recommendations welcome!);
• The costs for each DP are then divided in a weighted average by the quantities of each product delivered at each DP (we have to allocate the cost as €/kg of the product);

This is for km, which seems +/- figured out. My main grip is with the daily fixed cost.

It is usual that a truck loads today and only returns to load again tomorrow, while it did these 3 DP's (it is large distances, not city deliveries). It can also happen that the truck loads a half load to deliver at a very close customer and returns 2h later to make a larger delivery.

This last bit I am unsure how to calculate. A few ideas:

• Consider the time spent between departing and returning from and to our warehouse for each milk run and calculate the hourly costs from the daily cost;

• Divide the fixed cost directly by the quantities delivered at each point in a weighted average (this is what we were doing until now, but there was no km cost before);

• Divide the fixed cost similarly as the km cost;

I am more inclined to the following:

• Consider the time spent between departing and returning from and to our warehouse for each milk run and calculate the hourly costs from the daily cost;

• Then, divide this on a per DP, using the same procedure as the km cost explained before - DP1 takes less cost and increases with each DP.

Thank you all for your help!

Happy Wednesday everyone,

Please use this thread to post related news articles and discuss them, ask questions pertaining to your managed categories within your industry, and/or discuss any other industry news. Rule 3 still applies here, do not advertise your business or service.

I recently got accepted for an Area Manager Intern at Amazon and waiting on an official offer. Wondering if anyone here knows what the compensation is for the position and how much should I expect? Is there room for negotiation?

I got recent graduated from Technician in international trade operations and I've sent my CV around 300 times and is always "after watch all the CV we are sorry but we choose another one" and I don't know why is so hard to get a job