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Supply chain analyst and planner
Also called: Demand planner
Plans demand, stock and supply so products are available without waste.
What the work is
Supply chain analysts and planners forecast how much customers will buy, plan stock levels, schedule production and purchases, and track deliveries. They use data and planning tools to balance cost against service, so shelves are full but warehouses are not overflowing.
E-commerce, quick commerce, FMCG and manufacturing companies hire many planners and analysts.
A typical week
- Forecast demand from sales data
- Plan stock and reorder levels
- Track supplier deliveries and delays
- Report costs and service levels
It suits people who
- Like numbers and planning
- Solve practical problems quickly
- Work well with many teams
Your path to get there
School (Class 8-10)
- Any stream; Maths helps
Class 11-12
- B.Tech, BBA, B.Com or a supply chain degree
College or fresher
- Learn Excel, basic forecasting and SQL
- Intern in an e-commerce, FMCG or manufacturing operations team
- Consider an MBA in operations
Working or switching
- Store, warehouse and sales staff move in by learning planning tools and Excel
- Start with a skills refresh of 6 to 12 weeks: one short course and one TalentMeter assessment to show where you stand today.
- Use returnship and second-career programmes; many large employers in India run them for people back after a break.
- Explain the gap in one honest line on your CV and LinkedIn, and list what you did in it (caregiving, freelancing, courses, volunteering).
- Contract, part-time and freelance roles are a common way back in; they turn into full-time offers often.
Exams and certifications
| Name | What it is for | When |
|---|---|---|
| APICS CPIM or CSCP (ASCM) | Supply chain certification | After some experience |
| Six Sigma Green Belt | Process improvement | Any time |
Exam names, eligibility and dates change. Always check the official website for this year's notice.
Job market
Job titles to search
Who hires
Where the jobs are
These buttons open a live search for "Supply chain analyst" on each job site. TalentMeter does not list or vouch for the jobs there.
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