MBA Operations
Supply chain management interview questions
Consider these questions and sample answers to display yourself as the ideal candidate for the supply chain management role:
- What is supply chain management?
This is a basic definitive question that employers may ask to ensure you can describe supply chain management to customers or other employees. Interviewers are typically looking for a simple answer that clearly defines the term in a way that’s easy to understand.
Example: “Supply chain management is the management and planning of all supply chain activities that take place in a business. This can include product development, logistics, sourcing and producing.” - What would you do if your warehouse ran out of stock?
Interviewers are interested in learning your process for situations where the business may run significantly low on its available products. Explain how you’ll calmly and logically handle the decrease in stock.
Example: “If we ran out of stock on any of our products, I’d first identify the shortage of products or materials and determine the amount we have left, if any. I’d then meet with the original supplier to see if we can get a rush order of supplies.” - Which skills are needed to be successful in supply chain management?
Hiring managers often use this question to determine if the skills you mention align with what they believe a candidate needs to be successful in the role. Think about the skills you hold that make you a great candidate and how they’ll benefit the company.
Example: “I believe a great supply chain employee should have great customer service and communication abilities. I used these skills in my previous role when I regularly met and negotiated with suppliers. I remained professional and courteous, which resulted in a strong, dependable relationship with them.” - Are you updated on current supply chain management trends?
Many employers want to hire supply chain management team members who stay updated on current technology trends in the industry to stay ahead of the competition and adopt innovative solutions. Share any supply chain technologies you’ve recently discovered and how they could benefit the company.
Example: “One trend I recently read about was a transport management software that used computerized tracking systems to integrate every operation from a single panel. You can operate this panel from a mobile device to organize inventory levels, oversee distributions and manage shipping from anywhere, which could drastically improve efficiency levels.” - Do you have experience collaborating with overseas suppliers?
Suppliers may be located across the world, so employers may expect you to have a process in place for staying in touch with them. Describe your strategy for staying connected with suppliers.
Example: “In my previous position, I worked directly with Japanese suppliers to obtain materials for our best-selling product. We communicated regularly using a chat management software that allowed the supplier to update us on the progress they made on creating and shipping our supplies.” - How do you prepare for an upcoming holiday season?
The busiest time of year for many companies is usually the holidays, which is when they’ll receive a large influx of sales in a short time. Hiring managers usually look for employees who plan for this mass increase in sales. Detail this plan in your answer.
Example: “I’ll review the sales numbers from past holiday seasons and will order additional supplies and materials for items that were high in demand. I’ll then contact our transportation teams to give them a breakdown of what to expect in terms of shipment and delivery during the upcoming months.” - What supply chain management software have you used?
Employers expect you to have sound knowledge of common software tools to record updates on products’ manufacturing and delivery progress. Your answer should explain how you use communication tools to connect with employees, delivery drivers, manufacturers and suppliers.
Example: “At my previous company, I found and adapted a software system that allowed us to monitor inventory and supply levels, oversee transportation locations and collaborate effectively with clients. Implementing this software tool increased our efficiency levels by 20%.” - What do you consider to be key elements in inventory planning and management?
Hiring managers will expect you to make important decisions regarding how many items to order and how often. Demonstrate your process for effectively increasing profits by maintaining strong inventory levels.
Example: “My strategy for keeping balanced inventory and supply levels at all times is to carefully review product orders and inventory numbers for the past few months. I’d use these to determine how many supplies and products to order for the upcoming months.” - Has a shipment to your warehouse ever been unexpectedly delayed? How did you handle the situation?
Shipments may unexpectedly run late. Employers will want to know your process for ensuring this doesn’t lead to a large setback in productivity and customer satisfaction. Your answer should feature an actionable plan that keeps customers and suppliers happy during this situation.
Example: “If a delay occurs, I’ll reach out to the driver or supplier to learn the reasoning and updated delivery date. Next, I’d check our buffer inventory to see if we ordered any extra items that could replace the delayed ones.” - How could your skills and experience add value to our business?
Employers often use this question to analyze your strengths and background to demonstrate why you’re the best fit for the role. Consider which strengths and expertise made you a strong asset in your previous roles.
Example: “I’d be a great fit for this position because I have advanced communication skills and negotiation abilities, which can be used to build lasting relationships with your clients and suppliers. I can negotiate quality product prices that work well within your company’s budget.” - What would you improve our company’s supply chain management processes?
Since you may handle the making, purchasing and shipping of the company’s product, the employer will want to know how familiar you are with the company and its items. Conduct research and demonstrate the knowledge you’ve gained about the company to explain how you’d improve it.
Example: “After reading various customer reviews, I’ve learned that customers are pleased with your quality products, but sometimes the shipments seem to arrive later than expected. I’d adopt new supply chain management systems to speed up production and deliveries.” - Describe your process for finding suppliers for a 100-piece product
Employers may ask situational questions to understand your process for finding suppliers for larger products. Explain a process you’ve used in the past when gathering materials for a large product.
Example: “I would work with our product team to determine which supplies we need. I’d search our supply chain management system to determine if we already conduct business with existing suppliers who carry similar materials. I’d reach out to them to ensure they can provide us with the necessary quantity and quality we’re looking for at a reasonable price.” - What has been your most challenging moment in a supply chain role? How did you resolve it?
Hiring managers typically ask this question to learn how you’ll handle difficult situations in the workplace. Answer this question honestly by describing a time when you were assigned a challenging task and your process for resolving it.
Example: “I once had a supplier who was running behind on shipments. I reached out to our suppliers to better understand the problem and to get the materials shipped to us as soon as possible. Once they arrived, I instructed our team to assemble and prepare the products for shipping right away.” - Explain how you’d gather supplies and materials for this (item)
This question will give hiring managers an idea of your process for analyzing a product and locating the materials needed to create it. For example, they may ask about a pen. Remain clear and descriptive in your answer.
Example: “I’d first review each part of the pen to determine what makes it function properly. I’d work directly with our product team to gather each part that makes up the pen, like the ink and springs. Finally, I’d negotiate with suppliers to find items that meet the products’ quality needs at a reasonable price.” - What planning process do you use to manage and track products and materials?
Employers want to ensure their team members are well-organized and aware of production schedules. Use this question to demonstrate the strategy you follow to keep up with deliveries and shipment times.
Example: “I use a master production schedule system to remain updated on a product’s progress. The system details how many items to produce, the materials needed for every product, expected shipment dates and customer delivery dates.” - Do you have experience with downstream and upstream production processes?
An upstream production process involves gathering materials needed to produce a product. Downstream production is the process of using these items to sell a final product. Describe your knowledge of these industry terms and how you use them on the job.
Example: “When handling the upstream process, I collaborate closely with our team to determine the materials needed to obtain quality items for our products. During downstream production, I work with our customer service teams to determine which improvements to add to our product line.” - What’s your process for handling cost efficiency through strong relationships with suppliers?
Supply chain employees typically work closely with suppliers to build lasting relationships. Use this question to show employers how you use these relationships to secure reasonable prices on products.
Example: “I work to maintain ongoing relationships with suppliers by constantly updating them on our company’s needs and preferences. This polite and professional relationship with clients allows us to build mutual trust that leads to reasonable pricing on quality supplies.” - Describe your process for finding the best suppliers for your product
One of your responsibilities may be to find new suppliers for products, so employers want to feel confident in your ability to locate them. Your answer should clearly explain your method for finding and keeping great suppliers.
Example: “I conduct careful online research on the best suppliers within our budget for certain materials. If I already have connections with suppliers who sell similar materials, I’ll ask their opinion on the best vendors available with the materials I need.” - What type of forecasting method do you prefer?
Employers will ask this question to understand your approach to accurately forecasting materials and product inventory amounts. Explain the forecasting method you’ve used in the past that has provided you with significant results, what you like about it and why you prefer it over others.
Example: “I’ve found the best results from demand forecasting. I’ll take the demand data of products to determine what we’ll need in upcoming months according to factors like items placed in a customer’s cart, purchase orders and revenue gained from that product.” - Tell me about a recent supply chain management book or article you read and what you took away from it
Hiring managers want to know you’re informed and updated on changes taking place in the supply chain industry to ensure you’re adapting your strategies accordingly. Mention a specific article or book you’ve read and what you gained from it.
MBA SCM
MBA supply chain management interview questions and answers pdf
MBA SCM supply chain management questions and answers pdf
supply chain management interview questions and answers for freshers
MBA logistics and supply chain management interview questions pdf
logistics and supply chain management interview questions and answers
supply chain management interview questions for experienced
supply chain analyst interview questions and answers pdf
supply chain management interview questions quora
