Having the right supply chain talent with the right skill set is not a new problem in an industry constantly challenged by disruptions and in an ever-evolving context. Suitable talent is part of the strategy or execution in solving complex operations like the ones impacted by the Suez Canal blockage or disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, always supporting businesses’ resiliency.
A “side effect” of being an executive search company is that we are constantly in touch with supply chain leaders and hiring managers, helping us understand companies’ talent needs. We have started formalizing this feedback with annual surveys, and this year, we surveyed 150+ executives.
Talent doesn’t have straightforward solutions and requires customizations and development as the complexities increase and companies undergo major digital transformations while needing to continue business-as-usual operations.
Similar to the 2023 survey, the Biggest Challenges in Hiring Supply Chain Leaders have kept the same order of importance, with 65% of the Alcott Global 2024 survey respondents highlighting that their biggest challenge when hiring for Supply Chain Leadership Roles is finding candidates with the right skill set, including finding candidates with profound operational experience and IT skills as well as finding candidates with the right attitude (rather than skill).
While supply chain teams are large organizations within their companies, structured on several pillars, one of the enemies of operations excellence is the scary four-lettered word: S-I-L-O. With 96% of the respondents agreeing that an End-to-End Understanding of Supply Chain Operations is the most important knowledge that supply chain teams should have, it’s clearly an asset when leaders and teams alike embody a holistic understanding of how their supply chain works and how their respective roles deliver value on the chain. Other skills that are top-of-the-list priorities when it comes to talent development and hiring teams are data analytics skills (59%), understanding of the latest supply chain technologies (45%), and ESG and sustainability practices (38%).
When asked about the strategic priorities for the following 12 months, 76% of respondents agreed that cost reduction, efficiency improvement, digital transformation, and technology adoption are in focus.
This only reinforces the need for talent with a holistic understanding of the end-to-end supply chain capable of deriving insights-driven cost reduction and efficiency improvement strategies through data analytics and tech-savviness and aligns with the trends of 2024 we foreseen in the first months of the year.
Addressing key challenges and focusing on hiring suitable talent or upskilling is vital for navigating any curveballs supply chains will encounter. By proactively adapting to future trends and investing in talent, companies can build resilient and effective supply chain teams to ride the wave of disruptions with a competitive business advantage.
