Supply Chain Management

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What is Supply Chain Management?

Supply chain management (SCM) is the coordination of how goods move from raw materials to final delivery, including the planning and control needed to keep supply, production, and distribution aligned. In shipping and logistics, supply chain management connects procurement and manufacturing decisions to transport planning, lead times, and service performance.

An effective supply chain is built around several core functions:

  • Planning: Establishing demand forecasts, inventory targets, and replenishment timelines.

  • Sourcing: Selecting suppliers and managing relationships to secure materials and services reliably.

  • Manufacturing: Converting inputs into finished goods through production scheduling, quality control, and packaging.

  • Delivery: Managing distribution and transport, including routing, carrier selection, and meeting delivery windows.

  • Returns management: Handling defective or unwanted products to protect service levels and recover value.