Supply Chain Manager

Planning how much stock to buy and when, choosing and negotiating with suppliers, arranging warehouses and transport, tracking deliveries, and cutting waste and delays. The job involves a lot of coordination with purchase, production, sales and finance teams.

A day in the work
A supply chain manager usually starts the day by checking the stock report and any delayed shipments or orders that need attention. Much of the morning goes to calls or emails with suppliers, transport partners and the warehouse, sorting out shortages or late deliveries. The afternoon often goes to a planning meeting with sales and production about next month's demand, followed by reviewing costs and vendor performance on a spreadsheet or ERP screen.

1. Step 1 · Class 11–12Any stream will do. Strong Maths, English and comfort with Excel-style tables will help later, for B.Tech and for CAT.
2. Step 2 · 3–4 yearsTake a degree. For IIM Mumbai's MBA (OSCM), a B.Tech in any branch is the usual entry. Other graduates can apply to general MBA or PGDM programmes that have a supply chain specialisation.
3. Step 3 · Final year of degreeAppear for CAT. IIM Mumbai's 2026-28 admission policy shortlists candidates on CAT percentile and sectional cut-offs. Final-year students can also apply, but must complete the degree by the given deadline.
4. Step 4 · SelectionPersonal interview and final merit list. In IIM Mumbai's 2025-27 OSCM policy, the CAT score carried 60 of 100 weight, the interview 20, and academic and work experience 20.
5. Step 5 · 2 yearsFull-time, residential MBA (OSCM). Most programmes mix classes, case studies and projects, and many include a summer internship in industry. (reported — check with the official body)
6. Optional · After 3 years at workIIMM's Certified Professional level asks for at least three years of supply chain or logistics experience and IIMM membership. It is a professional body credential, not a degree.

• Engineering routeB.Tech in any branch, then a two-year MBA in Operations & Supply Chain Management after CAT.
• Any graduate routeBBA, B.Com or another degree, then a general MBA or PGDM with a supply chain specialisation, or a shorter IIMM diploma course by distance.
• Work-first routestart as a purchase, store or logistics executive after graduation, then build skills and certifications while working.

Fees from: IIM Mumbai MBA (OSCM) Admission 2024 notification (reported via a notification portal) · IIM Mumbai: Admission announcement for international students, 2026-2028 batch. Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

Pay varies a lot. Freshers from ordinary colleges start far lower than MBA graduates from top institutes, and pay rises with years of experience, larger companies, metro cities and sectors such as pharma, FMCG and e-commerce.

IIM Mumbai's admission policy says seats are reserved under government rules: 27% for NC-OBC, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST and 5% for persons with benchmark disabilities, with up to 10% for economically weaker sections. These rules come from the 2024 policy and apply to the MBA route.

• Class 7–9Pick one everyday item at home, such as atta or a bottle of shampoo. Write down every stage it passed through to reach your kitchen or bathroom, from farm or factory to shop.
• Class 10–12Watch a free introductory lecture on operations or supply chain from NPTEL and note three ideas you could explain to a friend.Open link ↗
• College or afterLearn basic Excel formulas, such as SUMIF and pivot tables, using a free tutorial, then use them on a small budget or stock sheet for your family or a club.

• The IIM Mumbai MBA (OSCM) is open only to engineering or technology graduates, or to a few science and economics degrees. A general MBA is open to any graduate.
• Many entry jobs in this field go to graduates with a BBA, B.Com or engineering degree who have done an internship or a short certificate course. An MBA is not the only way in.
• Excel, SAP or other ERP software, and basic data skills are often asked for in job postings.