Minneapolis, MINN.— Carlson School of Management undergraduate students can choose a major that integrates the entire procurement, manufacturing, distribution and marketing processes, with the new Supply Chain Management concentration.

The major is modeled after the school's MBA concentration. The undergraduate curriculum integrates courses in three different areas: Marketing and Logistics Management, Operations and Management Sciences, and Information and Decision Sciences. Supply Chain Management graduates will be able to manage the flow of goods, information and services to reduce costs and increase value to both consumers and shareholders.

"Supply chain graduates will be exposed to a multi-functional environment," said director of supply chain initiatives Fred Beier. "The program was developed in response to the needs of the businesses in which graduates will work."

Beier said the graduate program prepares students for a strategic level of management while the undergraduate program will take a more tactical look at the supply chain. He said the undergraduate program will ready students for entry-level positions with manufacturers, distributorships or in marketing.

"They will work with teams from different parts of their organization and will have to know how to deal with a variety of functions of the supply chain within the organization," added Beier. "The program combines the disciplines of marketing and operations and combines it with training in information technology and e-business, which is the glue that holds it all together."

There is an increasing demand for supply chain managers to improve a company's competitive advantage and help increase sales and profits faster. Distributors and manufacturers compete with retailers, consulting firms and fulfillment houses for graduates of supply chain management schools. Supply Chain Management staff also are essential to e-business enterprises, said Beier.