2026-03-22
How to read a supply chain job ad in Germany
Start with the contract type and location. A posting that lists alternating early and late shifts is telling you something different from one that mentions Monday-to-Friday planning hours. Match your availability before you invest hours in a custom cover letter.
Look for named systems. SAP WM, a specific TMS, or Excel-heavy planning are not interchangeable. If you have adjacent experience, say what you used and what you learned that transfers — without inventing tool names.
Phrases like 'ideally' or 'von Vorteil' often mark preferences. Hard requirements usually sit near licences, language level, or years in a named environment. Apply when you meet the hard lines and can honestly speak to most of the preferences.
Team size and reporting lines hint at seniority. Supporting a lead planner is a different application story from owning the weekly replenishment meeting. Mirror the seniority level in your duty bullets.
If the ad is thin, treat that as a signal to ask clarifying questions in your first reply or call — site type, shift, and whether the role is more floor-facing or desk-facing. Thin ads still deserve a precise CV, not a generic one.