Global Supply Chain Management: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.)

Degree Overview

In today’s society and business world, global supply chain management is critical to the success of almost all organizations. Across service industries, manufacturing sectors and warehousing and fulfillment, the design and execution of an effective supply chain network is paramount to business performance. Supply chain management embraces end-to-end processes such as the successful procurement and sourcing of goods and services as well as operations management across the services offered and/or the design and production of goods. It also encompasses logistics planning and oversight for movement of materials up, down and across the supply chain network.

In addition to the managerial, planning and scheduling aspects of supply chain optimization, effective leaders must also be adept at project management, understanding new and disruptive technologies (i.e. blockchain, autonomous vehicles & robotics), as well as using data analytics to convert information into decision making capabilities. Supply chain professionals must also exhibit strong interpersonal skills, effectively working in cross functional teams, and demonstrate exceptional communication skills.

Our BSBA in Global Supply Chain Management will prepare you to be a workforce ready leader, empowered with critical thinking and business skills that make our graduates ready to contribute to, and have successful careers in, the businesses that engage them. Our emerging leaders are:

Technically competent ongoing learners who are experientially and practically skilled in the design, management and improvement of regional and global supply chains.
Organizationally savvy with career-enabling skills that make them immediately relevant to employers, knowing what to do and how to get things done.
Proactive, anticipatory and adaptable to an ever-changing Supply Chain environment through flexible, agile and strategic thinking.
Action oriented, data-driven problem solvers who can thrive in their chosen career paths.

DEGREE HIGHLIGHTS

➤ Only accredited program in the region. Our global supply chain management program is the only four-year AACSB accredited program in the region.

➤ Site visits, tours and guest speakers. Explore the supply chain world through the experience of local leaders as well as unique site visits with companies such as Toyota, Cengage Learning, Kroger, UPS, DOW, Perfetti van Melle, Verst Logistics, DHL, Atlas Air, 80 Acre Farms, Castellini, Amazon, Netrush, Au-ve-co, Safran and Rhinegeist Brewery.

➤ Network with global supply chain management professionals and executives. NKU is home to the Hub of Supply Chain Excellence, a collaboration space, which develops students to meet the industry's needs through joint development of mentoring programs, internships, senior design projects, job kiosks, and student-industry networking and educational events.

➤ Internship opportunities. Gain differentiating experiential learning skills through diverse internship opportunities that are continually being upgraded and expanded through the efforts of the department’s professional advisory boards, Hub and faculty networks, and the college’s business experience manager.

➤ Make the world your classroom. Study abroad in countries around the world, including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Ireland, Germany and England, while taking specialized business courses.

➤ Extra-Curricular exposure & engagement. GSCM students have the opportunity to join NKU’s student chapter of the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM) and become a student member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). These, along with guest invites to other industry affiliation groups (CORBA, Tri-Ed) provides extensive networking opportunities for our students.

➤ Elective and minor options. GSCM business majors can choose a minor and additional elective courses in a field that fits their career goals - for example, those with an interest in the environment can elect a minor in environmental studies. All students are strongly encouraged to discuss their career goals with business faculty and advisors for guidance in choosing an appropriate minor.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Who hires our Global Supply Chain Management students? Those with Northern Kentucky University global supply chain management degrees are prepared for a wide range of careers in manufacturing and service organizations, ranging from small entrepreneurial endeavors to Fortune 100 companies; both for profit and non-profit. These organizations span a myriad of market segments and industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive, consumer and durable goods, fulfillment, e-commerce, freight and transportation, technology development, heavy and light general manufacturing, assembly, government, and general manufacturing.

To aid in student success, on-campus Career Fairs are offered for the fall and spring semesters along with the following opportunities to learn about and secure part-time and full-time employment:

Career Connections
Meet the Firms
Career Expo
Access to job kiosk (within the Hub)
Hub career days (sponsored by Hub members)

Global Supply Chain Management Bachelor's Degree Jobs

➤ Supply chain manager
➤ Operations manager
➤ Purchasing agent

➤ Logistics analyst
➤ Distribution manager
➤ Project manager

➤ Network analyst
➤ Materials manager
➤ Logistics team lead

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Cameron Hauss, a 2021 graduate of the program. While in school, Cameron was involved in numerous extra-curricular programs including starting up the student chapter of ASCM and participating as a member of the program’s advisory board. Cameron now works full time at Verst Logistics as a Business Analyst. His role is to analyze P&L statements within multiple business units to find opportunities for operation improvements or pricing reconfigurations with accounts. The analyst role in a third-party company structure works closely with many roles inside the business to gather data, and to then recommend improvements to operations and senior leaders. According to Cameron, “The most important aspect of the GSCM program had was the ability to work on projects with industry professionals, prior to graduation, which gave me a sense of how to perform effectively when I got into my role, post-graduation.

Sergio Bazzani is a 2018 graduate who joined with Au-ve-co as an Operations Manager. In this role, he is responsible for Purchasing/Sourcing, Warehouse Operations, and International Logistics. Au-ve-co, located nearby campus, is the world’s largest distributer of specialty automotive fasteners and clips. Sergio’s work involves analyzing product lines and forecasts by utilizing internal data sources and then providing recommendations that lead to significant decreases in product costs while increasing product availability and removing unproductive inventory. He is also responsible for the management and review of daily purchase orders, communication with vendors, product cost negotiations, and inbound international shipments to ensure appropriate customs clearance and timely arrival. According to Sergio, “I also evaluate domestic inbound/outbound LTL and small parcel contracts/rates. The Global Supply Chain faculty have been key contributors to my career and to the understanding of how GSCM connects the world.”