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11-3071.04 · Task explorer

Supply Chain Managers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.

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This source lists 30 tasks, including 25 marked Core and 5 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 07/2017.

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30 tasks shown

Core · Task 20942 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.

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Core · Task 20943 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing, or receiving.

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Core · Task 15680 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.

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Core · Task 15695 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.

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Core · Task 20944 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.

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Core · Task 15700 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.

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Core · Task 15694 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Confer with supply chain planners to forecast demand or create supply plans that ensure availability of materials or products.

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Core · Task 15696 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.

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Core · Task 15685 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors, or freight forwarders.

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Core · Task 15697 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Analyze information about supplier performance or procurement program success.

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Core · Task 20945 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Monitor suppliers' activities to assess performance in meeting quality or delivery requirements.

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Core · Task 15701 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Design or implement supply chains that support business strategies adapted to changing market conditions, new business opportunities, or cost reduction strategies.

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Core · Task 15688 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Meet with suppliers to discuss performance metrics, to provide performance feedback, or to discuss production forecasts or changes.

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Core · Task 20946 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Monitor forecasts and quotas to identify changes and predict effects on supply chain activities.

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Core · Task 15698 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Participate in the coordination of engineering changes, product line extensions, or new product launches to ensure orderly and timely transitions in material or production flow.

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Core · Task 20947 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Identify or qualify new suppliers in collaboration with other departments, such as procurement, engineering, or quality assurance.

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Core · Task 15693 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Design or implement plant warehousing strategies for production materials or finished products.

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Core · Task 19541 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Design, implement, or oversee product take back or reverse logistics programs to ensure products are recycled, reused, or responsibly disposed.

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Core · Task 15692 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Develop or implement procedures or systems to evaluate or select suppliers.

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Core · Task 15691 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Document physical supply chain processes, such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows.

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Core · Task 15681 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Diagram supply chain models to help facilitate discussions with customers.

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Core · Task 19542 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Evaluate and select information or other technology solutions to improve tracking and reporting of materials or products distribution, storage, or inventory.

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Core · Task 19543 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Identify opportunities to reuse or recycle materials to minimize consumption of new materials, minimize waste, or to convert wastes to by-products.

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Core · Task 19546 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Review or update supply chain practices in accordance with new or changing environmental policies, standards, regulations, or laws.

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Core · Task 19540 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Design or implement supply chains that support environmental policies.

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Supplemental · Task 20948 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Forecast material costs or develop standard cost lists.

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Supplemental · Task 19545 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Locate or select biodegradable, non-toxic, or other environmentally friendly raw materials for manufacturing processes.

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Supplemental · Task 20949 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Appraise vendor manufacturing capabilities through on-site observations or other measurements.

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Supplemental · Task 19539 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Conduct or oversee the conduct of life cycle analyses to determine the environmental impacts of products, processes, or systems.

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Supplemental · Task 19544 · 07/2017 · Occupational Expert

Investigate or review the carbon footprints and environmental performance records of current or potential storage and distribution service providers.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.