What Is a Supply Chain Analyst? (And How to Become One)

Key takeaways

Supply chain analysts plan, analyze, and monitor the distribution of products in the global supply chain. 

• The median annual salary for supply chain analysts is $80,880, and they have a 17 percent job outlook for the decade spanning 2024 to 2034 [1].

• Core skills for supply chain analysts include communication, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, time management, and knowledge of industry software. 

• You can become a supply chain analyst by earning a bachelor’s degree, gaining relevant certifications, and building the necessary skills. 

Learn more about what a supply chain analyst does, a detailed list of skills needed, and the career path it takes to become one. If you’re ready to start building in-demand supply chain analytics skills, try the Supply Chain Analytics Specialization from Rutgers University, and in just two months, you can discover the supply chain pain points, problems for enterprises, and design effective solutions. 

What is a supply chain analyst?

A supply chain analyst plays an important role in planning, analyzing, and monitoring a company’s supply chain distribution to ensure products make it to their destinations in a timely, cost-efficient manner.

Supply chain analysts usually work on specific projects. That could be a product launch in a new country or lowering costs by identifying new routes or suppliers. Supply chain analysts serve as the liaison between a company and its (usually overseas) suppliers. They may be in charge of researching fair prices and negotiating good deals. A supply chain analyst also monitors inventory stock in warehouses and tracks how much more product is needed using tools such as SAP.

What do you need to be a supply chain analyst?

You’ll likely need a bachelor’s and maybe even a master’s degree in areas of study like supply chain or business management. Certifications like the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD) can also help you advance your career and build in-demand skills like supply chain analysis, data visualization, and supply chain management tools. Additionally, having sharp problem-solving abilities, a solid foundation in business, and expertise in logistics and distribution can help you succeed in this position.

Supply chain analyst jobs: What does a supply chain analyst do?

Supply chain analysts are the contact person for organizations that purchase overseas, working on end-to-end projects to ensure products get from Point A to Point B. 

Common supply chain analyst responsibilities and tasks include:

• Monitoring data on current business operations, managing different pieces such as sourcing, warehousing, deliveries, and scheduling production

• Collecting and analyzing data to reduce costs and increase efficiency

• Managing supply chain processes and inventory using tools like SAP

• Maintaining professional relationships with vendors, acting as representatives of the company or organization to promote a positive image

• Consistently seeking ways to improve supply chain management, including evaluating approaches, processes, tools, and technology

Where do supply chain analysts work?

As a supply chain analyst, it is likely that you will work in one of the main industries in which supply chain management is needed. These might include retail or e-commerce stores that sell food, soft goods like clothing, shoes, and toiletries, large goods like cars, electronics, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and more.

That means you could be working as a supply chain analyst for any of these companies. That includes big names like Nestle, Walmart, Toyota, and Pfizer, but supply chain analysis is also needed at smaller companies like Mara Hoffman, a high-end fashion brand.

You might also need supply chain analysis skills if you are a business consultant working for a consulting firm such as McKinsey, which is dedicated to creating Lean teams and eliminating unnecessary processes.

Logistics analysis: Skills needed 

Just like any other business role, supply chain analysts must have core workplace (soft) skills alongside technical (hard) skills.

Explore what a supply chain analyst needs to demonstrate to succeed in the role:

• Effective communication: To collaborate with cross-cultural teams and colleagues, including suppliers and customers

• Critical thinking and problem solving: To develop and implement logistical plans, respond to issues that inevitably arise, and find solutions to improve costs and efficiency

• Interpersonal skills: To coordinate the complex movement of products between suppliers, warehouses, and customers. Active listening and a love of people can be helpful, especially if you rise up in supply chain roles.

• Organizational skills: To maintain records across various tools and systems, and manage multiple simultaneous projects

• Time management: To keep up with the fast-paced environment with competing priorities and deadlines

• Knowledge of tools and technology: To handle all of the data on enterprise resource planning (ERP) technology, like SAP or Salesforce, and process it in a way that makes business sense

Supply chain analysts are needed at each stage of supply chain management. Some stages and focus areas that a supply chain analyst might specialize in include:

• Production planning

• Inventory management

• Raw material sourcing

• Demand planning

• Supply chain network design

• Distribution planning

Supply chain analyst salary and job outlook 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary for “logisticians” is $80,880 [1]. The number of jobs is expected to grow by 17 percent between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than the average of all occupations (4 percent) [1]. 

Supply chain analysts made the following in the top industries [2]:

As e-commerce continues to expand, companies will increasingly need more just-in-time deliveries. The outlook for supply chain-related careers is a bright one.

How to become a supply chain analyst

To become a supply chain analyst, it is advisable that you have a bachelor’s degree. If you already have one and are hoping to switch careers, then you can skip the first step and go straight to building up your skills and work experience.

Explore how to get started as a supply chain analyst.

1. Get a bachelor’s degree.

While not all supply chain analysts need to have a bachelor’s to land a job role, the chances of you getting hired are much higher if you do. A degree in business administration would be a great choice. 

According to Zippia, 72.8 percent of supply chain analysts have a bachelor’s degree, and 15 percent have master’s degrees [3]. Because the field of supply chain management is complex, fast-paced, and requires managing many moving parts, you should have a strong technical know-how of tools like SAP, as well as a strong foundation in business acumen, problem-solving, and quantitative analysis.

2. Build up your skills.

Build your skills and knowledge of supply chain management and analytics with a course. If you feel you need to brush up on communication skills, you can enroll in courses that challenge you to improve public speaking, or you can practice active listening at home or in the workplace.

If you require technical skills, play around with SAP or Excel. To get more familiar with Microsoft Excel, these short guided projects on Finding, Sorting, & Filtering Data in Microsoft Excel and Introduction to Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel might help.

3. Apply for entry-level jobs.

Next, you’re ready to apply for some jobs! You might want to start by researching companies or organizations you’d like to work for and narrowing down your search from there. 

Make sure to create (or clean up) your resume and write an original cover letter for the supply chain analyst roles that interest you. If you are switching careers, modify your resume and brush up on your interviewing skills.

Read more: Supply Chain Management: Definition, Jobs, Salary, and More

Other names for supply chain analyst jobs

“Supply chain analysts” might look different when you’re searching for jobs on LinkedIn or other sites. Some other names for similar job roles include sourcing analyst, materials planner, production analyst, transportation analyst, logistics analyst, demand planning analyst, and supply chain modeling analyst.

The title “analyst” might be at the same level as “specialist” in some companies, while “specialist” at other companies is a step up from “analyst.” Further, “manager” tends to be a step above “specialist.” 

Explore our free resources for supply chain professionals

Subscribe to our Career Chat newsletter on LinkedIn for industry insights, skill-building tips, and networking opportunities. Then, explore our free resources for supply chain professionals:

• Watch on YouTube: Exploring the Supply Chain Career Path: From Entry-Level to Senior Roles 

• Build e-commerce skills: Shopify Inventory Management: A How-to Guide 

• Assess your skills: Microsoft Excel Skill Assessment

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses. 

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