Yes, operations management is definitely a part of supply chain management, playing a crucial role within it. Understanding the difference between the two is important for effective business operations.

Operations management focuses on the internal process of transforming raw materials and resources into finished products or services. It's all about what happens inside the company walls, including:

• Production planning and scheduling: Deciding what to produce, when, and how much.
• Inventory management: Optimizing the levels of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods to avoid shortages or wastes.
• Process improvement: Continuously refining the production process to increase efficiency and quality.
• Quality control: Ensuring that products and services meet customer expectations.
• Workforce management: Recruiting, training, and scheduling employees effectively.

Supply chain management takes a broader view, encompassing the entire lifecycle of a product or service, from procurement of raw materials to delivery to the final customer. It involves the external flow of goods and information across multiple players and organizations, including:

• Sourcing and procurement: Selecting and contracting with suppliers for raw materials, components, and services.
• Transportation and logistics: Planning and managing the movement of goods from suppliers to manufacturers, distributors, and customers.
• Warehousing and distribution: Managing storage facilities and the efficient delivery of products to customers.
• Demand forecasting: Predicting customer demand to ensure optimal production and inventory levels.
• Collaboration and communication: Building strong relationships and information exchange with all stakeholders in the supply chain.

In a nutshell:

• Operations management is the engine that makes things.
• Supply chain management is the system that moves things.

Therefore, operations management is a key subset of supply chain management. They are intertwined and interdependent, with efficient operations being crucial for a smooth and successful supply chain.

Here's an analogy: Imagine a pizza delivery service. The kitchen staff and production processes are like operations management, ensuring pizzas are made efficiently and on time. The delivery drivers, logistics, and overall flow of orders are like supply chain management, getting the pizzas to customers quickly and in good condition. Both elements are essential for a happy customer!

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to discussion

Ultimately and historically, OM (operations management) is much older and much more mature than SCM (supply chain management). Any relatively old textbook on the subject of OM had several chapters on SCM topics located at the end of the book.

And, the theory on which OM (operations management) is based, the theory of "Operations Research" is a lot older as well.

E.g., you may check the following textbooks

Introduction to Operations Research, 11 ed, by Author: Frederick s. Hiller and Gerald J. Lieberman, published by: McGraw-Hill Education, 2021

and

Operations Management: Processes and Supply Chains, 13 ed, by Author: Lee J. Krajewski and Manoj K. Malhotra, published by: Pearson Education, 2022

vs 10 of the greatest SCM books.

Dr Steftcho P. Dokov thank you for your contribution to discussion

Supply chain management is a field of operations management that focuses on managing the flow of materials and information among suppliers and customers. Supply chain managers are responsible for coordinating the supply chain's activities to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. The operations manager manages the supply chain process by maintaining control of inventory management, the production process, distribution, sales, and sourcing of suppliers to supply required goods at reasonable prices. Supply chain management is important because it can help achieve several business objectives. For instance, controlling manufacturing processes can improve product quality, reducing the risk of recalls and lawsuits while helping to build a strong consumer brand. Supply Chain – A set of systems that shows the flow of a good or service, information, and finances. Supply Chain Management- Supply chain management is the handling of the entire production flow of a good or service to maximize quality, delivery, customer experience and profitability. While supplier management focuses on the supplier relationship, supply chain management deals with all the logistics processes along the entire supply chain. In addition to managing the flow of goods, this also includes optimizing the flow of information and money. Distribution refers to the movement of goods from a manufacturer or supplier to a retailer or customer. It involves activities such as transportation, storage, and delivery. On the other hand, supply chain encompasses all activities involved in delivering a product from its raw materials stage to the final customer.The major difference between supply chain management and operations management is that the supply chain is mainly concerned with what happens outside the company obtaining materials and delivering products while operations management is concerned with what happens inside the company. Operation management is concerned with identifying the time schedule and machine allocation required to produce quality material. Supply chain management enables an inventory of raw materials to ensure smooth functioning of operations in an organization. Overall, supply chain is sourcing and moving both the raw materials and the finished product. Operations management is the part in the middle where the product is created from the raw materials. Supply chain is how you get it and get it to customers.