Profession under pressure: Supply Chain talent increasingly scarce

It is no coincidence that companies are finding it increasingly difficult to find the right Supply Chain professionals. At Moore, we see three main reasons for this.

We simply need to do more Supply Chain work

Since the first lockdowns in 2020, supply problems and shortages have been piling up. This creates a bigger workload. For example, the acute shortage of parts is forcing car manufacturers adjust production schedules daily. Textile manufacturers and electronics distributors must continually adjust the priority of customer orders. And the chemical and food processing industries have to track their suppliers even more closely as the supply remain critical. In addition, many companies are being forced to start projects that they postponed during the pandemic. The ongoing disruptions on the one hand, and the urgency of projects on the other, mean that there is more and more work for Supply Chain professionals in most sectors.

Higher work pressure causes higher turnover among planners 

Supply Chain planners and logistics coordinators are always exposed to pressure and tight timelines. But the ongoing disruptions of recent years are keeping stress levels exceptionally high. Because of this sky-high workload, we’re seeing more people off work for longer periods due to stress and burnout, and more logistics professionals are considering changing roles or even leaving the industry entirely. As a result, Supply Chain teams are having to deal with employees leaving or wanting to focus on different areas.

More complex Supply Chain management and digital transformation require different skills

In most industries, logistics chains have evolved into complex networks. Not only are they less linear than they were, say, two decades ago, but right now many are in the midst of full digital transformation. Managing today’s Supply Chain networks therefore requires different skills than before. The traditional transactional operational functions in planning and logistics coordination look completely different today, with more analysis, more dynamics, and more complexity. With the introduction of new software, Supply Chain professionals now have to work with a mass of data from numerous systems and new information sources. For many organizations, finding the necessary hands-on people with excellent problem-solving skills and strong data DNA is a huge challenge.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to better manage the available talent and also attract new talent.

Go for ‘first things first’ and ‘less is more’

As tricky as this might be, Supply Chain leaders need to focuson putting the right policies in place. This is a balancing act, however. Not only do many organizations now have to make a giant leap toward innovation, but they must also optimally deploy the scarce Supply Chain talent to properly manage the logistics flows that support their business. This isn’t an easy task. So a successful policy requires more focus than ever and careful consideration of how your Supply Chain talent is deployed.

Ensure a good work-life balance and upgrade the profession

Companies are increasingly realizing how important a smooth Supply Chain is. As a result, Supply Chain functions have gained status, and salaries have increased too. Executives are increasingly aware that they need to make the profession more attractive in order to find and keep the right people. An innovative mindset is important in this regard. It’s not only the salary and the perks that matter, but also a better work-life balance, which is becoming increasingly important. For example, the American company Sysco, one of the largest food-processing companies in the world, offers logistics employees a four-day week. In addition, we see more and more knowledge workers working remotely, even now that the lockdowns are over.

Give young talent opportunities faster

Digitization gives leading Supply Chain organizations the opportunity to advance young people and new starters very quickly. For example, we are seeing Generation Z taking on strategic projects and leadership roles earlier in their careers. Companies today can nurture fresh Supply Chain talent better than ever by offering them every possible development opportunity. Offering high-quality training is also crucial to optimal growth.

Trust external Supply Chain professionals

As it’s becoming very difficult to always have the right talent in the right place, the demand for external help is increasing. More and more companies are turning to external service providers and freelance logisticians. And they’re not just being used to provide help with short Supply Chain projects; they are increasingly taking on long-term roles – a logistics managers, for example – at the core of operations.

Did you know that Moore doesn’t just support companies in optimizing their Supply Chain? Our people can also help to run your Supply Chain. For example, our experts can temporarily take the lead in production planning and controlling your logistics flows.

Want to know more? Get in touch and one of our experts will be happy to discuss your needs.