What practical software skills should I gain during a supply chain placement?
During a supply chain placement, aim to build practical skills in advanced spreadsheet work, such as formulas, pivot tables and data validation; enterprise systems such as ERP, warehouse-management or transport-management software; and reporting tools such as Power BI or similar platforms. Basic SQL, data cleaning, forecasting, inventory analysis and creating clear operational reports can also be valuable.
Key points
- Practise turning purchasing, inventory, logistics or supplier data into accurate reports and useful recommendations.
- Learn how to document processes, check data quality, and use dashboards or visualisations to communicate findings.
- Develop safe working habits, including access control, version management and protecting commercially sensitive information.
Things to check
- The software available depends on the host organisation and placement role, so you may not use every tool listed.
- Specific systems and skill expectations should be confirmed with the placement provider or course team.