Organisations need to develop new roles, including “supply chefs” and “disruption directors”, if they are to continue to stay ahead, says a new report.
Is your organisation ready for disruption directors, supply chefs, inefficiency architects or even circularity Olympians?
These could well be the supply chain roles of the future, according to a new report by tech consultancy, Capgemini.
The report, Point of View, claims organisations will need to adapt their supply chains around resilience, tech and sustainability and ensure workers are ready for these changes. As such, it said traditional supply chain roles will need to evolve to meet these demands.
Capgemini’s global head of intelligent supply chain operations practice, Dharmendra Patwardhan, said: “Traditional roles and skills are “not enough” in the “ever-evolving landscape of supply chain management."
He added: “While talent remains a mainstay for innovation, ultimately, we are only as good as the people we have. In order to understand the future of supply chains, we need to simultaneously identify which skills and positions will be critical in the future.”
These are the supply chain roles of the future, according to Capgemini:
1. Supply Chef
Supply Chefs will be responsible for maintaining a portfolio of alternative and sustainable suppliers. They will oversee supplier qualification and certification, and ensure suppliers meet the standards and requirements to keep operations running efficiently.
The report said: “In a world where change is the only constant, the role of Supply Chef has never been more critical. With fewer suppliers holding more power than ever before and the need for sustainability at an all-time high, this role is pivotal in ensuring the supply chain remains stable and sustainable.”
2. Disruption Director
Disruption Directors will be responsible for mitigating disruptions and executing a comprehensive supply chain crisis management plan.
The role will require someone who can react quickly and effectively to unforeseen challenges. They will need to be strong problem solvers and must have a comprehensive knowledge of the supply chain ecosystem.
3. Inefficiency Architect
Inefficiency Architects will work alongside the Disruption Director to guarantee the delivery of critical service levels during a crisis. They will be responsible for creating efficient and resilient supply chains to meet the evolving needs of the business. They will need to analyse key performance metrics to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks, streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency.
The report said: “As the world becomes more unpredictable, reducing risk and enhancing the resilience of essential supply chain functions is critical to ensure continued success.”
4. The Bionic Human
Bionic Humans will warehouse workers wearing mechanical “exoskeletons” to help improve their strength. Not only will they make picking and packing easier, they will relegate gender roles in logistics to be a thing of the past.
The report said: “The Bionic Human offers a unique opportunity to revolutionise the supply chain industry and redefine what it means to be a productive member of the workforce.”
5. Waste Wealth Manager
Waste Wealth Managers will be responsible for identifying opportunities to reduce waste and increase circularity within the supply chain. They will be able to analyse the entire supply chain to determine where and how waste is being produced, and work with cross-functional teams to develop solutions that minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.
The report said: “Waste Wealth Managers will need to collaborate with product design teams to create more sustainable products and work with logistics to develop sustainable freight options.”
6. Chief of Packaging Possibilities
Chief of Packing Possibilities will oversee packaging and the sustainable delivery of products, as well as promoting circularity in the supply chain. This would involve designing packaging that can be easily cleaned, reused, recycled, and which is biodegradable.
The report said: “To suit this role, candidates must be able to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, they would need to be knowledgeable about the latest packaging trends and tech.”
7. Circularity Olympian
Circularity Olympians will focus on developing circular supply chains. They wll collaborate with other sustainability roles to implement recycling programmes and reduce waste.
Article from CIPS.
