Nutrien employee’s career journey powered by Supply Chain Canada’s educational opportunities
Dana Hough has almost literally worked his way up to where he is today at one of Canada’s largest agricultural and resource firms.
Having started with Nutrien at its Allan potash operation southeast of Saskatoon working underground in the mine, he eventually moved above ground to work in shipping and receiving, where he learned many aspects of the supply chain and warehousing. Yet, after a few years, he recognized the need for more education to advance his career in supply chain management.
“So, I started to take night classes to work toward my diploma in the field,” says Hough about the Supply Chain Management Training (SMT) program.
Offered by Supply Chain Canada Institutes, the SMT program offers early-stage to mid-level practitioners working in warehousing, logistics, procurement, and shipping and receiving the necessary skills to advance their careers in this important facet of operations for many different sectors of the economy, mining and agriculture included. Learners completing the training earn a diploma in supply chain management, which often leads them in the future to take a more advanced training from Supply Chain Canada and earn a Supply Chain Management Professional designation (SCMP).
Available online, both programs offer learners the flexibility to work through course materials while continuing to work in their current supply chain-related occupations.
For Hough, getting his SMT was the first step toward where he is today as an inventory controller at Nutrien, a position he has held for the last six years.
The SMT program covers many aspects of supply chain management, providing comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the field. Courses cover, for example, procurement, logistics, and transportation and operations management. As well, the SMT course provides soft skills training so individuals graduate as better communicators, are able to foster better workplace relationships, and become more adept negotiators on procurement and other contracts.
“The SMT program is an excellent foot-in-the-door for individuals early in their roles in supply chain seeking to advance their careers,” says DonnaLyn Thorsteinson, chief executive officer of the Saskatchewan Institute for Supply Chain Canada.
Many SMT diploma graduates often then pursue a SCMP designation from the institute as they progress into management roles.
It’s a path Hough followed while taking night classes at the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business to gain many of the prerequisites to enrol in the SCMP program, which requires a business-related post-secondary degree or diploma, or five years of supply chain work experience.
Individuals taking the course receive in-depth education on global, public sector, and major capital project supply chain management. As well, they participate in facilitated workshops providing hands-on knowledge in leadership, negotiation, and contract law.
“The SCMP designation is Canada’s leading designation for supply chain professionals,” Thorsteinson says.
Hough can certainly attest to that.
“Without a doubt, what I learned through these programs helped me excel at Nutrien, applying acquired skills and concepts daily as a supply chain management professional,” says Hough.
Other individuals working in supply chain positions in the province can look forward to a similar trajectory upon receiving their SMT diploma and SCMP designation, Thorsteinson says.
“While Hough’s story may differ from yours, there are numerous paths to successfully complete our programs, and we look forward to working with you to explore your options,” says Thorsteinson.
To learn more about the Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) and Supply Chain Management Training (SMT) programs, visit supplychaincanada.com, email info.sk@supplychaincanada.com, or call 306-653-8899.
