Mid-Level

Supply Chain Operations Manager

The execution engine — running day-to-day supply chain operations to deliver products on time and on budget.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
R
I
S
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Supply Chain Operations Managers
Employment concentration · ~353 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Supply Chain Operations Manager

As a Supply Chain Operations Manager, you own the operational execution of supply chain activities. You're managing teams that handle order fulfillment, inventory operations, logistics coordination, and customer service. While strategy happens elsewhere, you make today's supply chain work.

Your day is driven by operational rhythm and issues. You review daily performance, address exceptions and escalations, coordinate across functions, manage staffing, and drive problem-solving when things go wrong. You're accountable for today's service levels and tomorrow's readiness.

The hardest part is managing the unexpected while maintaining routine performance. Every day brings surprises — demand spikes, supply disruptions, system issues — but the baseline operation still needs to run. You need to build teams and processes that can handle variability while meeting consistent standards. The people who thrive here enjoy the intensity of operations and can stay effective under pressure.

IndependenceAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
SupportAbove avg
AchievementModerate
RecognitionModerate
RelationshipsModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Operations scopeTeam sizeVolume intensityCustomer complexitySystem maturity
Supply chain operations varies by scope and intensity. Some operations focus on order management; others include warehousing, logistics, or customer service. Team sizes range significantly. Volume intensity varies from steady flows to sharp peaks. Customer complexity affects service requirements. System maturity affects how much is automated versus manual.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Supply Chain Operations Managers (SOC 11-3071.04), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Supply Chain Operations Manager career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Process transformation
Directors reduce firefighting by fixing root causes
2
Technology enablement
Senior roles involve shaping how technology improves operations
3
Strategic planning
Moving up requires thinking beyond current operations
What functions are included in supply chain operations?
How large is the operations team?
What are the key operational metrics and current performance?
What are the biggest operational challenges?
What systems support operations?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$61K–$181K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
213K
U.S. Employment
+6.1%
10yr Growth
19K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$110K$107K$104K$101K$99K201920202021202220232024$99K$110K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

MonitoringReading ComprehensionActive ListeningTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingCoordinationWritingSystems EvaluationComplex Problem Solving
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-3071.04

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.