The importance of efficient supply chain planning and system implementation cannot be overstated. Without these, organisations can quickly become overwhelmed by the complexity of managing inventory, production, transportation, and customer service. Once supply chain performance problems arise, it can be difficult to make necessary adjustments and keep operations running smoothly.
In order to combat these issues, many businesses have come to rely on the expertise of supply chain analysts and planners. With their help, organisations can more accurately anticipate customer demand, calculate optimum order sizes, develop streamlined processes for order fulfilment, and optimise inventory management. These experts can also help enterprises identify any gaps in their supply chain systems and create actionable plans to address them.
In this article, we’ll discuss the role of a supply chain planner and how their expertise can help an organisation increase efficiency and maximise profits.
Why a rethinking of the supply chain is needed
As globalisation continues to increase and competition intensifies, businesses are under pressure to find new ways to reduce costs by streamlining their operations. According to research carried out by Zippia, reducing supply chain costs from 9% to 4% can double profits. A well-designed and maintained supply chain not only cuts costs but also improves customer service, increases efficiency and contributes to a company’s growth.
Unfortunately, many supply chains have struggled to keep up with the pace of change in today’s market and have become inefficient. This is due to a range of factors, such as lacking the foundational capabilities required to deploy and scale digital innovation effectively. However, supply chain managers and analysts are well-equipped to help organisations navigate the complexity of the supply chain and identify areas for improvement.
How technology can help
By harnessing technology such as automation, big data, analytics, and machine learning organisations can quickly identify inefficiencies in their supply chain operations. This includes looking at ways to reduce lead times, improve accuracy, increase inventory visibility, and enhance delivery schedules.
In addition, digital solutions can help organisations better understand customer needs, enabling them to adjust their supply chain operations to ensure customer satisfaction. With access to data such as customer behaviour, businesses can make quick decisions and optimise their processes to get goods where they are most needed, and in the right quantities.
Only 6% of all companies possess complete visibility of their supply chain processes. By using digital solutions, organisations can benefit from real-time access to data at all stages of the supply chain, enabling them to quickly respond to disruptions in the supply chain and customer demand.
Key capabilities of supply chain analysts and supply chain planners
Knowledge of IoT
Put simply, the IoT (Internet of Things) is a network of physical objects such as machines, tools and products that are embedded with software, sensors, and electronics to enable them to connect and exchange data. Supply chain experts should understand how to leverage this technology to monitor the efficiencies of the supply chain system.
By collecting data from various sources, supply chain experts can gain actionable insights into their operations that will enable them to make data-driven decisions.
Knowledge of analytics
Analytics is the process of extracting meaningful insights from vast amounts of data. Supply chain experts should understand how to use analytics tools and techniques to unlock insights from data and use them to improve their operations. They should be able to analyse trends, identify patterns, and predict future outcomes.
For instance, in the retail industry, analytics can be used to track customer buying behaviour and initiate future demand planning. Data analysis can then be used to drive supply chain decisions such as inventory management and pricing.
Predictive modelling
Predictive modelling is the process of using mathematical and statistical models to predict future events. In supply chain management, predictive models can be used to identify potential risks, such as delayed shipments or supply shortages. Data points such as customer demand, supplier reliability, and market prices can all be fed into the model to help identify potential risks and take corrective action.
Hiring the right supply chain professionals
As you can see, there are many aspects to consider when optimising a supply chain. That’s why having the right experts in place is so important. From experienced logistics managers to data analysts, it is essential to have the right people in the right roles.
By working with a specialist supply chain recruitment agency, you can get access to the best professionals that have the skills and experience your business needs to stay ahead of the competition. A supply chain analyst recruiter, for example, can help you find and hire the right data analysts who can use advanced analytics tools to analyse trends and suggest ways to improve efficiency.
What to look for in a supply chain recruiter
Rather than relying on job postings and advertisements, it is best to work with a supply chain planner recruitment agency that understands the industry and can help you find the right people. Finding an agency that takes a proactive approach to finding and pre-qualifying candidates is essential. The best agencies use a variety of methods, such as industry networking, to ensure that they are bringing in the most qualified candidates.
The supply chain planner recruiter should also have experience working with and understanding the qualifications and specialisations of the overall supply chain industry. They should be able to demonstrate a track record of success in finding and placing top performers for their clients.
Finally, it is important to ensure that the supply analyst recruitment agency has the right policies in place. This includes having clear guidelines and parameters for evaluating potential candidates, as well as a well-defined recruitment process. This will help ensure that the agency is meeting its client’s expectations and producing the best possible results.
Final thoughts
Hiring expert supply chain personnel can be challenging, but finding the right recruitment agency can make the process much easier and more efficient. By considering the above factors, businesses are more likely to find someone that can help them streamline their supply chain operations, resulting in a more successful business.
Technology is advancing at a rapid rate, and supply chain professionals must be able to keep up. Therefore, it is crucial to find an agency that understands the latest trends in supply chain management and can help recruit individuals who possess the necessary skills to transform and revitalise a company’s supply chain.
At Cambridge Talent Partnership, we understand the importance of finding the right talent to drive a company’s supply chain operations forward. Our team of specialists has extensive experience in recruiting and placing quality supply chain professionals. Our recruitment process is tailored to each client, ensuring that we are able to identify top talent for their particular needs.
Our approach is to not simply fill a role, but to find the right person who can make a real impact on an organisation’s supply chain.
We cover Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Essex, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, and other areas. If you’re looking for the right candidate for your team, get in touch with us today to discuss your recruitment needs. We are confident that our supply chain recruitment expertise and unrivalled network will quickly provide the ideal candidate for you.
