You want to leave a positive, lasting impression with the hiring manager(s) and a great way to do that is making your interview unique. A great example of this is when asked about your skillset or previous work experience, take your response one step further and describe how you would apply it to the position you are applying for. This shows you take initiative and it gets the hiring manager to envision you in the role which is exactly what you want to happen. Another thing you can do is to highlight any creative, outside the box solutions you've had in prior roles or during your studies. The supply chain field is very complex so people that think differently are highly sought-after. Lastly, do your research and ask at least one specific question about the company. This will score you some points and help set you apart from other candidates.
To excel in an interview, particularly for a supply chain position, it's crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the company you're applying to. Conduct extensive research to determine the company's operations, methods, and position within the industry. Additionally, attempt to identify the individuals with whom you'll be interviewing by searching for them on LinkedIn, and aim to establish a personal connection during the interview. Since each company's supply chain is unique, contact mid-level staff ahead of time to gather insights into the organizational structure and supply chain processes. BA Business (Law) W. P. Carey School of Business
Take advantage of the captive audience that you have, and utilize the opportunity to ask poignant, detailed questions about the role and organization. Role questions: What does success in this role look like? What tasks and goals would you want your chosen candidate to accomplish in their first month/quarter/year? It is important to also use the interviewer as a lens into the company, and see if they align with who you are. Organizational questions: How would you describe the company culture? What drew you to work here, and what keeps you? If you could make one change within the department/division/organization what would it be? Always remember that while the hope in an interview is that you impress the organization, they have just as much responsibility to impress you. What you bring to the table should be considered a valued commodity, so don't settle for a role or company unless you are certain that it is the best possible fit for you.
Focusing on the fundamental goals and vision of the industry they are applying to is my recommendation for new supply chain professionals. The most desirable trait of new applicants, in my opinion, is knowledge of, if not actual skill in, current automation and AI Supply Chain technologies, which will change the sector sooner than most predict.
SVP Business Intelligence (RGM, E-commerce, and Supply Chain) at Acosta Sales and Marketing
Answered 3 years ago
Julie Oxner MBA class of 2005 Supply chain often requires analyzing different data sets to find pain points or defects in the supply chain that are causing losses or problems. As you prepare for a supply chain interview make sure you have 1-2 examples of how you've used data to drive a business insight or identify a defect that could be fixed to improve results. Excel and Power BI/Tableau are very important tools to analyze data and provide visualizations to help derive insights quickly. Be sure to share any experience you have with these tools and how you can leverage data to drive results. Being able to take masses of data and identify how you can make an improvement is key to supply chain success.
When looking for jobs post graduation, I recommend searching for companies or roles that you already have interest in. Be specific while applying for jobs, avoid applying for everything business and settle for any offer. By applying for companies that you already know, it will be easier to talk about the trends and news during the interview. If it's a company that you already do business with, you can showcase your understanding and passion for the company, makes the interview more engaging both for you and the interviewer. Bachelors in Supply Chain Management
Practice your interviewing skills! Have a friend, family member, or ASU Career Coach sit you down and conduct a mock interview with various questions, and treat it like the real thing. Or, look up some common interview questions for that job, and video record your answers and watch them back. Give yourself feedback, apply it, and do it again! You'll improve your ability to answer tough questions with confidence and on a moments notice. Degrees: Supply Chain Management, Business Sustainability
In you new Supply Chain role, there's no way around having a good grasp of your environment. If the role is more managerial, know how your function relates to others in the company, such as marketing, HR, IT systems, etc. Also research who are the strategic suppliers/customers and explore how their relationship with the company may be (reflect on current challenges and opportunities) . If the role is more technical, get a sense of the different types of systems you may be using: TMS, Control Towers, WMS, ERPs. AGV, Robotics, etc. and how they relate to each other. If you can get your hands on some popular popular program and learn the basics (demos, student versions, etc), that may land you in a job seamlessly.
At the end of an interview you can help the interviewer picture you in the role while also giving you an opportunity to address any concerns the interviewer may have by asking, "do you have any hesitations about my ability to successfully fulfill the role?" This allows you a chance to clear up any misunderstandings, further explain your qualifications, and shows that you're open to feedback.
Your degree program most certainly contains many supply chain-related courses. It is critical to evaluate these courses to discover key concepts, philosophies, and practices related to the role for which you are interviewing. In my opinion, you should be prepared to describe how you will apply these concepts in the position. If you have done a logistics course, for example, you should be prepared to outline how you would manage transportation and distribution in the role.
Do your homework on the company where you are interviewing. Google the company and read about them and what they post. Review their website. Take some time to think about what you have read and how it affects their supply chains. Bring it up during the interview.
Ensure that you are familiar with the fundamentals of supply chain management, including different types of inventory systems, demand forecasting, and supply chain optimization. Additionally, make sure that you have an understanding of the various software packages used by supply chain professionals, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Finally, develop a network of industry professionals who can provide you with advice and guidance throughout your career.
Communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills are critical for success in supply chain professions. In my perspective, prepare to provide examples of how you have displayed these qualities in previous experiences or education. You can, for example, talk about how you resolved problems in group projects or displayed leadership in team settings.
The management of the supply chain cannot be considered comprehensive unless it also includes cooperative and integrative activities with the channel partners. A successful operation of a supply chain involves multiple parties, including the suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, and distributors, as well as the end customers. Managers of supply chains are obligated to work together with their suppliers, monitor and respond to changes in demand, integrate the services of wholesalers and distributors, and maintain open and productive lines of communication with all parties involved, including end users.
It is critical to comprehend the industry to prepare for a supply chain role interview. To obtain insights into the trends, difficulties, and opportunities in the supply chain field, you should conduct research, keep up with news and events, and read relevant publications. I believe this will demonstrate your enthusiasm and interest in the sector, as well as provide you with the knowledge necessary to answer inquiries and make educated decisions in the work.
Do you have any prior experience working with vendors who operate in companies located in other countries? A procurement manager who is open to the idea of dealing with suppliers who are employed in firms located in other countries has an idea of how to easily acquire products from sources located in other countries. This is especially beneficial right now because there is a significant situation involving shipping containers that is affecting procurement companies all around the world.
You should always be prepared in advance, research the company, formulate your questions, and pay close attention. And if you are in an interview unprepared this will give the impression that you are absolutely winging it and are not prepared or care to be prepared. Bring a written list of questions and make a few notes for each one even if you have a photographic memory and never forget anything because perception is reality.
It's kind of funny, but you can ask this question of potential supply chain managers. It is common practice for hiring managers to ask this question in order to ascertain whether or not the talents you highlight coincide with what they consider to be necessary for a candidate to be successful in the post. Consider the qualifications you possess that make you an excellent candidate as well as the ways in which those qualifications will benefit the firm.
Supply chain responsibilities might require a lot of jargon and concepts. Check that you grasp the fundamentals of supply chain management, such as procurement, logistics, inventory management, and demand planning. I believe this will assist you in responding to questions and communicating effectively throughout the interview.
You should investigate and prepare responses to popular supply chain interview questions. "What experience do you have in logistics and transportation?" is a popular question. "What are your thoughts on inventory management?" in addition to "How would you handle a supplier dispute?" Make sure your responses are tailored to the exact role and organization for which you are interviewing. I believe you can answer questions and share examples from your coursework or previous experiences to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.