Hunter Campbell’s Supply Chain Excellence Series profiles roles within the Supply Chain job family, including jobs in demand, wages, and employment prospects.
n this article, the role of Supply Chain Analyst is in the spotlight.
Purpose of the Role
A Supply Chain Analyst analyses data and methods to predict and improve a company’s delivery of products and services to its customers. An organisation’s supply chain needs to run smoothly and efficiently to ensure a profit, making the Supply Chain Analyst an essential role.
Qualifications
Qualifications are not an essential prerequisite. However, it is highly likely a Supply Chain Analyst holds a tertiary qualification in areas such as Commerce, Maths, Supply Chain Management or Statistics.
There is also the Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) course which NZPICS offers which can provide candidates with some really good skills if they have not come from a tertiary background in supply chain and want to add a qualification in supply chain.
Key Skills Required
Being a Supply Chain Analyst comes with a lot of responsibility and areas of oversight that can make it challenging to keep track of all the moving parts. Supply Chain Analysts closely monitor everything from delivery times and routes, warehouse utilisation, stocking limitations, and even weather patterns. They make recommendations and adjustments to save the organisation from wasting money or resources while storing, moving, and delivering goods efficiently. Underpinning this role is the ability to not only gather insights but communicate them effectively across the business, driving operational or procedural change. An effective data analyst is capable of both communicating these insights and using their analysis to recommend alternative outcomes.
All of this requires attention to detail and commercial nous to ensure that everything flows smoothly at every point of the supply chain. A Supply Chain Analyst must regularly think outside the box to resolve unexpected problems and keep the supply chain on track.
Supply Chain Analysts typically work in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment that is challenging. It is rewarding for those who thrive in this type of work environment. They perform jobs that can have a substantially positive affect on organisations, which makes the work meaningful.
Ability to Analyse Data
Learning to analyse data is a very important skill to have before becoming an analyst. In every analyst position, the analyst must look at and make sense of large amounts of data. It may be different types of data depending on the job, but Supply Chain Analysts must analyse the data collected and then let that drive the decision making.
Ability to Present
We are seeing an increase in demand for analysts that are able to present findings from insights in ways that stakeholders can easily gain quick intel. This doesn’t mean presenting in person to an audience but having capability on the likes of Power BI and building dashboards with visibility.
Problem Solving Skills
A Supply Chain Analyst career requires strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to draw conclusions based on multiple sources of information and to quickly adapt to shifting needs.
Communication
Because supply chain coordinates with many other teams besides the one they work on, they must have good communication skills. They also sometimes interact with people outside supply chain organisation in this role.
Strong Knowledge of Tools/Software
Not only do analysts need to be able to use widely known applications like Excel, but they also need to be able to use an ERP such as SAP/any other software that may be essential to their job.
Along with supply chain analysis and optimisation, it’s important that analysts understand the fundamentals of supply chain management like production, sourcing, distribution, etc. When companies look for a Supply Chain Analyst, the ideal candidate is someone with a combination of analyst skills and general supply chain knowledge.
Career Prospects
Generally, there are three main pathways to becoming a Supply Chain Analyst. The first is by joining a business directly in a junior role or on a graduate scheme as a Master Data or Supply Chain Analyst. The second and more common route is that a Supply Chain Analyst works in multiple roles within the supply chain before moving to positions of greater responsibility. For example, an analyst might work in a demand planning, production or inventory role before progressing to a pure analyst position. The third route and one that is becoming increasingly common is to move from other areas of the business – typically from a Sales Analyst, Finance Analyst, or by the company seeing your potential with data, problem-solving and being able to provide the business with meaningful insights and reports.
As you gain experience and demonstrate your capabilities, you will have the potential to progress to a Senior Analyst, a Supply Chain Manager and perhaps even a supply chain leadership position. Supply Chain Analysts who can combine their undoubted capability in technical understanding, data and insights with skills in influencing, a wider understanding of the supply chain and business have a high potential to progress into leadership or broader supply chain management positions. Those with demonstrable achievements in providing solutions are able to pursue a career path in project management and Lean Manufacturing.
Recruitment Forecast
Effective planning, data utilization, and the conversion of datasets into actionable insights for supply chain optimization have never been more critical. The role of the Supply Chain Analyst has gained increased significance as companies expand their teams or establish specialised roles. The ongoing uncertainties in international supply chains, geopolitical events, climate-related challenges, and the rise of e-commerce continue to drive demand for skilled Supply Chain Analysts. Professionals who can transform data into meaningful information and recommend strategic solutions are poised for enduring success in this dynamic field.
Salary Guide:
This information is anecdotal and based on roles Hunter Campbell is currently recruiting or has previously recruited and relate to base salaries. They do not include any additional bonuses or benefits.
Graduate Analyst: $65,000 – $75,000
Master Data Analyst: $80,000 – $90,000
Supply Chain Analyst: $80,000 – $100,000
Senior Supply Chain Analyst: $100,000 – $150,000
If you would like to find out more about the role of Supply Chain Analyst, please contact Senior Consultant Kat Biggelaar. Kat specialises in Supply Chain, Planning and Contracting. For more news and views, visit our website by clicking here, see what opportunities we have available here or follow us on LinkedIn.
