Supply Chain and Operations Management Degree Concentration

The Supply Chain and Operations Management degree concentration offers a comprehensive focus on global supply chain management, emphasizing hands-on experiences and real-world problem-solving to prepare students for diverse career paths in the industry.

Curriculum and Course Offerings

The program incorporates a concentration in operations management and logistics, designed to provide students with a robust understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes. Students engage in courses covering sourcing, logistics, quality management, operations planning, and enterprise resource systems, along with one elective, to gain a comprehensive view of supply chain management.

Key courses in the curriculum include MGT 431: Logistics Management, which delves into the firm's movement, storage, and support activities required for product delivery, and MGT 432, focusing on global strategic sourcing and supplier selection. MGT 451 addresses manufacturing-oriented planning and scheduling systems, while MGT 453 introduces students to quality management systems and process improvement topics. Quality management is emphasized as a critical component for achieving sustainable business success.

Career Paths and Industry Opportunities

Graduates with a concentration in Supply Chain and Operations Management pursue various career paths, including roles as consultants, logistics managers, and operations managers. They find employment in supply chain management positions with manufacturers, retailers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and other sectors of the industry.

Alumni from the program have successfully joined major supply chains such as DHL, Shark/Ninja, Textron, and Grainger. The program emphasizes experiential learning, with students exposed to real-world projects alongside successful corporate professionals, preparing them for fast-paced and dynamic careers.

Experiential Learning and Faculty Expertise

The program emphasizes experiential learning through simulations, mentorship, guest speakers, case competitions, and applied client projects. These hands-on experiences are designed to shape students into successful professionals by providing practical insights into the complexities of supply chain management.

Faculty members bring real-world experience to the classroom and have received teaching and research awards, enhancing the educational experience for students. The Department of Management, where the program is housed, is located at 3056 Farmer School of Business, 800 East High Street, Oxford, OH 45056, under the leadership of Chair Xiaowen Huang.

Industry Challenges and Innovations

Current challenges in the supply chain sector include labor shortages, with 76% of operations experiencing workforce shortages and 61% describing them as extreme. Strategies to address these issues include automating non-value-added and repetitive tasks, co-mingling operations for scale and synergy, and optimizing delivery routes. Additionally, a significant number of companies are collaborating with trade schools and universities to attract talent, while also considering workforce diversity, including immigrants and people with disabilities, as alternative labor sources.

Innovations in the field, such as automated real-time shipment tracking and targeted automation, are being utilized to enhance supply chain resilience and financial stability. The FSMA Rule 204 is noted as a regulatory catalyst for digital traceability in the agricultural supply chain, highlighting the industry's ongoing transformation amid global trade uncertainties.

Events like MHI's ProMat 2025, which saw record attendance from manufacturing and supply chain professionals, and the NextGen Supply Chain Conference, which seeks industry leaders to share insights, underscore the vibrant and evolving nature of the supply chain landscape.

Survey reveals strategies for addressing supply chain, logistics labor shortages

Overall, the Supply Chain and Operations Management degree concentration equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and succeed in the complex and rapidly changing field of supply chain management. By focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects, the program prepares graduates to become valuable contributors to the industry's future.