Operations and logistics management are under the umbrella of supply chain management and individuals qualified to plan, implement and efficiently manage the flow of domestic and international flow of good, services and pertinent information between the original point of conception and the point of consumption in order to meet consumer demands are at the helm.
GBSB Global’s Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management offers a distinctive course of study of supply chain management in Europe and is delivered in conjunction with Zaragoza Logistics Center – MIT Global Scale Network. Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC) is a research institute founded by the Government of Aragon in Spain in association with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Zaragoza. This program concentrates on providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the field of operations and supply chain management with a global focus that is digitally advanced.
As part of GBSB Global’s Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management degree program, students will visit Zaragoza’s logistics platform plaza – the leading supply chain center in the Southern Europe, providing many companies in supply chain management a home to operate and conduct research projects, where some of the latest innovations in the area of supply chain management are being generated.
Top 10 Reasons to Earn a Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management
1. Advancement Potential
Logistics and supply chain management is a field that has reported rapid expansion and growth even in the height of the recent recession. Today, the industry is even more encouraging for students interested in earning a degree in operations and supply chain management, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a seven percent growth in jobs between 2016 and 2026.
2. Increased Salaries
As of May 2017, the median annual pay for a logistician or operations and supply chain manager in the United States was $74,590, or $35.86 per hour. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,820, but maximum salaries reached upwards of $120,120 per year.
3. High Ranking Authority
With a relatively low barrier to enter the industry, logistics professionals can often solidify a high-paying job without an advanced education. Having a graduate degree positions graduates at the forefront of employment for upper management positions with more responsibility and greater benefits.
4. International Travel
In the field of operations and supply chain management there are opportunities to travel. For those with a global perspective, this may be the industry that will arm you with the means to travel the globe. While sightseeing may not top the list of things to do, work will be diverse and culture exciting.
5. Local Job Market
Not everyone sees travel as a benefit, but rather prefer to stay in one place for longer periods of time with the occasional necessity to relocate for work. Local companies are also hiring. Inquire. The field is broad and opportunities range from region to region.
6. Industry Options
Within the field of operations and supply chain management, professionals can pursue a specialization in any one of these sub-sectors, wholesaling, warehousing and even postal services. Employment also can vary in localization, from big corporations and small business to not-for-profit organizations and local or federal government agencies.
7. Internship Opportunities Abound
Although logistics is a highly sought after field that has seen rapid growth of the past few years, many students and professionals worry about landing that first job. There are plenty of options that can make you more marketable and viable for an entry-level position, including paid internships at companies that may offer jobs to successful interns upon program completion.
8. Development of Transferable Skills
Many graduates and professionals working in supply chain management remain in the field for decades, but others use the skills they've learned to transition into other fields. Transferable skills gained in operations and supply chain management include forecasting, workflow optimization, general management and financial planning among many others.
9. Job Satisfaction
Albeit sustainable employment and high salaries are enticing to many individuals, most choose to remain in the field because they find their work extremely rewarding. In a 2017 report compiled by supply chain management research association APICS, millennials relate supply chain management as an opportunity for growth. These surveyed forward-thinking employees wholeheartedly believe in their ability to make a difference. At the end of the day, the prospect for a highly rewarding career should be any future logistician's main reason for pursuing a career in this industry.
10. Digital Operations
Get involved in a new age of operations and supply chain management. The industry is follow suit as businesses are ever transforming their digital presence, so too, is the field of supply chain management. At a digitalization level of 43 percent, supply chain management, as reported by a recent study performed by McKinsey, it is the one of the lowest in business. Taking the industry to a new level will require graduates with the technical skills to see a vision for the future and are able to implement it. The same McKinsey research study referenced above suggests that, on average, companies that take an aggressive approach to digitalization can anticipate an increased growth in annual earnings before interest and taxes by 3.2 percent—the largest escalation from digitizing any business sector—and annual revenue hike by 2.3 percent.
Get in on the Transformation: Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0
In line with the idea of digital operations what has now been termed Industry 4.0, is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution and has been recognized as the basis of the modern smart factory, promoting the advancement in cyber-physical systems, increased machine-to-machine communication and decentralized decision-making within the processes of production. In fact, the very same principles that spurred on the modern, digitized manufacturing scene are also bringing about the period of Logistics 4.0.
It is a momentous time to get in on the action. Take your talents and invest them in an industry that is bound to reach new heights. The benefits are already convincing, but there is more to come!
Get more information about GBSB Global’s Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management program by visiting us online or contacting one of our admissions representatives today.
