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Supply Chain Specialization
Knowledge of Supply Chain and Operations (SCO) enables organizations to strategically leverage their internal process capabilities and identify opportunities for collaboration with customers and suppliers. Despite technology and efficiency advances, most organizations have not yet realized the full capabilities of their supply chains.
An emphasis in SCO provides skills in managing the flow of raw materials, finished goods, information and services to deliver maximum value to the consumer. Rather than focusing on any single facet of delivering a product or service to the customer, SCO covers the entire process, from the suppliers of your suppliers, to the customers of your customers. The emphasis is designed to be flexible, with a wide range of course offerings to reflect the diversity of career opportunities.
A SCO position may include any or all of the following, depending on the size and complexity of the organization:
- choosing and developing suppliers
- designing and implementing systems and processes for improving the customer interface, reducing transaction costs, and improving service levels
- sourcing materials, components, technologies, and services
- designing and managing the development of new products
- monitoring and managing inventory at all steps of the supply chain
- managing logistics, warehouses, distribution inventories, and service parts
- managing internal operations or service functions
- managing quality, six sigma, and lean projects throughout the supply chain
- strategically analyzing the supply chain to increase revenues, improve service, reduce cost, and create competitive advantage
Successful candidates can lead, analyze, manage, and improve end to end business processes using strategic thinking and analytical skills. The ability to understand global management issues is also important since supply chain management activities traverse national boundaries. Most employers seek students that possess strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in teams.
Companies from a variety of industries come to the Carlson School for graduates with expertise in supply chain and operations: consulting, manufacturing, retail, service and transportation companies make up the majority of recruiters. Some seek students with information systems knowledge in addition to supply chain. Others seek a strong finance, marketing, operations or strategic management combination together with supply chain knowledge.
Because the field of SCO is extremely broad, the emphasis includes a wide range of courses that can be combined to best fit an individual student's career aspirations and interests. The total credits required for an emphasis is 12 credits. Courses are grouped into two categories: foundational and electives. The foundational courses serve as an entry point into different aspects of SCO. Electives provide deeper coverage of special topics.
Foundational Courses (choose at least 4 credits):
- SCO 6056: Managing Supply Chain Operations (4 credits)
- SCO 6059: Quality Management and Lean Six Sigma (4 credits)
- SCO 6072: Managing Technologies in the Supply Chain (2 credits)
SCO Electives:
- SCO 6041: Project Management (2 credits)
- SCO 6051: Service Management (2 credits)
- SCO 6081: Global Operations Strategy (4 credits)
In addition to SCO courses, one might consider other complementary disciplines such as marketing, operations, information systems, finance or strategy and organization for further course work. The following courses have particular relevance for students emphasizing in supply chain and operations.
- IDSc 6423: Enterprise Systems (2 credits)
- IDSc 6442: E-Sourcing and E-Auctions (2 credits)
- IDSc 6465: Global Sourcing of IT and IT Enables Services (4 credits)
- MKTG 6060: Distribution and Supply Chain Systems (4 credits)
- MKTG 6075: Pricing Strategy (4 credits)
- MGMT 6004: Negotiation Strategies ( 2 credits)
- MGMT 6031: Industry Analysis and Competitive Strategy (4 credits)
- MGMT 6032: Strategic Alliances (2 credits)
- MGMT 6084: Management of Groups (2 credits)
- MGMT 6110: Managing People and Organizations (2 credits)
- FINA 6242: Advanced Corporate Finance Analysis and Decisions (4 credits)
Department Advisor:
Kevin Linderman
Associate Professor
612-626-8632
linde037@umn.edu
Student Affairs Advisor:
Christina Holdvogt
Associate Director of Student Affairs
612-625-7582
choldvog@umn.edu
MBA Admissions Advisor:
Peter Woxland
Associate Director of Admissions & Recruiting
612-626-0727
woxla005@umn.edu
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