Supply chain management professionals ensure that the desired product is available to the customer in the right condition and quantity and at the right time, place, and cost. To perform this function efficiently, firms need to coordinate logistics, transportation, warehouse location and operation, inventory management, packaging and other functions in a cost effective manner. In this age of globalization, supply chain management professionals actively operate at the hub of an organization, interacting regularly with all other departments in the firm, including sales and marketing, finance, and operations, and with suppliers and customers located around the world.