What does supply chain management involve?

Supply chain management is primarily concerned with overseeing and optimizing the entire process involved in moving goods from the point of origin to the final consumer. This includes managing the flow of both products and information along the supply chain—from purchasing raw materials, manufacturing, warehousing, and transport, to the eventual distribution to consumers. Effectively managing these elements ensures that products are produced efficiently and delivered in a timely manner, which can significantly affect a company’s profitability and customer satisfaction.

The other options relate to different business functions. The distribution of profits among shareholders pertains to finance and accounting rather than supply chain logistics. The analysis of consumer market trends and behavior is more aligned with marketing research, focusing on understanding customer needs and preferences. Lastly, designing marketing strategies and promotional materials is a separate aspect of marketing that emphasizes how to effectively communicate and promote products to consumers, without directly involving the logistics of how those products are delivered.