About the Supply Chain Management Program

When you earn a Western Michigan University bachelor’s or a graduate certificate, you will experience the distinctive aspects of our supply chain program that set WMU apart—real-world experiences, emerging technologies, sustainability and ethics, and faculty experts invested in your success. The powerful combination of industry knowledge and professional development will give you the experience that employers value so that you graduate with job offers in hand.

Supply industry with top talent

Our program is ranked by Gartner in the top undergraduate supply chain programs and often recognized for its unique curriculum. This distinction places it within the top tier of programs nationwide—an honor that WMU has enjoyed since 2009 and which celebrates the exceptional caliber of the program. And there is good reason for this recognition:

  • Students who graduate with positions in competitive roles and represent numerous industries.
  • Graduates who are impacting their organizations and the field in general.
  • A program that represents diverse industries in its curriculum with a broad emphasis on the role supply chains play in the larger economy. 
  • A continuously evaluated and refined curriculum with extensive input from leaders in industry partners.
  • A complete educational experience for students that includes technical skills and professional development with an emphasis on industry experience. 

This is the future of supply chains—flexible, agile and responsive—and this is where WMU’s supply chain management program is leading the way.

  • Our program uniquely prepares students not just to enter the supply chain industry, but to excel in it. Our graduates leave with a comprehensive, practical, and forward-thinking education that makes them highly sought-after by employers.

    Dr. Sime Curkovic, professor of supply chain management

Supply chain management student and professor collaborating in a computer lab.

Enter the working world with a remarkable resume

With access to alumni and extensive partnerships with industry, you will graduate ready to meet the challenges of today’s supply chain field. Check out some of the companies you will have an opportunity to work with:

  • Graphic Packaging International logo in green and black.
  • Perrigo logo in blue.
  • Pratt Industries logo in green and black.
  • SpartanNash logo in shades of green and yellow.
  • Stryker logo in black.
  • Surus logo and grey text with a red elephant.

Our history, your legacy

Western Michigan University's supply chain management program was launched in September 1992 and in 2011 earned its first national ranking, being named No. 12 in undergraduate supply chain education by Gartner. WMU has been consistently ranked as a top program in the nation by Gartner ever since.

Our commitment to continuously improving the program requires extensive industry collaboration. The program's advisory board helps fill that need, ensuring our students receive an exceptional education and are prepared to add immediate value to organizations.

Less than 6% of business schools worldwide have obtained AACSB accreditation—and WMU Haworth is one of them, making it an excellent choice for students seeking quality education that is a good investment of their tuition dollars. WMU Haworth has maintained its AACSB accreditation since 1970 for undergraduate programs and 1981 for its graduate programs.

  • Advisory Board

    Western Michigan University's Supply Chain Management Advisory Board is an integral part of the program. Board members are essential resources and provide a direct connection to industry trends and play a crucial role in developing our curriculum.

    Jared Ambrosier, chief procurement officer, State of Michigan | executive

    Joseph (Joe) Au, supply chain manager, Kroger Michigan Division | executive

    Orhan Bazna, senior vice president of supply chain and operations, Perrigo | executive

    Jill Bland, B.B.A.'84, managing partner of economic development, Southwest Michigan First | executive

    Travis Clausnitzer, director of procurement, Orora Packaging Solutions | executive

    Mike Clem, vice president of purchasing, AGCO Corporation | executive

    Daniel Crabtree, B.B.A.'99, vice president of strategic sourcing & supply chain, SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. | executive

    Joseph (Joe) Cronk, B.B.A.'12, global category manager of indirect services, Emergent | executive

    Hanna Downs, B.B.A.'14, team lead of facilities programs and engagement, Rivian | young executive

    David Drouillard, B.B.A.'84, executive director of transmission & thermal purchasing, General Motors | executive

    Joel Eyrich, B.B.A.'17, customer supply chain manager, Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc. | young executive

    Christopher (Chris) Flum, B.B.A.'86, vice president of purchasing & supply chain, Magna International | executive

    Joseph (Joe) Granger, B.B.A.'16, program manager of supply and demand chain planning, AGCO Corporation | young executive

    Chad Gritzmaker, B.B.A.'03, senior manager of procurement, Adient | executive

    Kristen Halverson, MBA'11, vice president of North American raw materials & energy procurement, Kellogg Company | executive

    Eric Hefke, B.B.A.'96, vice president of global logistics, Lear Corporation | executive

    Brian Hemmerly, B.B.A.'00, vice president of strategic sourcing, Idex Corporation | executive

    John Herzig, senior director of supply chain, Robert Weed | executive

    Bob Horn, executive vice president, JLL | executive

    Kelli Howard, vice president of supply chain, Land O' Frost | executive

    Ashley Kordish, B.B.A.'14, CEO, Ralph Moyle, Inc. | executive

    Jeff Lau, B.B.A.'95, CEO, Argus Logistics | executive

    David Lipowski, product planning manager, Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies | executive

    Daniel Maurer, B.B.A.'07, senior materials manager, Parker Aerospace | executive

    Tim McConnell, B.S.'07, director of supplier quality & performance management, Trinity Health | executive

    Richard (Rick) McLeod, senior vice president of supply chain, Graphic Packaging International | executive

    Nick Meyer, MBA'16, vice president of supply chain, Advantage Solutions | executive

    Dameka Miller, M.P.A.'02, vice president of strategic sourcing & value analysis, Trinity Health | executive

    Deian Nikolov, vice president of inventory management, SpartanNash | executive

    Courtney Patterson, B.B.A.'17, purchasing project manager, Mann+Hummel | young executive

    Dale C. Pease, B.B.A.'00, vice president of division operations, Stryker | executive

    Heidi Peterson, vice president of operations, Haworth | executive

    Rick Phillips, vice president of advisory services, HealthTrust | executive

    Kipp Podlewski, B.B.A.'95, vice president of procurement, Orora Packaging Solutions | executive

    Carolyn Ridderman, B.B.A.'01, vice president of instruments - global customer care, Stryker | executive

    Brad Roberts, B.B.A.'11, director of purchasing, Mann+Hummel | executive

    Charlie Rupert, B.S.'01, CEO, Singh Vision Systems | executive

    Michael Schwandt, B.B.A.'13, supervisor of in-vehicle software purchasing, General Motors | executive

    Holly Scott, vice president of supply chain strategy & services, Meijer | executive

    Carly Shipman, B.B.A.'20, supply procurement, Diageo | young executive

    Sara Simic, B.B.A.'14, manager of professional education, Johnson & Johnson | young executive

    Sam Sisler, B.B.A.'21, supply chain & sourcing manager, Owens Corning | young executive

    Jon Smucker, senior director of external supply chain, Kellogg Company | executive

    Jake Stiteler, B.B.A.'96, vice president of operations, American Axle & Manufacturing | executive

    Kris Tewkesbury, vice president of global purchasing and supply chain, Summit Polymers | executive

    Greg Toornman, B.B.A.'92, vice president of global materials, logistics, and demand planning, AGCO Corporation | executive

    Tim Tyler, president & CEO, Borroughs | executive

    Ben VanderHulst, supply chain manager, Advantage Solutions | executive

    Michael (Mike) Way, MBA'87, senior vice president of supply chain, facilities & real estate, Bronson Healthcare | executive

    Thom Wayne, director of purchasing, Summit Polymers | executive

    Matt Webster, B.B.A.'01, MBA'15, director of supply chain & CI, Schupan & Sons | executive

  • Center for Supply Chain Managment

    The Western Michigan University Center for Supply Chain Management is a destination for companies or individuals seeking a true value chain center of excellence. It is made up of experienced faculty and staff committed to developing supply chain management professionals who can immediately make a contribution and create a competitive advantage for their organizations by applying the tools and concepts for integrating supply functions into efficient and effective value chain networks. Supply chain professionals at all levels can take advantage of workshops that provide participants with best-practice rules, tools and processes to increase functional performance directly applied to their industry and company.

    The future of supply chains—dynamic, agile and responsive. WMU's Center for Integrated Supply Management supports transforming industry through:

    • Providing talent from one of the top undergraduate supply chain programs in the country.
    • Channeling our resources and expertise toward offering advanced degrees.
    • Applied workforce education and training.
    • Cutting-edge research.

    Learn about workshops

Student being congratulation by other students during workshop

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