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Emerging supply chain jobs for the future

Emerging supply chain jobs for the future

Supply chains around the globe are recovering after the major disruptions that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused. With this recovery comes evolution and new processes that aim to improve and fix issues within global supply chains. Because of this, businesses in the supply chain will need professionals with new skills to fill out new roles and create new organisational structures. Supply chain professionals will be exposed to new opportunities and new professional ventures. Here are the emerging supply chain jobs for the future:

1. Data-driven planner

Currently, the supply chain has supply planners who are very important members of the supply chain team. Supply planners function to plan, prioritise, communicate and manage relationships within the supply chain. These professionals understand integrated supply chains and also need to have knowledge of different niches.

But, as the supply chains recover and evolve, this position has the opportunity to evolve with it. These professionals could become data-driven planners by incorporating technology into their job duties. Large amounts of data pass through supply chains from sales platforms, quality control inspections, factory management systems, and customer emails. Data-driven planners must collect and organise this data to build more connected systems within supply chains.

2. Traceability analyst

Many issues within the supply chain stem from members not having full visibility. For years, businesses would only know their suppliers and whom they buy from. Because of this, visibility along the supply chain has been stunted and has led to disruptions within the supply chain. The pandemic has also worsened this. Because of a lack of visibility, members of the supply chain would not be prepared for issues because they would not know of potential shortages with their supplier’s supplier or any unethical practices taking place with other members of the supply chain.

A remedy to this would be to employ a traceability analyst. This professional would trace the processes from raw material until the point where the customer receives the final product. Traceability analysts would need a wide range of skills and knowledge that most, if not all, supply chain members have. They would need to collect data and ensure that the processes along the supply chain are sustainable and moving swiftly.

3. Supply chain communicator

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unexpected major event that caused unexpected major disruptions. Because of this, supply chain managers, executives, and investors will be more cautious in the future and want comprehensive views of the supply chain in case of another major disruption. This provides an opportunity for supply chain professionals. A supply chain communicator would need to collect data along the supply chain and regard issues to create a clear report for supply chain managers. Examples of data they would need to collect to create this report are the flow of materials, marketing, sales, and sustainability.

4. Supply chain innovator

Many companies have relied on ultra-lean supply chains, but this will soon change. Supply chain managers always aim to create tighter supply networks as this will decrease supplier risk. An example of how this is being done is by establishing regional hubs. These hubs will allow businesses to manufacture and sell their goods within markets. This is advantageous as the businesses will not have to rely on cross-border shipping. Other businesses now use backup suppliers around the globe.

Because of this, supply chain professionals will be exposed to new job opportunities, like supply chain innovators. The supply chain would need creative professionals to lead reconfigurations without increasing business costs. Supply chain innovators need to use different technologies, supply chain leaders, and businesses to improve the supply chain.

Supply chain innovator

The Takeaway

The supply chain industry is fast evolving, and supply chain professionals must be prepared for the developments. If you are a supply chain professional or someone interested in becoming a supply chain professional, you should consider studying at the IMM Graduate School to further your knowledge or to start developing it.