Is there a typical career path in Supply Chain Management?

To be an effective supply chain specialist you need to start from the beginning and ensure that you build up on the basic. Once you have understood the basics, you can easily handle the supply chain of any industry.

Now the question arises what are the basics. These are:

(1) Understand the market fundamentals, (2) securing the product sourcing knowledge, (3) understanding the consumption centers, (4) Evaluating what type of inventory management your industry does, and last but definately not the least, (5) Risk Management

There is no standard career path in SCM. You are in control of your own destiny and have the opportunity to pursue hundreds of potential career paths. Your career path will be largely influenced by your skills, interests, and personal decisions. It will also be impacted by the size, type, geographic scope, and organizational structure of the firm that you choose to work for.

A broad base of business skills, knowledge of supply chain processes, and relevant internship/work experience will give you ample opportunity to begin your career with a manufacturer, retailer, carrier, third party logistics firm, or other organization. You will likely begin as a management trainee, analyst, or front line supervisor. As you demonstrate your managerial capabilities, you can progress to SCM positions of greater responsibility. You may also decide to gain experience in other parts of the organization.

One key to your success in this field is flexibility. You will work with people throughout your company—logistics, manufacturing, and marketing. Depending on the size of your company, your initial responsibilities may deal with one or more logistics functions. Some positions will require you to specialize in a specific area of SCM. There are numerous opportunities and career paths in this field—it is up to you to seek them out and develop the appropriate skills to be successful.

i think it would be starting from  working as  a staff in planning / logistics / daily  purchasing  / sourcing up to be a manager in one of those  then to be Supply chain director covering all these areas

SCM is wide which is linked to major all business . The step you take to learn is always continued till you come to retirement age- Mean there no stop in growing .  

No, there is no standard career path in SCM . Your journey will be as unique as you want it to be and will likely involve a great deal of variety. You're sure to gain experience in a number of different positions and departments within the organization. You may also move between organizations, industries, and types of employers (logistics services providers, manufacturers, consulting firms, and retailers) during your career. The keys to a success career include:

• building transferable skills that will serve you well in multiple positions
• learning to be a strong decision maker and accountable for your actions
• being a team player and a good colleague (i.e., people want to work for and with you)
• having some fun in the process (you'll burn out quickly if you don't enjoy what you do)