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AccountancyISCO 3343

Supply chain assistant

A supply chain assistant is a person who works closely with managers on the purchasing, production and distribution processes, providing administrative and practical support in invoicing, drawing up and preparing contracts and orders, stocktaking, and communicating with the distribution channels.

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Check yourself in a minute: supply chain assistant

Rate 5 of the 9 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

perform business research

use spreadsheets software

organise business documents

support managers

use office systems

About supply chain assistant

Documents are the core of the work. The assistant organises the commercial documents, prepares the contracts and the orders, handles the invoicing, and keeps the file in a state where information on past shipments can be found quickly. Documents confirm the parties' obligations, and missing ones can delay a payment or a delivery.

Numbers come next. The assistant uses spreadsheet software and office software, carries out stocktaking, conducts business research, and draws up a budget to meet the financial needs identified. Working from a knowledge of the principles governing the supply chain is what makes the support useful rather than clerical: the assistant can see why a reorder point matters and what a late purchase order does further down the line.

Supporting managers is the main purpose. The assistant provides support to managers, works through the office systems, and communicates with the distribution channels. The assistant also handles the administrative follow-up: invoicing, contracts and purchase orders, and the reconciliation of inventory against documents.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (9)

office softwareoffice softwareThe characteristics and functioning of software programs for office tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, email and database.supply chain principlessupply chain principlesCharacteristics, operations and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to the customer.perform business researchperform business researchSearch and collect information relevant for the development of businesses in different fields ranging from legal, accounting, finance, up to commercial matters.use spreadsheets softwareuse spreadsheets softwareUse software tools to create and edit tabular data to carry out mathematical calculations, organise data and information, create diagrams based on data and to retrieve them.organise business documentsorganise business documentsPut together documents coming from the photocopier, the mail, or the daily operations of businesses.support managerssupport managersProvide support and solutions to managers and directors in regards with their business needs and requests for the running of a business or the daily operations of a business unit.use office systemsuse office systemsMake appropriate and timely use of office systems used in business facilities depending on the aim, whether for the collection of messages, client information storage, or agenda scheduling. It include...perform office routine activitiesperform office routine activitiesProgram, prepare, and perform activities required to be performed everyday in offices such as mailing, receiving supplies, updating managers and employees, and keeping operations running smoothly.budget for financial needsbudget for financial needsObserve the status and availability of funds for the smooth running of projects or operations in order to foresee and estimate the quantity of future financial resources.
Optional (24) — show
operations department processesoperations department processesThe different processes, duties, jargon, role in an organisation, and other specificities of the operations and manufacturing department within an organisation such as purchasing, supply chain process...international businessinternational businessThe processes related to production or distribution of goods and services across borders.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.sales department processessales department processesThe different processes, duties, jargon, role in an organisation, and other specificities of the sales department within an organisation.purchase suppliespurchase suppliesPurchase and replenish supplies; make sure that all required goods are available in stock.provide technical documentationprovide technical documentationPrepare and distribute documentation to ensure all people involved in the production receive relevant and up-to-date information.interpret business informationinterpret business informationRetrieve and analyse different kinds of information with regards to the management of a business in order to draw conclusions on projects, strategies, and developments.maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.monitor manufacturing quality standardsmonitor manufacturing quality standardsMonitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.monitor staff absencesmonitor staff absencesKeep an overview of the employees's vacations, sick leaves and absences, register these in the agenda and file the necessary documents and certificates.carry out inventory control accuracycarry out inventory control accuracyImplement control procedures and documentation related to inventory transactions.use production planning softwareuse production planning softwareUse software that facilitates planning and scheduling in the manufacturing industry and enables the optimisation of resource allocation.direct logistical functionsdirect logistical functionsCoordinate logistic operations related to product life cycles, such as distribution, delivery and final disposal of products or resources.coordinate purchasing activitiescoordinate purchasing activitiesCoordinate and manage procurement and renting processes including purchasing, renting, planning, tracking and reporting in a cost efficient way on an organisational level.identify software for warehouse managementidentify software for warehouse managementIdentify relevant software and applications used for warehouse management systems, their characteristics and value added to warehouse management operations.identify key processes of traceability systemsidentify key processes of traceability systemsIdentify the different key processes, documentation and regulations for the implementation and follow-up of traceability in the company. Analyse the cost/benefit ratio of traceability processes.analyse supply chain strategiesanalyse supply chain strategiesExamine an organisation's planning details of production, their expected output units, quality, quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements. Provide suggestions in order to improve products...use sales forecasting softwaresuse sales forecasting softwaresOperate sale forecasting softwares in order to help in determining demand levels for products with higher levels of accuracy.handle returnshandle returnsManage goods that have been returned by customers, following the applicable goods return policy.prepare purchasing reportingsprepare purchasing reportingsPrepare documentation and files related to product purchases.receive shipment packaging informationreceive shipment packaging informationReceive information from consignors about the goods, about aspects of the paperwork, and about how the goods should be packed and loaded onto trucks. Understand information and rigorously apply instru...assist in planning production schedulingassist in planning production schedulingContribute to the planning of the production schedule with information on previous periods of production as to avoid waste and increase efficiency.issue sales invoicesissue sales invoicesPrepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and...forecast production quantitiesforecast production quantitiesDetermine the most adequate production levels of products according to forecasts and analysis of historic consuming trends.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a supply chain assistant do?

Supply chain assistants work closely together with managers in the operations processes, namely purchasing, manufacturing, and distribution processes. They help with administrative and pragmatic follow up of actions such as invoicing, drafting and preparation of contracts and purchasing orders, reconciliation of inventory against documents, and communication with distribution channels.

What skills does a supply chain assistant need?

A supply chain assistant needs 9 essential skills, including office software, supply chain principles, perform business research, use spreadsheets software, organise business documents.

Will AI replace supply chain assistant jobs?

The AI disruption score for supply chain assistant is 80/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: monitor staff absences, issue sales invoices, organise business documents. Most resilient: maintain relationship with suppliers, office software, international business.

AI Replacement Risk

80/ 100
Very High Risk
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Quick Facts

SectorAccountancy
ISCO GroupBusiness and administration associate professionals
Essential Skills9

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