GOOD QUESTION | What’s the first thing you would do to address the supply chain talent gap?
Cast a wider net. Recruit graduates with non-traditional degrees. Work with vocational schools to create two-year-degree supply chain programs. Perhaps even create near-shore supply chain centers of expertise.
Andrew Kirkwood
Chief Executive Officer
BluJay Solutions
Change the buzz around supply chain to make it sexier and more inviting to potential talent. Make sure they understand it’s a key determinant of enterprise success.
Guy Bloch
CEO, Bringg
Dispel misconceptions about jobs in supply chain and logistics. No other industry is able to provide such a vast array of opportunities at every level.
Robin Siekerman
Vice President, Marketing and Customer Solutions
The Shippers Group
Invest in a robust recruiting effort to attract young talent from universities and develop supply chain internship programs to build a network of talent. Creating interesting jobs such as ones focused on big data and machine learning draws talented people with different skill sets.
Dan Curtis
President
BNSF Logistics
Develop a relationship with the supply chain/logistics program at your local community college to draw talent with tactical planning and implementation skills.
Rex Beck
Professor
Business Logistics Management
Norco College
Increase awareness of supply chain career opportunities among people of all profiles and backgrounds—particularly younger generations and women.
Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CPA, CAE
CEO, ASCM
Empower people from within. Whether it’s hiring an internal training leader or partnering with an outside provider, investing in the right skills training is critical.
Ben Green
Director of Human Resources and Corporate Services
LeanCor Supply Chain Group
Revise the curriculum at trade schools and universities to match what industry is asking for in recruiting actions. Doing this will enable schools to better meet the needs of industry with qualified candidates.
Joe Walden
Lecturer
Supply Chain Management
The University of Kansas
Prospect the right employees and communicate that there is an opportunity for growth in the industry. Invest in talent and individual advancement through training and professional development.
Cosmo Alberico
Chief Operating Officer & CFO
Odyssey Logistics & Technology
Collaborate with others to educate high school and university guidance counselors on the importance of the supply chain in commerce and the variety of career opportunities that exist.
Lamar Johnson
Sr. Associate Director
Texas McCombs Supply Chain Management Center
Define professional and personal attributes, experiences, and skills that drive success. Forecast when and where the talent is needed, and curate talent across the firm.
Michael Notarangeli
Executive Vice President, Logistics
Maine Pointe
Stop focusing too much on today and look to the future. Prepared for not just today, but for what’s to come in the next 15-20 years. To address the gap, we need to determine where the industry is going and work backwards.
Ashish Rangnekar
Co-founder and CEO
BenchPrep
Identify knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the current and future role. Identify whether the gap exists because of a lack of qualified supply chain talent, or undefined expectations. Address the gap from multiple angles. Build out capability internally, or partner with a third party specializing in supply chain best practices to better align supply chain strategy to corporate strategy.
Janice Pinson
Executive Vice President, Maine Pointe Academy
Maine Pointe
Have a great answer to a good question?
Be sure to participate next month. We want to know:
What’s one supply chain/logistics myth or misconception you’d like to debunk?
We’ll publish some answers. Tell us at [email protected] or tweet us @ILMagazine #ILgoodquestion