Supply chain assistant
Also known as: supply chain logistics assistant, global supply chain assistant, production assistant, supply chain supervisor, supply chain officer
About this occupation
Supply chain assistants work closely together with managers in the operations processes, namely purchasing, manufacturing, and distribution processes. They help with administrative and pragmatic follow up of actions such as invoicing, drafting and preparation of contracts and purchasing orders, reconciliation of inventory against documents, and communication with distribution channels.
A specialisation of administrative assistant.
Essential skills and knowledge
- organise business documents
- supply chain principles
- budget for financial needs
- support managers
- perform office routine activities
- office software
- perform business research
- use office systems
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products (O*NET 13-1023.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
- Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
- Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
- Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
- Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Realistic
Top skills: Negotiation, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.6)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (4.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.0)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Procurement Clerks
- Purchasing Managers
- Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
- Logistics Analysts
- Logisticians
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Supply Chain Managers
- Sales Managers
- Cost Estimators
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.