45% of companies view their supply chain management as a strategic asset and, of that group, 70% see higher, better performance in their business. More and more organizations are quickly realizing the value of implementing robust teams to focus on the transportation and storage of their goods. Not only can a top supply chain team make an organization run more efficiently, it can also provide significant bottom-line savings.
Three major themes in the world of supply chain logistics are cost reduction, technology, and opportunity for growth–and they all go hand-in-hand. While cost reduction is a major supply chain trend so is maximizing the profitability of the supply chain which includes implementing new technology (RFID tracking systems, process automation tools, etc.) and better efficiency across the board. Other cost-saving methods include reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Many organizations are kicking these efforts off by hiring logisticians to audit their business to see where pain points and weaknesses exist and removing those barriers to save money.
The need for logisticians and other supply chain experts is growing dramatically. Over the next 5 years, global supply chain management industry is expected to grow more than 9% annually, since it’s one of the few verticals that’s seeing success in a post-recession economy. There is increasing potential to add supply chain positions at the C-Suite level, and the BLS estimates that over 125,000 jobs will be added to the logistics field between 2012 and 2022.
As such, many colleges are also expanding their supply chain logistics programs to meet the future needs of employers. According to US News, “…aspiring logisticians might want to consider additional certifications and management or leadership training as their career progresses. As logisticians gain experience, they can move into middle- and senior-management positions, especially those who find new ways to cut costs and improve efficiency.”
And the job growth possibilities don’t stop there.
Currently business leaders in the field are outsourcing about 60% of their supply chain functions (ie warehouse) but keeping core competencies in-house. That being said, supply chain is becoming part of the customer service sphere as it is able to clearly highlight where there are problems based on the flow of communications, data, and contracts, to name a few.
So what’s the job seeker profile for this field?
- Veterans and former military personnel: These job seekers possess many of the qualities that make for a successful supply chain employee: attention to detail, leadership skills, organization, and teamwork.
- Engineers: According to Wisegeek.com, logistics is defined as “…a scientific technique in which evaluation is used to control inventory, production, sales, management, and staff in order to keep a solid capital and monetary flow.” This is a perfect fit for job seekers with an engineering background as they have very strong math skills; couple that with strong leadership qualities and you’re on your way to a promising career in logistics.
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