Imagine your supply chain team as a precision gear system where any disruption can bring the entire production line to a halt. The COVID-19 pandemic delivered unprecedented shocks to this system, but it also accelerated corporate transformations and the reshaping of supply chain culture. Recent research from Korn Ferry reveals profound changes occurring in supply chain management and new requirements for talent skills and experience in the post-pandemic era.
Cultural Transformation: Agility, Resilience and Collaboration Take Center Stage
The Korn Ferry survey shows that the pandemic has accelerated the evolution of supply chain culture. Forty-one percent of surveyed supply chain leaders identified agility as their top priority, while 34% emphasized resilience and 32% highlighted collaboration as increasingly critical. These findings reflect heightened expectations for supply chains in volatile environments.
Neil Collins, North America Industrial Market Leader at Korn Ferry, noted: "Traditional sales and operations planning is shifting from rigid monthly cycles to dynamic 'plan-adjust-replan' business processes." He emphasized that increasing data intensity and decision ambiguity are driving new expectations for supply chain executives and operating models, with senior leaders demanding more innovation and creativity from supply chain functions.
Talent Shortage: End-to-End Supply Chain Knowledge Becomes Scarce
The late 2022 survey, which included more than 230 supply chain leaders, examined critical issues in supply chain management and leadership requirements. The research combined survey data with interviews, external research, and Korn Ferry's proprietary data to produce actionable insights.
Fifty-seven percent of respondents reported difficulty finding candidates with comprehensive end-to-end supply chain knowledge, indicating that professionals with holistic perspectives and systems thinking have become the most scarce resource in the field.
Internal Talent Strategies: Breaking Down Silos to Discover Enterprise Leaders
Only 41% of respondents reported looking within their supply chain departments for future leaders. However, 62% said they search across their entire organizations for potential supply chain leaders, bringing broader enterprise knowledge into supply chain operations. This cross-functional approach enhances overall supply chain effectiveness.
Melissa Hadhazy, Korn Ferry Senior Client Partner, observed: "The pandemic placed existing supply chain challenges under intense pressure, accelerating the need for transformation." She stressed that companies now require networked, enterprise-wide models rather than isolated departmental approaches, with boards and executives needing to prioritize investments to build effective, sustainable supply chain cultures.
Strategic Recommendations for Post-Pandemic Supply Chain Talent Development
The Korn Ferry report provides several recommendations for developing supply chain talent:
- Foster agility: Encourage adaptability to new processes and provide training for navigating uncertainty
- Build resilience: Develop robust risk management systems and crisis response capabilities
- Enhance collaboration: Promote cross-functional communication and knowledge sharing
- Develop end-to-end expertise: Implement rotation programs and cross-departmental projects
- Expand talent searches: Look beyond supply chain departments for leadership potential
Addressing Supply Chain Talent Challenges
Companies should consider these strategies to overcome talent shortages:
- Reassess talent requirements and develop detailed recruitment plans
- Implement innovative hiring approaches leveraging data analytics
- Offer competitive compensation and career development opportunities
- Create learning organizations that encourage continuous development
- Partner with academic institutions to cultivate future talent
Case Study: A Global Manufacturer's Supply Chain Transformation
A multinational manufacturer with complex global operations faced severe pandemic disruptions including production stoppages and delivery delays. Partnering with Korn Ferry, the company launched a talent transformation initiative that included:
- Redefining talent requirements and critical skills
- Custom leadership development programs
- Organizational structure optimization
Within one year, the company achieved significant efficiency improvements, reduced disruptions, and built a more agile, collaborative supply chain team.
The Future: Digital Transformation in Supply Chain Talent Development
As digital technologies advance, supply chain professionals will require stronger capabilities in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and IoT applications to drive smarter supply chain operations.