Supply Chain Management
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Ralph Kauffman, Ph.D. Ralph Kauffman, Ph.D. Associate Professor & Purchasing Program Coordinator Room 1017-N (713) 221 - 8962 kauffmanr@uhd.edu

Each year over $1,500 billion of materials are purchased and utilized by manufacturing firms alone. Federal, state, and local governments purchase another $1,000 billion of goods and services per year. In Houston and across the nation, the acquisition and management of materials and servicies play an important role in the economy. In the private sector, every dollar saved by supply chain professionals adds another dollar to profit. In the public sector, every dollar saved by a governmental procurement office represents either a dollar available for another project or for tax reductions.

Career opportunities in the Supply Chain Management area are available for students with a sound understanding of supply chain management and strategy. Graduates of UH-D’s program are currently employed by hospitals, state and county health departments, public utilities, and such diverse industries as engineering and construction, manufacturing, parts distribution, chemicals, oil, foods, trucking, pipelines, and retail organizations


A major in Supply Chain Management combined with a minor in an area such as engineering technology, marketing, or management provides a broad background which can enhance students’ career opportunities.

The University of Houston-Downtown offers the only AACSB accredited Supply Chain Management major in Texas. The program is frequently updated in consultation with the National Association of Purchasing Management-Houston and the local chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.

Web sites of Interest

Institute for Supply Management

Supply Chain Management Publication and Logistics Publication

FOCUS: Fast Open Contracts Utilization Services

General Services Administration