In today's fast-paced and globalised business environment, Supply Chain Management (SCM) plays a vital role in ensuring the success of organisations. With the increasing complexity of global supply chains and rising demand for efficiency, transparency, and sustainability, businesses need professionals to manage and optimise their supply chains effectively. One way to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in SCM is by pursuing an MBA in Supply Chain Management.
This article will discuss the details of an MBA in Supply Chain Management in the USA, including its curriculum, benefits, job opportunities, and top universities offering this program.
Benefits of Studying MBA in Supply Chain Management
There are several benefits of studying for an MBA in supply management, including:
- An MBA in supply management provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire supply chain, from sourcing and procurement to logistics and distribution.
- An MBA in supply management helps develop strong business acumen, including financial management, operations, strategy development, and leadership skills.
- An MBA in supply management can help professionals advance their careers by providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to become influential leaders in supply chain management.
- The Program equips individuals with the analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and solve complex supply chain problems.
- MBA programs in supply management offer students the opportunity to network with industry professionals, attend industry events, and participate in internships or other experiential learning opportunities.
- Professionals with an MBA in supply management tend to earn higher salaries than those without the degree due to their advanced knowledge and skill set.
The curriculum of the MBA in Supply Chain Management
An MBA degree in Supply Chain Management combines the core business principles of an MBA program with specialised courses in SCM. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of supply chain operations, logistics, procurement, inventory management, and global supply chain strategies.
Some of the typical courses offered in an MBA in SCM program are:
- Supply Chain Management: This course covers the fundamentals of supply chain management, including procurement, transportation, warehousing, and inventory management. It also focuses on the role of information technology in SCM and supply chain analytics.
- Logistics Management: This course covers the principles of logistics and distribution management, including transportation management, network design, and distribution channel management. It also covers the latest trends in logistics, such as green and reverse logistics.
- Procurement and Supplier Management: This course focuses on procurement strategies, supplier selection, and supplier performance management. It also covers contract negotiation, supplier relationship management, and global sourcing.
- Operations Management: This course covers the principles of operations management, including capacity planning, production scheduling, and quality management. It also covers the latest trends in operations management, such as lean manufacturing and Six Sigma.
- Global Supply Chain Management: This course covers the challenges and opportunities of managing global supply chains. It includes cultural differences, international trade regulations, and risk management in global supply chains.
- Supply Chain Analytics: This course uses data analytics to optimise supply chain operations. It covers topics such as data visualisation, forecasting, and predictive analytics.
- Sustainability in Supply Chain Management: This course covers sustainability principles in supply chain management. It includes topics such as environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical issues in supply chain management.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants are typically required to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a grade of 3.0 - 3.5. While no specific undergraduate major is required, a background in business or a related field is usually preferred.
- Many MBA programs in supply chain management require applicants to have relevant work experience, ranging from one to five years.
- International applicants whose native language is not English are usually required to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language. IELTS 7, TOEFL 100+
- Applicants must typically submit their Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The minimum score for GMAT is 600, and GRE is 320.
Top University to study Supply Chain in the USA
- MIT University
- Harvard Business School
- Stanford Graduate Business School
- Kellog School of Management
- University of Michigan
- University of Pennsylvania
- Duke Fuqua School of Business
- University of Texas Austin
- Ohio State University
Tuition Costs
University |
MBA Program |
Specialization |
Location |
Estimated Total Cost (2-year program) |
MIT Sloan School of Management |
MBA |
Operations Management |
Cambridge, MA |
$168,000 |
Harvard Business School |
MBA |
Operations Management |
Boston, MA |
$158,800 |
Stanford Graduate School of Business |
MBA |
Operations Management |
Stanford, CA |
$147,288 |
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University |
MBA |
Operations Management |
Evanston, IL |
$144,000 |
The University of Michigan Ross School of Business |
MBA |
Operations Management |
Ann Arbor, MI |
$130,000 |
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania |
MBA |
Operations, Information and Decisions |
Philadelphia, PA |
$162,200 |
Duke Fuqua School of Business |
MBA |
Operations Management |
Durham, NC |
$136,270 |
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin |
MBA |
Supply Chain Management |
Austin, TX |
$103,600 (in-state) / $118,800 (out-of-state) |
Scheller College of Business, Georgia Tech |
MBA |
Operations and Supply Chain Management |
Atlanta, GA |
$76,376 (in-state) / $98,136 (out-of-state) |
Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University |
MBA |
Operations and Logistics Management |
Columbus, OH |
$59,636 (in-state) / $71,834 (out-of-state) |
Scholarships
Here's a table with some potential scholarships for MBA in Supply Chain Management in the USA:
Scholarship Name |
Provider |
Award Amount |
Eligibility Requirements |
R. Gene Richter Scholarship |
Institute for Supply Management (ISM) |
Up to $10,000 |
Full-time MBA student with a focus on Supply Chain Management, minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrated leadership potential |
APICS Foundation Scholarships |
APICS Foundation |
Various (up to $5,000) |
A full-time or part-time student pursuing a degree related to Supply Chain Management, minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrated financial need |
CSCMP Edge Scholarship |
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) |
Up to $5,000 |
Full-time MBA student with a focus on Supply Chain Management, minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrated leadership potential |
Walmart Foundation Scholarship |
Walmart Foundation |
Up to $2,500 |
Full-time MBA student with a focus on Supply Chain Management, demonstrated academic achievement, financial need |
Scope for MBA in Supply Chain in the USA
Supply Chain Management (SCM) plays a crucial role in the success of businesses in the USA. With the increasing globalisation of markets and the rise of e-commerce, efficient supply chain management has become even more critical for businesses to remain competitive.
The scope of SCM in the USA is vast, covering a range of industries such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and logistics. The United States is home to some of the world's largest retail chains, such as Walmart and Amazon, which have highly optimised supply chains to ensure the timely delivery of products to customers.
Moreover, the USA is known for its innovative and technologically advanced manufacturing industry, and efficient SCM has enabled manufacturers to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
Additionally, healthcare is a growing industry in the USA, and efficient SCM is critical to ensure the availability of medical supplies and equipment to healthcare providers.
The USA is also a hub for logistics and transportation, with several large ports, airports, and highways connecting businesses to customers worldwide. Efficient SCM helps to optimise transportation routes, reduce lead times, and ensure the timely delivery of goods to customers.
Job Profile & Salary
Job Title |
Average Salary (USD) |
Supply Chain Manager |
94,036 |
Operations Manager |
85,636 |
Logistics Manager |
80,698 |
Supply Chain Analyst |
68,170 |
Logistics Analyst |
61,955 |
Procurement Manager |
92,364 |
Materials Manager |
83,763 |
Warehouse Manager |
69,076 |
Inventory Control Manager |
76,254 |
Distribution Manager |
79,123 |