From day-to-day function to strategic competitive advantage 1. Introduction & the Early Days The term “supply chain management” was first introduced in 1982 by Keith Oliver, then a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. However, the concept of supply chain, as well as its major components, like procurement, logistics and warehousing, was known in management long before. Essentially, the first supply chains originated along with the first assembly lines in the early 20^thcentury