Supply Chain Management Educational Options in Ohio

In almost every industry, products and services must go through a lengthy process before they arrive on the shelves, ready for sale. This life-of-product process is called the chain of supply. It must be managed carefully in order to maximize company profit and minimize loss. The professionals tasked with managing supply chains are called supply chain managers (SCMs) or logisticians.

These professionals oversee the process in which products pass through the supply chain, from the design of new products to production and transportation of finished products. They work with suppliers and clients to ensure the process runs smoothly and maximizes profit for clients.

The steps in a supply chain may include:

Product design
Distribution
Inventory control
Materials management
Packaging
Procurement/purchasing
Quality control
Receiving
Transportation/traffic/shipping

There are many more supply chain aspects than those listed here. Most logisticians will work only with a few major aspects as required by their industry.

You generally need at least a bachelor’s degree to be a successful logistician, but a master’s degree will give you even more of a competitive edge in the career pool. Specialized education in different areas of supply chain logistics can help a logistician become a pro in their area of expertise, helping them earn more money and climb higher on the career ladder.

Ohio Logisticians Should Begin with a Bachelor’s Degree

The standard requirement for logisticians everywhere is a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or a related business field. Here are some schools in Ohio that offer top-rated Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) programs:

Ohio State University (OSU). On its main campus in Columbus, OSU offers a Logistics Management BS Degree. Study in this program covers all aspects necessary for a well-run logistics system, such as customer service, purchasing and much more. Study abroad and internship options are available to students in the OSU Logistics program.
University of Akron. At this university, you can earn a four-year Supply Chain and Operations Management BS Degree in the College of Business Administration. University of Akron offers free tutoring to its students, and has many student organizations involved with the College of Business Administration.
Miami University. This public Ohio school located in the small town of Oxford is often called the “Public Ivy” of Ohio because of its high standards and renowned business school, the Farmer School of Business. Students can earn a BS in Supply Chain and Operations Management at Miami, with program requirements in the departments of Management, Information Systems and Analytics, and Marketing.

Master’s Programs for Logisticians in Ohio

By earning a master’s (MBA or MBS) degree after your BS in logistics, you can specialize in a certain area of the supply chain process. You can also gain prestige in the field of logistics to climb higher in your career and increase your earning potential. Schools in Ohio that offer graduate supply chain programs include:

Ohio State University. Besides the BS program, this school offers a full-time MBA program in Supply Chain (Operations and Logistics). Students will learn how to synthesize solutions to maximize the effectiveness of supply chains in a variety of settings. Students can study on a logistics track, operations track or supply chain track.
Wright State University. Located in Dayton, this school offers a Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Classes in this program provide real-life experiences to give students hands-on learning. Students also have the opportunity to learn alongside top business leaders.

Other Education for Ohio Logisticians

Even though a BS or MBS are required to get the better jobs in the logistician field, an associate’s degree or certificate can help you start on the road to entry-level supply chain positions. Some Ohio schools offering shorter programs are:

Cincinnati State. This school offers a two-year Supply Chain Management Associate Degree. There are two tracks from which students can choose their course of study: operations or materials handling. The types of entry-level careers graduates enter include warehousing, logistics and inventory management.
Ohio University. Another public school in Ohio, this university offers a Supply Chain Management Certificate requiring 15 credit-hours of study. Students are linked with entry-level jobs upon graduation.

Those with associate degrees and certificates are prepared to enter the field of supply chain management, but they often need to pursue further education to advance in their careers.

Certification for Supply Chain Managers

The central association that represents SCM nationally is the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). Logisticians can opt to pursue certification through the ASCM’s APICS certification program to earn more of a competitive edge on the job field. Supply chain managers can earn these credentials through APICS:

Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD)
Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
SCOR-Professional (SCOR-P)

These certifications are well-respected by businesses and increase the career options for logisticians.

Other optional certifications are available from the Demand Driven Institute (DDI), further widening the opportunities for logisticians who want to grow their list of credentials.

Ohio Employment and Salary Outlook for Logisticians

The employment level for Ohio logisticians is expected to increase 5.5 percent by the year 2026, with an average of 610 job openings per year within the state.

Ohio logisticians made a median income of $35.46 per hour in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This income is right on track with the national median income of $35.86 per hour.

Where to Work in Ohio as a Logistician

Higher numbers of logisticians work in large cities, so in Ohio the highest numbers of logisticians worked in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton in 2017. That same year, the BLS reported that logisticians working in Dayton made the highest income, with an hourly median wage reported at $42.26. Dayton also had the highest employment rate per 1,000 jobs in the state in 2017. It seems that Dayton shows much promise in opportunities for logisticians who are just starting or continuing their careers.