A recent CEO survey by Gartner1 cited “lack of appropriate talent and capability” as the top most inhibitor to a company’s digital progress. Supply chain organizations are no exception. The gap between the skills needed to compete in an increasingly digital world and those available in the organization is widening. Rise in robotics, algorithmic intelligence, and cloud computing is making an entire generation of supply chain professionals increasingly obsolete. These technologies are hollowing out the middle of the jobs’ spectrum, pushing the humans to the edges requiring extreme physical or cognitive dexterity.
At the physical end of the jobs’ spectrum, as direct-to-consumer shipments increase, a robot still cannot efficiently pick an object from a bin without damaging other objects. Thanks to a strong economy, this is increasing the need for more humans to fill such roles creating a shortage. Then there are jobs that require operation of the machinery and robotics, calling for a blend of physical and cognitive abilities and there is a serious shortage here as well. Retention is also a challenge accentuated by historically low unemployment.
