Hello there, my name is Richard McMunn from the interview training company PassMyInterview.com,
and in this tutorial, I will teach you how to pass a SUPPLY CHAIN interview.
So, it does not matter whether you are being interviewed to become a Supply Chain Manager,
a Supply Chain Specialist, or even if you are applying to be part of a Graduate Scheme
within supply chain, this tutorial will make a huge difference to your preparation, so
please do stick around and watch you from beginning to end.
Now, before I get into those tips and the all-important supply chain interview questions
and answers, a very warm welcome to this tutorial.
As I say, my name is Richard McMunn.
That's me there in the center, and I'm going to focus on giving you top scoring answers
that you can't find anywhere else.
On that basis, please do watch the video from beginning to end.
Please also SUBSCRIBE (thank you!) and I would very much appreciate it if you gave the video
a LIKE, that always motivates me to create more content for you.
Thank you very much.
Now, in preparation for your SUPPLY CHAIN interview, you and I need to make sure you
demonstrate the following key skills and attributes.
These are the things that you will be assessed against: your ability to build positive, long
lasting relationships with key suppliers, manufacturers and also logistic companies.
You also should have a thorough understanding of the supply chain process.
Now, if you don't know that, I will give you the perfect answer to an interview question
that is focused on your understanding of what the supply chain process is.
Now, a lot of people who work within the supply chain industry, believe they have the perfect
answer to this, but it can catch you out because it's a simple question, but you need to make
sure you demonstrate you have a thorough understanding, and I will make sure that you do that during
this tutorial.
Also, demonstrate that you have a determined, positive and resolute attitude towards your
duties, and ensure you have a thorough understanding of how the supply chain process can impact
both positively and negatively on your organization's operations.
And finally, prove that you have accuracy skills, problem solving skills, and also an
ability to solve problems whilst you are under pressure.
So, with the following supply chain interview questions and answers that are coming right
now, I will make sure that you demonstrate all of those key core skills and attributes.
So, the first question during any SUPPLY CHAIN INTERVIEW is going to be: Tell me about yourself?
So this question I have created for you is “Tell me about yourself and why we should
hire you in this supply chain position?”
So here is my perfect answer to this question.
“I have worked in supply chain for a number of years now and I feel the experiences I
have gained have brought me to the position I am in today, where I am a perfect match
for your company.
I am conscientious, determined, resilient and professional in my approach to my supply
chain duties, and I also understand that, without someone performing their duties in
this position to a high standard, your organization cannot function effectively.
With me, you will get someone who has a thorough understanding of the supply chain process,
an ability to work effectively as part of a team, and also a proven track record of
achievement whilst completing difficult tasks whilst under pressure.
You should hire me simply because, based on my experience, skills and passion, I am the
best person for this job.”
So that is a confident answer.
It's a positive answer, and it also demonstrates the core skills that are required to be competent
within any supply chain position.
So you can either take note of these answers, you can pause the video and write them down,
or if you stick around, I will tell you where you can download my full set of 22 Supply
Chain Interview Questions And Answers as we progress.
Second question.
“What is the supply chain?”
This is a common question during supply chain interviews and a lot of people that I've spoken
to believe they know what it is, but when they come to answer it, they can get caught
out.
So here is my model answer to this question: “In very simple terms, the supply chain
is a system that involves organizations, people, resources, activities and information that
are all involved in the process of moving a product or service from the supplier to
the customer.
With a supply chain, there are usually an entire network of different entities that
are all interlinked, working towards serving the same consumer or customer.
An example of a very simple supply chain, is where a vendor supplies a raw material,
a producer turns that material into a product, a warehouse then stores the product, a distribution
center delivers the product to a retailer, who then in turn delivers it to the consumer
or the end user.”
So that question demonstrates you have a thorough knowledge of what a supply chain is and how
important it is to the effective operations of an organization.
I've highlighted in red the key different entities of a supply chain and you need to
build your answer around those.
Okay.
Next question of your supply chain interview.
“Why have you chosen to work for our company in this position within supply chain?”
So it is a standard question, pretty much guaranteed to come up during your supply chain
interview.
Why do you want to work for our company?
Here's my suggested answer: “I have applied to work for your company for three specific
reasons.
The first reason is, because you are a leader within this industry, I know that I’ll be
supported in my role to carry out my duties to the highest standards possible.
Secondly, because you have lots of positive employee reviews on the website GlassDoor.com,
I think anyone would find you attractive as an employer.
Finally, looking at your latest news section on your website, you are clearly an employer
who has exciting and ambitious plans for the future.
On that basis, I would love to work for you, simply because you’re obviously striving
to be the best you can be, and you see your workforce as a core element of your future
plans and success.”
I like that answer because you're focusing on three specific things.
The majority of people at the supply chain interview who you are competing with, will
only come up with one reason, but you are giving three valid reasons why you want to
work for their organization.
The first one is that you will be supported to carry out your duties to the highest standards
possible.
The second one is that on the website GlassDoor, there are lots of positive employee reviews
which proves it's a great place to work.
And finally, they have exciting plans for the future and you want to be a part of that.
So, I have two more questions to run through, so please do stick around.
They’re tough ones, but I'll give you some great answers to them!
But when you're ready, click the link in the top right hand corner of that video and you
can download my full set of 22 Supply Chain Interview Questions and Top Scoring Answers!
Let's move onto next question.
“Tell me one thing you like the most about supply chain, and one thing you dislike?”
So, we're going to be careful when answering this question.
Let me repeat it.
“Tell me one thing you like the most about supply chain, and one thing you dislike?”
So you can't say “I don't like anything.”
or “I think there's nothing I dislike, I like everything about it.”
because that's not true!
There will be some things within any role that you dislike.
But we have to be careful what we say here.
So here's my great answer to this question.
“That’s a good question!
The one thing I like the most about working in supply chain is the fact you get to work
with so many different companies, people and organizations to build up long-term, positive
relationships that everyone can benefit from.
The sheer nature of supply chain means if one thing goes wrong, it can have a negative
impact on the entire chain, so it’s important to build up strong relationships where everyone
is aware of the standards and expectations.
The one thing I dislike is where, on the odd occasion, you’ll come across either a supplier,
manufacturer or distributor who doesn’t have the same drive, standards or expectations
as yourself, and obviously this is frustrating because it can impact on your own operational
capabilities.
Having said that, it is situations like this where I believe my strengths and my interpersonal
skills lie.
I enjoy a challenge and I will always go out of my way to get things sorted quickly in
order to keep the supply chain active and negate any negative impact on my employer
or their operations.”
That's a good answer because you are saying there is one thing that you dislike, which
anybody would dislike, that thing where you're waiting on a manufacturer, supplier or distributor
and they let you down, but you are building up the interpersonal skills to deal with that
particular challenge and you can overcome it.
Next question.
“Describe a time when you disagreed with your manager or supervisor?”
Now this is a common question during a supply chain interview, because you may find yourself
in a disagreement with your manager in respect of how to handle a particular part of the
supply chain, because when there are problems within supply chains, it can cause pressure
and somebody has to make a decision.
So, we have to be very careful how we answer this question, but we have to give a specific
time where you've disagreed.
So here is my great answer to this question.
“In a previous supply chain role, we encountered a situation where a manufacturer, who had
not let us down for many years, started to show signs of unreliability.
I approached my manager and suggested we should start to look for an alternative supplier
as soon as possible to ensure the supply chain was not affected.
My manager disagreed with me, and stated we should stick with them and give them the opportunity
to turn things around.
Although I disagreed with him, I respected his decision but I also started to explore
other manufacturers in my spare time, just in case he changed his mind and he gave me
the go ahead to look for someone else.
As it transpired, my manager was right and the manufacturer sorted things out.
However, I felt I dealt with the situation correctly and I would always raise any concerns,
if I felt it could impact negatively on the supply chain and, ultimately, our operations.”
So, that shows that your respectful, but more importantly, you're not afraid to speak out.
What I also like about that answer is you are taking the initiative to do the work in
your spare time to look for another manufacturer, just in case you need them and your manager
changes his or her mind!
That's a great answer!
So don't forget, if you'd like to download my full Supply Chain Interview Questions and
Answers to pretty much guarantee you pass your supply chain job interview, please click
the link below this video or go to my website PassMyInterview.com.
I hope you enjoyed those top-scoring answers.
Please SUBSCRIBE (Thanks!) and also please like the video.
Thanks Very Much!
I Appreciate that.
Thank you for watching and I wish you all the best for passing your supply chain interview.
Have a brilliant day.