Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

Which function does a functional manager typically oversee?

1. Entire organizational objectives

2. Specific organizational units like IT or marketing

3. Company-wide strategies

4. General project oversight

The correct answer is: Specific organizational units like IT or marketing

A functional manager typically oversees specific organizational units such as IT, marketing, finance, or human resources. This role involves managing the day-to-day operations, setting departmental goals, and ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently within that particular function. The functional manager is responsible for the performance of their unit, aligning it with the company's overall strategy but focusing primarily on the specialized activities, processes, and personnel involved in their specific area of expertise. In contrast, overseeing entire organizational objectives pertains more to executive or upper management roles, which involve a broader scope of decision-making across the entire organization. Company-wide strategies also fall under the purview of senior leadership who develop and implement long-term strategies that affect all functional areas. General project oversight typically relates to project managers who may oversee various projects that cut across multiple functional areas, but this is distinct from the responsibilities of a functional manager, who focuses on one specific unit.