Supply Chain Management Major
Apply Your Strengths to the Supply Chain Field
Provide a competitive edge in business operations with your supply chain expertise. Supply chain management combines problem solving, time management, big picture thinking, analytical execution and teamwork to produce a rewarding career path.
The pandemic demonstrated how crucial it is for supply chains to run efficiently. As competitive pressures escalate, market and supply uncertainties increase, and consumers continue to demand timely production and deliveries, there is a need to build more resilient and agile supply chains. Make an impact by designing and managing supply chains, the cornerstones of success for any organization.
Supply chain professionals work in industries like manufacturing, technology, health care and retail to design, source, manufacture and deliver the best products and services for customers. This expertise provides companies with an edge over their competition.
What You'll Learn
- Supply chain management provides students with the skills and expertise to analyze and manage the chain of activities from idea development to production and distribution. Individuals trained in supply chain management deliver insight to businesses and create more efficient and effective processes.
Learning Outcomes
- Be able to solve supply chain problems using the latest technology and analytics.
- Understand the principles of sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution, as well as quality, sustainability and resilience.
- Develop the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate within an interdisciplinary team.
Career Connections
- Analyze market trends and historic sales data to predict future demand and decide on the type and quantity of products to stock.
- Select suppliers and negotiate prices and other terms for purchasing materials and services needed to run a business.
- Review an organization's current processes and procedures to improve efficiency, quality and customer service.
$55,000 average starting salary
for 2020-21 graduates
Supply chain management jobs will grow by 30% over next 10 years
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-30)
How You’ll Learn
Hands-On Learning Experiences
- Learn by doing projects based on real data in classes and case competitions.
- Consult for a company like ConAgra Brands in your capstone course, analyzing an operational challenge and developing ways to improve profitability.
- Take advantage of the many employers offering internships, such as Kiewit.
Transferable Career Skills
- Get to know employers and local business leaders through facility tours and site visits.
- Attend panel discussions where alums and employers share their career journey and how they became successful.
- Interact with our highly involved advisory board of industry leaders who regularly hire our graduates.
Social Connections
- Take courses in our small, close-knit program, where many classes have 20 students or less.
- Join the Nebraska Supply Chain Club to network, hear from guest speakers and go on employer site visits.
- Use free tutoring where fellow students help you succeed in your classes.
Make a Difference
- Learn how to design supply chains to survive natural disasters, pandemics and other stressors.
- Study abroad in a faculty-led program to discover how to manage supply chains in a global context.
- Rise to the challenge of building a more sustainable world by better utilizing our resources.
Core Academics
- Build skills in Excel and develop knowledge of software through team-based projects.
- Explore interdisciplinary topics important to supply chain management through elective courses. Class options include subjects like international finance, where students learn about exchange rates and financial tools.
- Gain in-demand quantitative skills by adding the business analytics minor.
Research / Grad School Prep
- Succeed in the program's rigorous curriculum and build the quantitative skills needed for advanced study.
- Work as a teaching assistant to support faculty and help students.
- Dig deeper into a topic you’re interested in through an independent study with a faculty member.
Program Features
- Build a more sustainable world – Create change on a global scale by learning how to make supply chains more resilient, sustainable and responsible.
- Excellent career opportunities – Skills in supply chain management are needed in every industry and all areas of business.
- Faculty as experts and mentors – Our faculty are leaders in practice and research. They are frequently cited by the news to help explain current supply chain challenges.
- Small class sizes – Establish close relationships with supply chain professionals and your peers.
- Strong engagement from employers – The program’s advisory board, alumni and employers provide mentorship, share best practices and frequently speak in classes.
Research and Academic Opportunities
Make a Difference With Data
Analyze real-world data as you engage with local organizations to help them make impactful decisions.
Use Your Skills to Help Nebraskans
Conduct meaningful economic research as a BBR Scholar, working with faculty on impactful projects and gaining research experience.
Make Professional Connections
Network with our engaged advisory board and represent Nebraska at national conferences like the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM).
Serve as a teaching or research assistant to a faculty member or pursue your own big idea through the UCARE program.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Study Business in Northern Italy
Spend a summer or semester at CIMBA International University in Paderno del Grappa, Italy. Choose from a number of business classes to learn more about global business, while exploring the Italian language and culture.
Learn to Do Business Internationally in Barcelona
Enjoy a summer or semester in Spain learning about the global supply chain through business courses at the Institute for American Universities (IAU), while you take in the architecture, cuisine and history of Barcelona. Internships are also available.
See All Business Abroad Opportunities
Student Organizations
There are 25+ business related student organizations, including one that focuses on supply chain management. These clubs provide a great opportunity to grow as a leader, gain experience and make meaningful connections.
Nebraska Supply Chain Club
Provides networking opportunities and interactions with professional organizations and builds student relationships with professionals in the supply chain industry.
Professional Business Leaders (FBLA/PBL)
Prepares members for careers in business leadership through conferences, competitions and networking.
See All Business Related Student Organizations
Professional Organizations
You can become part of national professional organizations, including ASCM (a leading association for supply chain management professionals) and ISM (Institute for Supply Management). You can join the ASCM program for students, which gives you access to scholarships, special programs and mentors who work in the supply chain field.
ASCM Midlands Chapter
ASCM Scholars Program
Institute for Supply Chain Management
Recent Supply Chain Management Student Placements
Internships
- Strategic Sourcing Intern, BNSF Railway
- Supply Chain Purchasing Intern, Great Northern Equipment Distribution
- Purchasing Intern, Kiewit
- Logistics Intern, Reliant Transportation
- Rates and Pricing Intern, Werner Enterprises
Careers
- Strategic Sourcing Management Trainee, BNSF Railway
- Logistics Development Associate, ConAgra Brands
- Supply Chain Management Professional Development Program, Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Career Foundation Program - Operations Trainee, Smithfield Foods
- Supply Chain Manager, The Italian Vine: Wine Distributors
Graduate Schools
- Master of Science in Business Analytics, Boston University - Boston, Massachusetts
- Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management, Indiana University - Bloomington, Indiana
- Master of Finance, Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
4-Year Plan and Notable Courses
Explore our curriculum through the 4-year plan. To earn your bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, you’ll take 120 credit hours of classes. That’s four to five classes a semester, on average.
4-Year Plan
Decision Making Models (SCMA 335)
Learn and develop optimization models to make better operational decisions in transportation and distribution networks, production and inventory planning, and scheduling.
Enterprise Management Systems (SCMA 431)
Discover how recent advances in information and communication technologies are transforming businesses and their operations. Learn how to leverage advanced technologies to design and operate smart and innovative enterprises.
Global Sourcing and Distribution (SCMA 439)
Apply the strategies, concepts and tools of supply chain management on a global scale and in the context of international trade. Learn best practices used to locate, develop, qualify and employ global suppliers.
Supply Chain Logistics Management (SCMA 444)
Design cost-efficient distribution networks to satisfy customer expectations for delivery of products. Learn about key logistical functions including facility network design, order processing, inventory management, transportation, warehousing, material handling and packaging.
Predictive Analytics (SCMA 451)
Explore the advanced methods for data analysis and modeling to make data-driven predictions, and develop automated structures to support decision-making. Harness your interest in business analytics by learning tools for working with data, databases and reports from analytic models.
Strategic Supply Chain Management (SCMA 474)
Engage in real-world supply chain management projects, working with local and regional companies to improve their supply chain operations and provide strategic insights. Apply the concepts and theories learned throughout your major in practical settings.