# Tasks & work activities — machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft distribution manager

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 11-3071.04 (Supply Chain Managers) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 1324; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution.
- **[Core]** Diagram supply chain models to help facilitate discussions with customers.
- **[Core]** Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors, or freight forwarders.
- **[Core]** Meet with suppliers to discuss performance metrics, to provide performance feedback, or to discuss production forecasts or changes.
- **[Core]** Document physical supply chain processes, such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows.
- **[Core]** Develop or implement procedures or systems to evaluate or select suppliers.
- **[Core]** Design or implement plant warehousing strategies for production materials or finished products.
- **[Core]** Confer with supply chain planners to forecast demand or create supply plans that ensure availability of materials or products.
- **[Core]** Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.
- **[Core]** Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.
- **[Core]** Analyze information about supplier performance or procurement program success.
- **[Core]** Participate in the coordination of engineering changes, product line extensions, or new product launches to ensure orderly and timely transitions in material or production flow.
- **[Core]** Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.
- **[Core]** Design or implement supply chains that support business strategies adapted to changing market conditions, new business opportunities, or cost reduction strategies.
- **[Supplemental]** Conduct or oversee the conduct of life cycle analyses to determine the environmental impacts of products, processes, or systems.
- **[Core]** Design or implement supply chains that support environmental policies.
- **[Core]** Design, implement, or oversee product take back or reverse logistics programs to ensure products are recycled, reused, or responsibly disposed.
- **[Core]** Evaluate and select information or other technology solutions to improve tracking and reporting of materials or products distribution, storage, or inventory.
- **[Core]** Identify opportunities to reuse or recycle materials to minimize consumption of new materials, minimize waste, or to convert wastes to by-products.
- **[Supplemental]** Investigate or review the carbon footprints and environmental performance records of current or potential storage and distribution service providers.
- **[Supplemental]** Locate or select biodegradable, non-toxic, or other environmentally friendly raw materials for manufacturing processes.
- **[Core]** Review or update supply chain practices in accordance with new or changing environmental policies, standards, regulations, or laws.
- **[Core]** Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move, or store materials.
- **[Core]** Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing, or receiving.
- **[Core]** Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.
- **[Core]** Monitor suppliers' activities to assess performance in meeting quality or delivery requirements.
- **[Core]** Monitor forecasts and quotas to identify changes and predict effects on supply chain activities.
- **[Core]** Identify or qualify new suppliers in collaboration with other departments, such as procurement, engineering, or quality assurance.
- **[Supplemental]** Forecast material costs or develop standard cost lists.
- **[Supplemental]** Appraise vendor manufacturing capabilities through on-site observations or other measurements.

## Detailed work activities

- Analyze data to assess operational or project effectiveness.
- Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities.
- Confer with organizational members to accomplish work activities.
- Coordinate with external parties to exchange information.
- Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.
- Develop organizational goals or objectives.
- Develop organizational methods or procedures.
- Develop procedures to evaluate organizational activities.
- Develop sustainable organizational policies or practices.
- Document organizational or operational procedures.
- Estimate cost or material requirements.
- Estimate labor requirements.
- Evaluate environmental impact of operational or development activities.
- Evaluate potential of products, technologies, or resources.
- Evaluate quality of materials or products.
- Identify opportunities for green initiatives.
- Implement organizational process or policy changes.
- Implement transportation changes to reduce environmental impact.
- Manage inventories of products or organizational resources.
- Manage operations, research, or logistics projects.
- Monitor external affairs or events affecting business operations.
- Monitor performance of organizational members or partners.
- Negotiate contracts for transportation, distribution, or logistics services.