Supply Chain Leader

In my first posts, I will try to define in simple terms what a Supply Chain Leader is.  To do so, in this first part, let’s concentrate on what a Supply Chain Leader is not.

A Supply Chain Manager is not necessarily a Supply Chain Leader…

A Logistics Manager is not necessarily a Supply Chain Leader…

An Operations Manager is not necessarily a Supply Chain Leader…

First, from an organizational behavior point of view, management skills such as planning, organizing, coordinating activities, and managing people are different from leadership skills like defining a vision, inspiring, influencing, coaching, and managing change. Leadership and management are two different roles.

Second, from a supply chain perspective, the functions of a logistics or operations manager are more focused on execution and on products: buy, make, and transport the products. It is less strategic and value oriented: improve processes and performance, define and execute the strategy…

To conclude, the operations or logistics manager who plans and coordinates activities and focuses on very operational tasks and execution is not necessarily a supply chain leader.  But be careful, I don’t mean to underestimate the management and the execution part of the supply chain. All I am saying is that this type of skills and role are not enough to make you a supply chain leader. Both roles are not mutually exclusive and can be combined successfully.

In the next posts, I will try to define the DNA of the supply chain leader, and discuss the extent to which all companies need such people in their organization. I will try to answer the following questions: How to become a supply chain leader? How to identify them? etc…

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