‘Don’t let stereotypes hold you back’: Supply chain management offers good career prospects

Do not let stereotypes hold you back from pursuing a career in supply chain management (SCM), a fast-growing area that offers many job options.

As more companies set up their supply chain hubs in Singapore, the Government is rolling out measures to grow the talent pool in this sector.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta in Canada, Mr Lee Chee Yang pursued a typical technical path to apply his engineering knowledge. His first job was as an Equipment Engineer at a manufacturing firm, handling automation programming and developing test solutions.

But his career path took a sharp pivot as he developed a deep understanding of component sourcing and programme management, which proved invaluable in the supply chain field and fuelled his passion for the commercial side of the business.

Switching to SCM opened doors to a dynamic and rewarding career path, he said.

At Agilent Technologies, he was promoted to Global Category Manager, tasked with developing “a more competitive, predictable and adaptive first-in-class supply base across the company’s global sites”.

Mr Lee, 49, told The Straits Times: “It was definitely hands-on learning for me. Today, after more than 20 years of experience in supply chain and procurement functions and leading an international team, I never looked back.”

He said the SCM field offers promising career prospects as businesses such as Agilent operate an Asia-Pacific regional hub for their global supply chain in Singapore.

There are plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement, too. At Agilent, an SCM career starts at entry-level positions such as in procurement or logistics, and progresses to roles like supply chain analysts, managers and directors. As employees gain experience and expertise, they can explore specialised areas like inventory management, demand forecasting or supplier relationship management.

There are also opportunities to work in diverse industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail and technology. With the increasing importance of global supply chains, industry professionals can shape the future by leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and automation.

Mr Lee said: “Don’t let stereotypes hold you back from pursuing a career in SCM. Embrace the challenge and leverage your unique perspective to excel in this rewarding field.”

With three decades of experience managing the entire spectrum of end-to-end supply chains, Mr Barakathulla Buhari, 50, said a rewarding career in SCM requires not only technical expertise but also adaptability, problem-solving skills and a mindset focused on continuous improvement.

After graduating in Mechanical Engineering in 1992, he became a Project and Procurement Engineer, specialising in the development of ammonia refrigeration plants in India.

In 1996, he moved to Singapore and was a Logistic Officer at YCH Singapore.

He continued to hone his expertise, and joined International Rectifier in 2000 as its Regional Logistics Manager for Asia.

Since 2010, he has been the Senior Director of global logistics and supply chain at Skyworks, which has seen its headcount grow from 12 to 1,200 today.

“I have progressed from a project-based role to various positions of increasing responsibility in supply chain management,” said Mr Buhari, adding that he now has 30 years of experience in the end-to-end supply chain process, including cross-bordering and special zone processes.

Ms Serina Teo, who is in her early 40s, is a Master Data Specialist at Rohde & Schwarz Asia. A tour guide when Covid-19 hit, she was forced to make a career switch, taking a job as an Operations Executive in the German test and measurement specialist.

Going through Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme for supply chain professionals helped arm her with the essential skills needed to become a master data specialist after only nine months.

Ms Teo is now responsible for overseeing customer data, vetting potential clients under know-your-customer guidelines and ensuring the legitimacy of customers in compliance with anti-money laundering laws.

Source: The Straits Times ©️ SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.