Moving up the supply chain career ladder

With degrees in industrial engineering and project management and experience as a logistics professional, Jacobo Brandel chose Towson University’s Master of Science in supply chain management to learn more about other areas of the supply chain.

“The program heightened my resume, allowing me to go beyond my logistics background by gaining knowledge and work experience in other areas of the supply chain,” says Brandel, who is originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The TU supply chain program not only offered Brandel key areas of study—his favorites being logistics and distribution, operations management and supply chain analytics—but he also gained valuable knowledge beyond the classroom walls.

“The program allows students to experience hands-on learning in a real supply chain work environment,” says Brandel. “Students take part in plant tours, obtain discounts on supply chain conferences, and even meet guest speakers working at executive levels.”

Over the course of his studies, Brandel visited Under Armour DC, Barcoding Inc. and Flying Dog Brewery. He also attended a couple of supply chain forums, one of which was at M&T Bank.

“ The program allows students to experience hands-on learning in a real supply chain work environment. ”

At TU, Brandel also worked as a part-time research assistant for the supply chain management program director, where he successfully researched and published two articles in the Baltimore Business Review—a journal jointly produced by Towson University’s College of Business and Economics and the CFA Society of Baltimore.

Brandel also served as president of the Supply Chain Management Association.
Later on in the program, Brandel accepted an internship position in operations with Reyes Holdings, the largest beer distributor in the United States.

Despite his demanding schedule, Brandel graduated in 2014 with a 3.98 GPA.
After graduation, Brandel accepted a job at Gildan as a regional operations project manager in Honduras. In 2017, he became the Regional Planning Senior Manager. Recently recognized for buying North American clothing manufacturer American Apparel, Gildan reigns as one of the largest clothing manufacturers in the world.

On the job, Brandel strives to assess risk properly and to always have a few backup plans— something he hopes all supply chain management graduates will remember.

“Performing a good risk assessment that allows you flexibility in the supply chain is critical to react quickly in order to continue servicing the customer at the expected service levels,” says Brandel. “Having a plan B, C and D is always a must.”