Understanding the role of a Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant is essential for anyone seeking to optimize business operations through technology. This position requires a blend of analytical thinking, business process expertise, and technical knowledge. Functional consultants act as the bridge between business requirements and system implementation, ensuring that companies can leverage Dynamics 365 to enhance efficiency and achieve strategic objectives. Unlike traditional roles that only focus on execution, this position involves continuous engagement with stakeholders, problem-solving, and adapting processes to meet evolving business needs.
The Core Learning Experience
The structured course for this certification is designed to provide a thorough understanding of supply chain processes within Dynamics 365. Typically spanning four days, the curriculum is divided into six comprehensive modules. These modules introduce the platform’s capabilities, gradually building expertise in configuring system features, managing operational processes, implementing planning strategies, and supporting complex workflows. The learning experience is immersive, combining theoretical knowledge with practical exercises to ensure that candidates are prepared to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. Delivery methods can include both in-person sessions and virtual classrooms, allowing flexibility for different learning preferences.
Module Breakdown And Skills Development
Each module in the course is strategically designed to build competencies progressively. The first module focuses on configuring the Dynamics 365 environment to align with business requirements. This involves setting up core system functionalities, understanding security frameworks, and ensuring that the platform is ready for operational use. Establishing a solid foundation in configuration is crucial, as it enables consultants to efficiently manage subsequent tasks and processes.
The second module delves deeper into managing operational processes. This module emphasizes the importance of streamlining workflows, monitoring resource utilization, and optimizing transaction processing. By mastering these capabilities, consultants can ensure that business operations are executed smoothly and accurately. This stage of learning equips participants with the knowledge needed to support a variety of operational scenarios, ensuring that the system can handle dynamic and complex requirements.
Module three explores the implementation of planning strategies, focusing on the synchronization of resources, inventory, and operational timelines. Effective planning within Dynamics 365 allows organizations to reduce waste, anticipate demand, and improve production cycles. By understanding the principles of planning and how to configure them within the platform, consultants can contribute directly to the organization’s efficiency and profitability.
The fourth module introduces additional features that enhance operational performance. These may include advanced process automation, alerts, reporting mechanisms, and system integrations. Learning to implement these functionalities enables consultants to tailor the platform to specific business needs, ensuring that the system not only functions correctly but also provides actionable insights for decision-making.
Module five focuses on subcontracting and external collaborations within supply chain operations. This module emphasizes coordination with external partners, managing procurement processes, and tracking outsourced operations. Consultants gain insight into balancing internal workflows with external dependencies, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Audience Profile And Role Expectations
The Dynamics 365 Functional Consultant is responsible for understanding business requirements, translating them into system configurations, and ensuring that the platform supports organizational objectives. This role requires interaction with stakeholders, gathering detailed process information, and proposing solutions that maximize the capabilities of Dynamics 365. Unlike roles that focus solely on technical implementation, this position emphasizes strategic thinking, process optimization, and continuous engagement with business units to deliver measurable results. Functional consultants leverage out-of-the-box capabilities, codeless customization options, and system integrations to create efficient, scalable solutions.
Skills Gained Through the Certification
By completing the course, participants develop critical competencies essential for their professional growth. Consultants learn how to configure core system functionalities, manage complex operational processes, and implement planning strategies that align with organizational goals. They also gain the ability to explain system capabilities to stakeholders, enabling better adoption and more effective use of the platform. These skills position participants as trusted advisors within their organizations, capable of driving meaningful change and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Prerequisites And Preparation
While the certification is accessible to individuals with a basic understanding of supply chain concepts and Dynamics 365 platform fundamentals, candidates benefit from familiarity with business terminology and operational processes. Understanding the context of supply chain operations allows learners to apply system capabilities more effectively and to relate theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. Preparation for the certification involves a combination of guided learning, hands-on exercises, and self-study, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to demonstrate their expertise.
Real-World Application Of Knowledge
One of the most valuable aspects of this certification is the practical application of knowledge. Consultants are trained not just to understand the system but to apply it in ways that improve business performance. They learn to analyze existing processes, identify bottlenecks, and implement configurations that enhance efficiency. This hands-on experience ensures that candidates are ready to contribute from day one, providing organizations with tangible improvements in operational effectiveness.In summary, the Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Associate certification is designed for professionals aiming to bridge the gap between technology and business operations. The course provides an immersive learning experience, covering system configuration, process management, planning implementation, advanced features, and subcontracting operations. By mastering these areas, consultants can support organizations in achieving operational excellence, optimizing resources, and driving strategic growth. The role emphasizes not only technical proficiency but also strategic insight, making it a rewarding and impactful career path.
Advanced Configuration And Customization Techniques
In the realm of Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, configuration goes beyond simply setting up system parameters. Functional consultants must understand the interplay between modules and how changes in one area can impact operations across the entire supply chain. Advanced configuration involves tailoring workflows to align with specific business rules, ensuring that automated processes follow organizational policies, and establishing reporting structures that provide actionable insights. Consultants must also consider scalability, ensuring that configurations can accommodate growth and evolving operational requirements without causing system bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
Customization often involves creating codeless extensions, adjusting forms, and setting up business logic to handle unique scenarios. Unlike technical developers who focus on code-heavy solutions, functional consultants rely on the platform’s built-in tools to implement these customizations. Mastering these capabilities requires an understanding of how to balance system flexibility with simplicity, avoiding overcomplicated processes that could introduce errors or slow down operations. By leveraging these techniques, consultants can enhance user experience and drive adoption across departments.
Process Optimization And Operational Efficiency
A central responsibility of the functional consultant is to identify areas for process optimization. Dynamics 365 provides tools to analyze data, track resource utilization, and monitor process performance in real time. Consultants must learn to interpret these insights to propose adjustments that reduce waste, improve throughput, and enhance overall efficiency. This could include streamlining order-to-fulfillment cycles, optimizing inventory levels, or reducing downtime in logistics operations.
Understanding the interdependencies between processes is critical. For example, adjusting procurement schedules without considering production capacity could lead to stockouts or bottlenecks. A functional consultant must approach process optimization holistically, evaluating the impact of changes across the supply chain. By combining analytical skills with a deep understanding of Dynamics 365 functionality, consultants can implement solutions that improve operational outcomes while maintaining compliance and risk management standards.
Master Planning And Strategic Alignment
Master planning in Dynamics 365 is a sophisticated capability that allows organizations to align resources, production schedules, and inventory levels with anticipated demand. Functional consultants must understand demand forecasting, supply planning, and production scheduling to configure the system effectively. Master planning is not only about creating schedules; it is about synchronizing operations with strategic business objectives.
Consultants must learn how to define planning parameters, establish lead times, and set safety stock levels to maintain operational resilience. They also need to monitor plan execution and adjust configurations to respond to real-world deviations, such as supply disruptions or changes in demand. By mastering master planning capabilities, consultants help organizations reduce costs, prevent stockouts, and improve customer satisfaction while maintaining a balance between operational agility and strategic foresight.
Data Management And System Integrity
Accurate and reliable data is the backbone of effective supply chain operations. Functional consultants play a critical role in managing data integrity within Dynamics 365. This involves configuring data validation rules, establishing data governance practices, and monitoring transaction accuracy. Consultants must ensure that key data points, such as inventory levels, production schedules, and supplier information, are consistently updated and error-free.
Additionally, consultants are responsible for facilitating data integration between Dynamics 365 and other enterprise systems. This can include ERP modules, customer relationship management systems, and external logistics platforms. Ensuring seamless data flow is essential for enabling end-to-end visibility, which allows decision-makers to react quickly to operational changes. Consultants must also anticipate potential system conflicts and implement preventive measures to maintain data quality and reliability.
Advanced Reporting And Analytics
Beyond managing operations, functional consultants must equip organizations with tools to measure performance and support decision-making. Dynamics 365 provides extensive reporting and analytics capabilities, including dashboards, KPIs, and real-time insights. Consultants must learn how to configure these tools to highlight critical performance metrics, detect trends, and identify areas for improvement.
Advanced reporting goes beyond standard output; it requires understanding the strategic questions that leaders ask and tailoring reports to answer them. For instance, a consultant might create analytics that forecast inventory shortages, identify slow-moving items, or evaluate supplier performance. By combining technical knowledge with strategic insight, consultants enable organizations to make informed decisions that enhance competitiveness and operational resilience.
Change Management And User Adoption
Implementing Dynamics 365 solutions involves more than just system configuration. Functional consultants must also manage change and ensure smooth adoption by end-users. This requires clear communication, training programs, and ongoing support to address challenges that arise during implementation. Consultants must understand human factors, learning behaviors, and organizational culture to design interventions that promote acceptance and minimize resistance.
Effective change management ensures that the benefits of Dynamics 365 are fully realized. Consultants may use simulation exercises, interactive workshops, or process demonstrations to help users understand new workflows. By fostering confidence and competence among users, functional consultants increase the likelihood of successful implementation and continuous improvement within the organization.
Cross-Functional Collaboration And Stakeholder Engagement
A functional consultant operates at the intersection of multiple business areas. Collaboration with finance, procurement, logistics, production, and IT teams is crucial to implement solutions that meet diverse needs. Consultants must communicate effectively, gather input from different stakeholders, and translate business requirements into system configurations.
Stakeholder engagement is an ongoing process that extends beyond initial implementation. Consultants need to maintain relationships, monitor satisfaction, and incorporate feedback into system enhancements. This collaborative approach ensures that Dynamics 365 evolves with the business, supporting new initiatives, adapting to changing market conditions, and maintaining alignment with strategic goals.
Risk Management And Compliance Considerations
Supply chain operations often involve regulatory and contractual obligations. Functional consultants must configure Dynamics 365 to support compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards, and organizational policies. This can include setting up audit trails, monitoring critical process controls, and ensuring traceability of transactions.
By anticipating risks and implementing preventive configurations, consultants help organizations avoid costly disruptions, legal penalties, and operational inefficiencies. This proactive approach integrates risk management into everyday operations, enabling businesses to maintain reliability and reputation in a competitive market.
Continuous Learning And Professional Growth
The role of a Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant is dynamic and evolving. Consultants must stay current with updates to the platform, emerging technologies, and best practices in supply chain management. Continuous learning allows consultants to enhance their skills, expand their expertise, and provide greater value to their organizations.
This pursuit of knowledge often involves exploring rare or advanced functionalities, understanding system architecture, and experimenting with innovative workflows. By developing a mindset of lifelong learning, consultants not only maintain their professional relevance but also drive innovation and transformation within their organizations.
From configuration and customization to process optimization, master planning, and analytics, the consultant plays a pivotal role in enabling organizations to operate efficiently, strategically, and reliably. Beyond technical expertise, this role requires collaboration, change management, risk awareness, and continuous learning. By mastering these aspects, consultants ensure that Dynamics 365 becomes a tool for strategic growth rather than just a system for transactional operations.
Integration Strategies For Seamless Operations
Integrating Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management with other enterprise systems is a critical responsibility of the functional consultant. Modern supply chains rely on multiple digital systems, from ERP to warehouse management, procurement platforms, and transportation management solutions. Consultants must ensure that data flows seamlessly between these systems, minimizing manual intervention and reducing the risk of errors. This requires not just technical knowledge but also a strategic understanding of how each process interacts within the broader supply chain ecosystem. Integration strategies often include the use of APIs, standard connectors, and data synchronization mechanisms. Consultants must design these integrations to support real-time data visibility and maintain consistency across all platforms.
Optimizing Inventory And Resource Management
Effective inventory management is at the heart of a high-performing supply chain. Functional consultants play a key role in defining inventory parameters, managing stock levels, and implementing reorder strategies that align with demand forecasts. Understanding the nuances of different inventory types, such as raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, is crucial. Consultants must also address resource allocation, ensuring that labor, machinery, and production capacity are optimally deployed to meet operational requirements. This includes analyzing throughput, monitoring bottlenecks, and adjusting processes to balance efficiency with cost management. Rarely discussed, but equally important, is the strategic use of buffer stock and safety stock to mitigate risks associated with supply chain variability.
Advanced Workflow Automation
Automation is a powerful tool within Dynamics 365, but implementing it effectively requires deep knowledge of business processes. Functional consultants must design workflows that automate repetitive tasks while preserving flexibility for exceptions. This includes automating order processing, approvals, and notifications, as well as integrating automated decision rules into master planning and resource scheduling. The consultant’s challenge is to avoid over-automation, which can lead to inflexibility and increased risk when unexpected scenarios arise. By carefully analyzing operational requirements and applying conditional logic, consultants create workflows that are resilient, adaptable, and highly efficient.
Supply Chain Analytics And Predictive Insights
Functional consultants are increasingly expected to provide actionable insights that drive strategic decisions. Dynamics 365 offers advanced analytics capabilities, allowing consultants to monitor trends, predict outcomes, and optimize operations. This includes demand forecasting, supplier performance evaluation, and predictive maintenance planning. Consultants must interpret data not only to report past performance but also to anticipate future challenges and opportunities. A rare insight involves leveraging historical patterns to create predictive models for inventory shortages, production delays, or logistics disruptions, allowing proactive interventions rather than reactive solutions.
Collaboration And Cross-Functional Coordination
The functional consultant operates at the intersection of multiple departments. Success depends on the ability to facilitate communication and collaboration across finance, procurement, logistics, production, and IT teams. Consultants must translate complex system functionalities into business terms that stakeholders can understand. This requires not only technical expertise but also strong interpersonal skills. Rarely highlighted is the consultant’s role in mediating between competing priorities, balancing operational efficiency with strategic goals, and ensuring that system configurations serve the collective needs of the organization rather than individual departments.
Risk Identification And Mitigation
Supply chains are exposed to numerous risks, from supplier disruptions to regulatory changes and unforeseen market shifts. Functional consultants must incorporate risk management into system design, ensuring that critical processes are monitored and contingencies are in place. This includes setting up alert mechanisms, audit trails, and exception handling within Dynamics 365. Rarely emphasized is the proactive aspect of this role: anticipating potential bottlenecks or vulnerabilities before they impact operations, and configuring the system to provide early warning indicators. This predictive approach allows organizations to respond swiftly, minimizing financial and operational impacts.
Supporting Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Continuous improvement is a cornerstone of modern supply chain management. Functional consultants support these initiatives by identifying inefficiencies, recommending process adjustments, and monitoring the outcomes of implemented changes. This often involves iterative testing of system configurations, analyzing performance metrics, and refining workflows to optimize results. Consultants must foster a culture of adaptability, encouraging teams to embrace incremental improvements and leveraging system capabilities to support these changes. Rare insights include using scenario-based testing to simulate the effects of changes before implementing them, reducing operational risk while accelerating improvement cycles.
Knowledge Transfer And Mentorship
A less commonly discussed aspect of the consultant role is knowledge transfer. Functional consultants are responsible for ensuring that end-users and internal teams understand system capabilities, configuration rationale, and operational best practices. This involves designing training sessions, creating user guides, and mentoring junior consultants or internal super users. Effective knowledge transfer enhances system adoption and ensures sustainability of improvements. Rarely acknowledged, but highly valuable, is the consultant’s role in fostering analytical thinking among users, enabling them to interpret data independently and make informed decisions.
Scenario-Based Problem Solving
Functional consultants often encounter unique, complex problems that do not have straightforward solutions. Scenario-based problem solving is a critical skill in these situations. Consultants must analyze business processes, identify root causes, and design tailored configurations to address challenges. This may involve integrating multiple modules, leveraging automation, or redesigning workflows. Rarely discussed is the creative aspect of this work: consultants often need to devise unconventional solutions that optimize both system functionality and business outcomes, balancing compliance, efficiency, and scalability.
The Strategic Role Of The Consultant
Beyond operational responsibilities, functional consultants play a strategic role in shaping how supply chain management evolves within the organization. Their insights influence investment decisions, system upgrades, and long-term operational strategies. By aligning system capabilities with business objectives, consultants ensure that Dynamics 365 serves as a platform for growth and competitive advantage. Rare insights include recognizing emerging trends in supply chain digitization and identifying opportunities to integrate new technologies, such as AI-driven forecasting or IoT-based inventory tracking, into existing workflows to enhance responsiveness and efficiency.
Communication And Stakeholder Management
Effective communication is essential for bridging the gap between technical capabilities and business needs. Consultants must articulate complex system behaviors, limitations, and potential enhancements in terms that stakeholders can grasp. They must manage expectations, present trade-offs, and facilitate decision-making processes. Rarely explored is the consultant’s ability to influence strategic discussions by providing insights derived from system data, thereby positioning themselves as a key contributor to business strategy rather than merely a system implementer.
Adapting To Changing Business Requirements
Supply chains are dynamic, influenced by global trends, seasonal variations, and market demands. Functional consultants must configure Dynamics 365 to accommodate changing business requirements without causing disruption. This requires foresight in design, flexibility in workflows, and the ability to anticipate operational consequences. Rarely emphasized is the consultant’s role in scenario planning: simulating potential changes and adjusting system parameters to ensure resilience and adaptability under varying conditions.
Ensuring Data Governance And Compliance
Data governance is crucial for maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and security of information within Dynamics 365. Functional consultants establish validation rules, configure access controls, and monitor system activity to ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory standards. Rare insights involve understanding the interrelationship between governance policies and operational efficiency, ensuring that data controls enhance decision-making rather than create unnecessary bottlenecks. By implementing robust data governance frameworks, consultants safeguard operational continuity and support informed strategic planning.
From advanced integration and inventory management to automation, analytics, and risk mitigation, consultants operate at both operational and strategic levels. They are responsible for driving efficiency, supporting continuous improvement, and fostering data-driven decision-making. Rare insights in this part highlight the creative, proactive, and strategic aspects of the role, showcasing how functional consultants contribute far beyond system implementation. Their expertise ensures that Dynamics 365 is not just a tool but a strategic enabler for supply chain excellence.
Leveraging Emerging Technologies in Supply Chain
Functional consultants are increasingly expected to integrate emerging technologies into supply chain operations to enhance efficiency and visibility. Technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things provide actionable insights that can predict demand fluctuations, optimize inventory levels, and detect potential disruptions before they occur. Consultants must evaluate these technologies critically, understanding both the technical requirements and the business value they bring. Rarely discussed is the consultant’s role in assessing not just the immediate operational impact but also long-term scalability and integration challenges. By strategically adopting these innovations, consultants can help organizations build a resilient, forward-looking supply chain ecosystem.
Sustainable Supply Chain Practices
Sustainability is no longer an optional consideration; it is central to modern supply chain management. Functional consultants contribute by designing systems that track resource usage, reduce waste, and optimize logistics for environmental impact. They may implement solutions that monitor energy consumption, carbon footprint, and materials sourcing to ensure alignment with sustainability goals. Rare insights include the use of Dynamics 365 to simulate the effects of alternative sourcing strategies or transport routes on environmental impact while balancing cost and efficiency. This dual focus on operational excellence and sustainability allows organizations to meet regulatory requirements, satisfy stakeholder expectations, and achieve long-term viability.
Advanced Analytics And Decision Support
Data analytics is a cornerstone of the functional consultant’s role. Beyond reporting historical performance, consultants use advanced analytics to create predictive models and decision support systems. For instance, analyzing supplier performance data can reveal trends in delivery reliability, quality issues, or cost variations, enabling proactive adjustments to procurement strategies. Rarely highlighted is the ability to layer multiple data sources, such as market trends, customer behavior, and internal operations, to generate complex scenario analyses. Consultants translate these insights into actionable recommendations, providing leadership with a clear understanding of potential risks, opportunities, and trade-offs in decision-making.
Customization And Tailored Solutions
While Dynamics 365 offers extensive out-of-the-box functionalities, organizations often require configurations tailored to their unique processes. Functional consultants must balance standard capabilities with custom solutions to meet specific operational needs. This involves mapping processes meticulously, identifying gaps, and designing configurations that enhance efficiency without compromising system integrity. Rarely explored is the art of designing solutions that remain flexible enough to accommodate future growth or changes in business strategy. By doing so, consultants ensure that the system evolves alongside organizational needs, rather than becoming an obstacle to innovation.
Crisis Management And Contingency Planning
Supply chains are vulnerable to unexpected events such as natural disasters, geopolitical disruptions, or sudden market changes. Functional consultants play a crucial role in crisis management by configuring Dynamics 365 to support contingency plans. This includes scenario planning, alternative sourcing strategies, and rapid reallocation of resources. Rare insights involve creating simulation models that allow organizations to test response strategies in a controlled environment, identifying weaknesses before they impact operations. By embedding resilience into system design, consultants enable organizations to maintain operational continuity under extreme circumstances.
Enhancing Collaboration Across the Supply Chain
Modern supply chains are interconnected networks involving suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers. Functional consultants facilitate collaboration across these networks by configuring shared data platforms, automated communication flows, and centralized dashboards. Rarely acknowledged is the consultant’s role in fostering a culture of collaboration by aligning technology with process, encouraging cross-functional teams to share insights, and creating transparent accountability structures. Effective collaboration not only reduces errors and delays but also strengthens relationships with partners and enhances overall supply chain performance.
Continuous Learning And System Optimization
The Dynamics 365 environment is constantly evolving, requiring functional consultants to engage in continuous learning. Staying updated with new features, updates, and best practices ensures that the system remains optimized and aligned with organizational objectives. Rare insights include the proactive identification of underutilized features, the development of internal best practices, and the creation of optimization roadmaps that extend beyond immediate operational needs. Consultants act as catalysts for continuous improvement, ensuring that the organization derives maximum value from its investment in technology.
Risk Analytics And Strategic Forecasting
Risk management extends beyond operational disruptions to encompass strategic uncertainties such as market volatility, regulatory changes, and supply-demand imbalances. Functional consultants utilize risk analytics within Dynamics 365 to identify potential threats, model their impact, and propose mitigation strategies. Rarely discussed is the integration of external data sources, such as commodity price trends or geopolitical indicators, into system models to provide a more comprehensive risk assessment. By combining predictive analytics with real-time monitoring, consultants enable organizations to anticipate challenges and make informed, data-driven decisions that safeguard both profitability and operational stability.
Change Management And Organizational Readiness
Implementing or upgrading Dynamics 365 involves significant organizational change. Functional consultants are instrumental in guiding teams through transitions, ensuring system adoption, and minimizing resistance. This includes designing training programs, providing hands-on support, and communicating the rationale behind process changes. Rare insights emphasize the psychological and cultural aspects of change management: consultants must understand team dynamics, anticipate challenges in adoption, and foster a mindset of adaptability and continuous improvement. By addressing both technical and human factors, consultants ensure that transformations are sustainable and effective.
Strategic Use Of Automation
Automation in supply chain management extends far beyond basic task completion. Functional consultants design intelligent automation strategies that enhance decision-making, improve efficiency, and reduce operational risk. This includes integrating conditional workflows, automated exception handling, and predictive alerts. Rarely emphasized is the strategic consideration of automation’s long-term impact on workforce roles, process flexibility, and system maintainability. Consultants ensure that automation is applied in ways that complement human expertise, create scalable processes, and support evolving business strategies.
Cross-Industry Applications And Insights
While the functional consultant role is rooted in supply chain management, the principles and insights gained are applicable across industries. Consultants often draw on experiences in manufacturing, retail, logistics, or distribution to design innovative solutions. Rare insights involve transferring best practices across sectors, adapting proven process models, and tailoring configurations to meet industry-specific challenges. By leveraging a cross-industry perspective, consultants enhance problem-solving capabilities, foster innovation, and contribute to more robust, adaptable supply chain systems.
Driving Strategic Outcomes
Ultimately, the functional consultant’s role extends beyond operational support to driving strategic business outcomes. By configuring Dynamics 365 to provide visibility, efficiency, and predictive capabilities, consultants enable organizations to make informed decisions that support growth, resilience, and competitive advantage. Rare insights include identifying trends early, aligning system capabilities with business strategy, and proactively recommending improvements that position the organization for future success. The consultant’s expertise transforms Dynamics 365 from a transactional system into a strategic enabler that influences decision-making at every level.
Conclusion
Consultants are not only implementers of technology but also architects of resilience, efficiency, and continuous improvement within supply chains. By leveraging emerging technologies, enhancing collaboration, managing risks, and guiding organizational change, they ensure that Dynamics 365 functions as a critical enabler of business success. Rare insights throughout this part highlight how consultants extend their influence beyond immediate operational tasks, shaping the future trajectory of supply chain management within their organizations.