The supply chain is getting full, but the workforce to staff it is growing lean. As trucking faces an industry-wide driver shortage, and talent across the logistics sector becomes scarce, organizations are tasked with sourcing, training and retaining the next generation of logistics and supply chain professionals.
With the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reporting that as of February 2015, some 62.8 percent of Americans employed or actively seeking work - the lowest level since 1978, supply chain executives are feeling the pinch.
This "crisis in supply chain talent management" requires organizations to explore both new and proven strategies to ensure staffing to handle increasingly complex supply chain volumes, according to "Supply Chain Talent: Our Most Important Resource," the sixth in the "Game-Changing Trends" series of supply chain management white papers from the University of Tennessee and Ryder System.
With a combination of frameworks, best practices and case studies, the paper explores solutions to help talent managers navigate the tightening market. For example, the Five-Step Talent Management Framework examines how creation of strategies to analyze, find, recruit, develop and retain talent can help organizations replenish and maintain a qualified labor pool.
The white paper also discusses best practices, like the use of mentors or internships, skills development programs, university partnerships, and diversity programs and help create a robust, long-term talent management solution.
The collection of case studies in driver, supply chain technician and warehouse personnel explores how several companies approached their evolving talent issues. The paper presents "a clear case for why supply chain talent should be your highest priority - above the current quality crisis, cost compression targets, and everything else."
"The time to hesitate is through," the authors wrote. "Your ability to ensure your supply chain talent will determine the success of your business in the coming decades."
Click below to download "Supply Chain Talent: Our Most Important Resource," part of the Game-Changers Series of University of Tennessee Supply Chain Management White Papers series.
