Supply chain teams are playing more pivotal roles in informed decision-making and that calls for a breadth of expertise as opposed to deep skill sets. Transformed customer expectations have led to evolved supply chain processes and it’s time for organizations to identify the roles, skills, and behaviours that drive results.
Young workers today face a landscape that’s unlike any generations before them have faced. We face an uncertain international economic climate, which has shifted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these shifts have only hastened trends that previously existed, paving the way for new opportunities in many fields, especially supply chain management.
Supply chains have always been taken for granted. As our economy has grown, so has our choice and our expectation for what we want to be at our fingertips. But the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed our understanding of that — though it was simply exposing problems that had been growing for years before.
Supply chains have always been taken for granted. As our economy has grown, so has our choice and our expectation for what we want to be at our fingertips.
Among a plethora of challenges that couldn’t be foreseen, companies have had to realize and contend with out-of-date inventory systems, empty shelves, and expensive bottlenecks. The pandemic made these issues impossible to ignore — and the required solutions more urgent. Jobseekers with technology and problem-solving skills who are adaptable and resilient will be well-positioned to jump into the workforce and begin tackling real challenges that have enormous impact on the daily lives of Canadians.
At the top of the list for in-demand candidates are tech-savvy planners who can troubleshoot, mitigate risk, prioritize, analyze, and solve supply-demand issues. Those skilled in AI and machine learning can help companies adapt to our new world, testing cutting-edge technologies to improve supply chain efficiencies.
Customer satisfaction departments are also evolving to offer more tech-based roles in data analytics and automation in fulfillment centres to tailor a customer’s experience.
If you’re passionate about sustainability, many companies are dedicating new positions, from entry-level to leadership roles, to focus on optimizing resource consumption and utilization.
The growing demand and increased opportunities for next-generation supply chain management workers in Canada are endless, and there are many ways to enter the field. Colleges and universities are offering supply chain management courses, and access to these courses is easier than ever with several institutions offering online programming. If you’re already in a supply chain management role and looking for ways to advance, there are professional designations available, including Supply Chain Canada’s Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation.
Disruptive technology and the rise of real-time service and product delivery show no signs of slowing down, and neither do career opportunities in supply chain management.
