Many workers may not have considered a career in the supply chain sector
The world today is constantly shifting, with markets and industries rising and falling faster than ever before. Amid all this change, many people may be seeking a new, preferably stable, career. Getting a supply chain job is an ideal path to take.
Modern business is inseparable from the logistics industry. Still, despite its cruciality, many workers may not have considered a career in this sector before.
Here are eight reasons why pursuing a supply chain job is a wise career move.
1. Competitive Pay
The most straightforward and, for many, most enticing reason to pursue a logistics career is the pay. According to the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), supply chain workers earned $78,750 on average in 2019. That’s 28% more than the median for workers in other industries with the same degree.
Even the bottom 10% of supply chain workers earned $52,130 a year. Employees in the top 10% made $158,000. These figures are impressive on their own, and 91% of supply chain employees say they have supplementary pay like bonuses and profit sharing.
2. Growing Job Availability
Workers should also have no trouble finding a supply chain job. Open positions in the industry are close to a 20-year high, and availability will likely keep growing. The world will always need supply chains. And as the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected, demand for workers will continue to rise.
The rise of e-commerce paints a promising future for workers looking to enter the logistics industry. As online shopping makes up a greater and greater share of overall spending, supply chain companies will need more workers to meet the rising demand.
3. Diverse Career Paths
The supply chain industry is not just a sizeable industry. It’s also a diverse one. Whether a job-seeker wants to move around, work in an office, travel, work with data, or work with their hands, there’s an option in logistics for them. There are also positions available for all educational backgrounds, with some openings requiring no degree and others fit for graduate degree holders.
As supply chains become increasingly tech-centric, this job diversity grows. Positions in areas like data science or robotics are now available in many logistics organizations.
4. High Job Satisfaction
Another reason to pursue a supply chain job is that workers in the field report high satisfaction. While 85% of workers across all industries say they’re displeased with their jobs, 80% of supply chain workers said they’re very satisfied with theirs. Most also said they’d likely stay in the industry for five or more years.
In the supply chain, workers always have work to do and accomplish meaningful tasks continually. Many also get to work with exciting new technologies, like autonomous guided vehicles and warehouse execution systems that optimize daily tasks and makes things easier for workers. All of this adds up to a satisfying, enticing career.
5. Transferable Skills
If workers don’t want to stay in the industry for many years, they can still benefit. Working in the supply chain can equip employees with skills they’ll need in other positions or sectors. Given the diversity of jobs and tasks in the industry, it also provides a diversity of skills.
Supply chain workers will gain experience in planning, analysis, time management, risk mitigation, and leadership. In some areas, they can also learn to work with data and how to optimize workflows. These skills will equip them to either move up in the industry or excel in other careers.
6. Low Barrier to Entry
While the high wages and growth potential may make logistics seem difficult to break into, that’s not the case. Many supply chain jobs have a comparatively low barrier to entry. Job-seekers from all backgrounds can find work in the supply chain.
Material handling machine operator positions, for example, often require no formal education and offer on-the-job training. Other positions in the industry, like logisticians or supply chain managers, are ideal for workers with a bachelor’s degree.
7. Flexibility
Many supply chain jobs also offer plenty of flexibility. In the aforementioned ASCM study, 52% of supply chain professionals said they could work remotely, and that was before the pandemic.
In the same study, 78% of workers said they have at least three weeks of paid time off, with 44% having more. Similarly, 68% have access to paid family or medical leave. All of these common benefits make supply chain careers remarkably flexible for workers with complicated schedules.
8. Room for Advancement
Finally, workers in the logistics industry enjoy plenty of upward mobility. Since supply chains involve many different jobs, there’s lots of room to move through the rankings. In a 2017 study, 73% of logistics workers said their salary increased within the past year.
The same study found that average salaries increased the longer workers stayed in the field, further indicating the potential for advancement. Workers who had been in the industry for upwards of 16 years earned more than $100,000 annually.
Find a Supply Chain Job Today
The supply chain is an ideal place to look for job-seekers today. With good pay, lots of benefits, job security, and high satisfaction, logistics positions are a tempting choice for workers of all backgrounds. Those in search of a new career should start with the supply chain.
Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized. She has over four years experience covering the industrial sector.
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