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ESCO occupation

supply chain manager

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Supply chain managers plan, manage and coordinate all activities related to the sourcing and procurement of supplies needed to run manufacturing operations from the acquisition of raw materials to the distribution of finished products. The supplies can be raw materials or finished products, and it can be for internal or external use. Moreover, they plan and commission all the activities needed to be performed in manufacturing plants and adjust operations to changing levels of demand for a company's products.

1324.8 ISCO 1324 ESCO source
Competences
99
Groups
4
Essential
23
Optional
76

Competences and skills

99 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 6 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
corporate social responsibility

The handling or managing of business processes in a responsible and ethical manner considering the economic responsibility towards shareholders as equally important as the responsibility towards environmental and social stakeholders.

green
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product life-cycle

The management of the life-cycle of a product from the development stages to the market entry and market removal.

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supplier management

The methods and techniques to ensure that external services and configuration items, which are necessary for the service delivery, are available as requested and as agreed at the service level.

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Cross-sector

3 competences
product data management

The use of software to track all information concerning a product such as technical specifications, drawings, design specifications, and production costs.

digital
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supply chain management

The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

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supply chain principles

Characteristics, operations and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to the customer.

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Essential skills and competences 17 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

5 competences
analyse supply chain trends

Analyse and make predictions about trends and evolutions in supply chain operations in relation to technology, efficiency systems, types of products shipped, and logistical requirements for shipments, in order to remain at the forefront of supply chain methodologies.

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assess supplier risks

Evaluate supplier performance in order to assess if suppliers follow the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and provide the desired quality.

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maintain relationship with customers

Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.

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maintain relationship with suppliers

Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.

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manage inventory

Control product inventory in balance of availability and storage costs.

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Cross-sector

12 competences
analyse business plans

Analyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan and verify the business' ability to meet external requirements such as the repayment of a loan or return of investments.

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analyse logistic changes

Assess the financial impact of possible logistics changes such as shipping modes, product mixes or volumes, carriers and means of product transportation.

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analyse supply chain strategies

Examine an organisation's planning details of production, their expected output units, quality, quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements. Provide suggestions in order to improve products, service quality and reduce costs.

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estimate costs of required supplies

Evaluate the amounts and costs of required supplies such as of food items and ingredients.

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follow company standards

Lead and manage according to the organisation's code of conduct.

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identify key processes of traceability systems

Identify the different key processes, documentation and regulations for the implementation and follow-up of traceability in the company. Analyse the cost/benefit ratio of traceability processes.

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identify software for warehouse management

Identify relevant software and applications used for warehouse management systems, their characteristics and value added to warehouse management operations.

digital
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implement a management system

Make and monitor the changes in business processes that are needed to create a system that collectively manage different parts of the business of an organisation.

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liaise with managers

Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

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manage supplies

Monitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities and synchronise supply with demand of production and customer.

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order supplies

Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.

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strive for company growth

Develop strategies and plans aiming at achieving a sustained company growth, be the company self-owned or somebody else's. Strive with actions to increase revenues and positive cash flows.

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Optional knowledge 18 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

4 competences
market pricing

Price volatility according to market and price elasticity, and the factors which influence pricing trends and changes in the market in the long and short term.

ESCO source
operations management

The backend business functions that are implemented with the aim of achieving the high efficiency and profitability within an organisation.

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project management

The discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.

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warehouse operations

The basic principles and practices of warehouse operations such as goods storage and the organisation of warehouse facilities.

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Cross-sector

14 competences
business strategy concepts

The terminology related to the design and implementation of major trends and aims which are taken by an organisation's executives, while keeping in mind its resources, competition and environments.

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conflict management

The practices concerning the resolution of conflicts or disputes in an organisation or institution. It encompasses reducing the negative aspects of a conflict and increasing the positive outcomes of it by learning from the errors made.

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economics

Economic principles and practices, financial and commodity markets, banking and the analysis of financial data.

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financial forecasting

The tool used in performing fiscal financial management to identify revenue trends and estimated financial conditions.

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geographical routes

The interpretation of geographical information such as locations and distances between them.

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human resource management

The function in an organisation concerned with the recruitment of employees and the optimisation of employee performance.

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international business

The processes related to production or distribution of goods and services across borders.

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labour legislation

Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.

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multimodal transport logistics

The logistical supporting activities related to multimodal transport. The different elements of a multimodal system for the movement of goods or people, and all related advantages in terms of time and cost reduction, increased security and reduced risks and reduction of administrative burdens.

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pricing strategies

The techniques, theories, and commonly accepted strategies regarding pricing of goods. The relation between pricing strategies and outcomes in the market such as profitability maximisation, deterrence of newcomers, or increase of market share.

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quality standards

The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

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risk management

The process of identifying, assessing, and prioritising of all types of risks and where they could come from, such as natural causes, legal changes, or uncertainty in any given context, and the methods for dealing with risks effectively.

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statistics

The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.

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transportation software related to an ERP system

Business management software to collect, manage and interpret data related to shipping, payment, inventory, manufacturing applied in transportation and distribution.

digital
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Optional skills and competences 58 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

13 competences
analyse logistic needs

Analysing the logistic needs of all the different departments on the organisational level.

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control trade commercial documentation

Monitor written records containing information related to commercial transactions such as invoice, letter of credit, order, shipping, certificate of origin.

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coordinate purchasing activities

Coordinate and manage procurement and renting processes including purchasing, renting, planning, tracking and reporting in a cost efficient way on an organisational level.

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direct logistical functions

Coordinate logistic operations related to product life cycles, such as distribution, delivery and final disposal of products or resources.

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issue sales invoices

Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.

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manage standard enterprise resource planning system

Collect, manage and interpret data relevant for companies related to shipping, payment, inventory, resources and manufacturing using specific business management software. Such software as Microsoft Dynamics​, SAP ERP, Oracle ERP.

digital
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monitor ingredient storage

Monitor ingredient storage and expiry dates via weekly reporting leading to good stock rotation and reduction of waste.

green
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monitor stock level

Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.

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negotiate sales contracts

Come to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc.

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plan future capacity requirements

Develop a solid business plan for future capacity requirements; determine whether or not a company is capable of meeting demands for its products or services.

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programme work according to incoming orders

Schedule tasks based on incoming work. Anticipate the total amount of resources required to complete the work and assign them accordingly. Assess the required working hours, pieces of equipment, and workforce needed taking into account the available resources.

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track price trends

Monitor the direction and momentum of the product prices on a long-term basis, identify and predict the movement of prices as well as identify the recurring trends.

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visit suppliers

Visit local or international suppliers to get an accurate understanding of their services and report back to clients on that basis.

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Cross-sector

45 competences
accurately estimate work hours

Assess the necessary work hours, equipment, and skills required to successfully complete a task.

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advise on risk management

Provide advice on risk management policies and prevention strategies and their implementation, being aware of different kinds of risks to a specific organisation.

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advise on sustainable management policies

Contribute to planning and policy development for sustainable management, including input in environmental impact assessments.

green
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analyse consumer buying trends

Analyse buying habits or currently prevalent customer behaviour.

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analyse economic trends

Analyse developments in national or international trade, business relations, banking, and developments in public finance and how these factors interact with one another in a given economic context.

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analyse market financial trends

Monitor and forecast the tendencies of a financial market to move in a particular direction over time.

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apply change management

Manage development within an organisation by anticipating changes and making managerial decisions to ensure that the members involved are as less disturbed as possible.

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apply for government funding

Gather information on and apply for subsidies, grants, and other financing programmes provided by the government to small- and large-scale projects or organisations in various fields.

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assess financial viability

Revise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. Assess if the agreement or project will redeem its investment, and whether the potential profit is worth the financial risk.

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assist in planning production scheduling

Contribute to the planning of the production schedule with information on previous periods of production as to avoid waste and increase efficiency.

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attend trade fairs

Attend exhibitions organised to enable companies in a specific sector to demonstrate their latest products and services, study the activities of their competitors, and observe recent market trends.

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calculate purchasing levels of raw materials

Estimate the adequate quantities of raw materials to be purchased and required to meet the production objectives based on the prospects and forecasts.

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carry out statistical forecasts

Undertake a systematic statistical examination of data representing past observed behaviour of the system to be forecast, including observations of useful predictors outside the system.

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carry out tendering

Place the request for a quotation to the organisation requesting a tender, then perform the work or supply the goods agreed with them during the tendering process.

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control financial resources

Monitor and control budgets and financial resources providing capable stewardship in company management.

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develop professional network

Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.

Scope note
This includes the development of social relationships with patients and customers.
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ensure cross-department cooperation

Guarantee communication and cooperation with all the entities and teams in a given organisation, according to the company strategy.

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ensure equipment availability

Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.

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estimate duration of work

Produce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfil future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given project.

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estimate profitability

Take various factors into account to calculate the cost and potential revenues or savings gained from a product in order to evaluate the profit that could be generated by the new acquisition or by a new project.

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forecast dividend trends

Forecast the payouts corporations make to their shareholders in the long term, taking into account prior dividends, the corporation's financial health and stability, stock market trends, and shareholders' reactions to those trends.

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forecast economic trends

Gather and analyse economic data in order to predict economic trends and events.

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forecast future levels of business

Predict how the business will perform in future, potential expenditures and revenues to project situations for future periods

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forecast production quantities

Determine the most adequate production levels of products according to forecasts and analysis of historic consuming trends.

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forecast products' demand

Collect, analyse and calculate the demand of products and services based on reports and purchasing activity of customers.

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forecast sales over periods of time

Calculate and estimate the expected sales of products and services over different periods of time in order to determine their profitability.

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forecast workload

Predict and define workload needed to be done in a certain amount of time, and the time it would take to perform these tasks.

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identify suppliers

Determine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likelihood of obtaining beneficial contracts and agreements with them.

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maintain contract administration

Keep contracts up to date and organise them according to a classification system for future consultation.

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manage budgets

Plan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.

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manage contracts

Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes in line with any legal limitations.

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manage human resources

Conduct employee recruitment, helping employees to develop their personal and organisational skills, knowledge, and competencies as well as providing feedback and performance appraisals. It includes motivating employees, by implementing rewarding systems (managing pay and benefit systems) in order to maximise employee performance with regard to employer's strategic objectives.

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manage logistics

Create logistic framework for transporting goods to customers and for receiving returns, execute and follow up the logistics processes and guidelines. Adapt the production processes to the contingencies and constraints of the medium.

Scope note
Work with walls, walkway, pebbledash, glass, sheet metal, plastic and other materials.
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manage rented goods returns

Organise the return of rented goods to the distributor.

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manage staff

Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.

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manage sub-contract labour

Oversee work and the labourers hired to carry out part or all of the responsibilities of someone else's contract.

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manage warehouse operations

Manage warehouse operations such as delivering orders and maintaining stock. Control safety and risk prevention in the warehouse. Follow plans to maximise efficiency of the supply chain.

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negotiate buying conditions

Negotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.

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negotiate supplier arrangements

Reach an agreement with the supplier upon technical, quantity, quality, price, conditions, storage, packaging, send-back and other requirements related to the purchasing and delivering process.

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perform project management

Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.

research
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perform resource planning

Estimate the expected input in terms of time, human and financial resources necessary to achieve the project objectives.

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recruit employees

Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.

Scope note
It may include recruiting volunteers.
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study sales levels of products

Collect and analyse sales levels of products and services in order to use this information for determining the quantities to be produced in the following batches, customer feedback, price trends, and the efficiency of sales methods.

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train employees

Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.

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use sales forecasting softwares

Operate sale forecasting softwares in order to help in determining demand levels for products with higher levels of accuracy.

digital
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