Despite gradual improvement since the summer of 2009 - the official end of the Great Recession - the U.S. unemployment rate remains unacceptably high. But don't tell that to companies in search of supply-chain talent.

The Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA), Canada's largest association for supply chain professionals, has officially launched. Representing nearly 8000 members working in all facets of the supply chain, SCMA is the country's principle source for education, training, professional development and networking in the field.

Increasing optimism in the U.S. economy has translated into a heightened confidence in regards to the still-shaky job market, a recent survey suggests. One in four Americans believe now is a "good time" to find a quality job in the U.S., officials at Gallup say, citing a poll based on telephone interviews conducted early last month with a random sampling of over 2,000 adults.

Ann Drake, CEO of DSC Logistics and one of the few female chief executives in the logistics industry, discusses the supply chain as a career path for women and the goals of AWESOME (Achieving Womens' Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education), a new organization that she founded.