As technology enables more companies to enter emerging markets across the globe, the business world is becoming more interconnected – and the supply chain is becoming more complex. Businesses worldwide may face greater competition in recruiting professionals with the right supply chain management skills.
In fact, industry experts point to shortages of new workers entering the field at a time when demand is increasing. The past few years have seen a talent drain in the field, fueled in part by the global recession and an aging workforce.
For example, a recent DHL report noted that auto industry supply chain jobs currently outnumber qualified graduates by a ratio of 6 to 1; this could increase to 9 to 1 in the future. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for supply chain professionals, or logisticians, will rise by 22% between 2012 and 2022 – that’s twice the average growth rate projected for all occupations during the same decade.
It’s clear that supply chain management is crucial to companies looking to diversify markets, improve the bottom line and remain competitive. At the same time, the skills needed to succeed in this field are evolving. So, what do forward-thinking companies need from supply chain professionals?
Volatility in commodities markets, regional economies and global trade creates variables that place increasing pressure on supply chains. As a result, companies will likely need candidates with a mix of specialized skills in order to deal with such challenges. These key skills can include:
In the global economy, companies that wish to remain competitive are likely to need:
A superior supply chain manager can provide operational success by reducing costs, extracting more value out of the supply chain, and enabling expansion into emerging markets, such as India, Brazil, China and Russia.
With so much at stake in the modern economy, qualified supply chain professionals could see unprecedented opportunities to make significant contributions to global organizations. Finding talented supply chain managers is key to building a world-class supply chain.
As businesses become more aggressive with cutting costs and boosting efficiencies in order to stay viable in an increasingly competitive environment, they will look for individuals with specialized supply chain skills and training.