According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), supply chain jobs are expected to grow 22 percent by the year 2022. Additionally, the BLS projects this increase to be double the rate of all other professions combined. One of the major reasons for this growth is because there is a strong need in modern business to acquire, allocate, distribute, and deliver products more efficiently in order to meet increasing customer expectations. Secondly, organizations are realizing that growing and maintaining net margins is becoming increasingly difficult through sales alone. The combination of these factors has placed supply chain operations on a much higher pedestal in today’s business environment. While there is no question that the next decade will place talented supply chain professionals in high demand, organizational leaders need to quickly start asking themselves one simple question, “Where do we find a supply of good talent?”
Most organizations will turn to colleges and universities when they are in need of young talent with a specialized skillset. When finance, marketing, or information technology departments are looking to hire for new positions, it generally makes sense for them to hire people who have finance, marketing, or information technology degrees. Why should it be any different when hiring for your supply chain?