Much like the retail boom that happened in the 2000s, the continued rise of online shopping is driving a similar time of intense growth for the supply chain industry. Due to this, more sophisticated global supply chains are ushering in new technology roles for retail and eCommerce merchants to keep up with consumer’s growing expectations. There is a new push to implement technology that will drive improvements in demand forecasting, inventory planning and process optimization. With increased innovation in technology to help solve these challenges, supply chain leaders need to prepare a new line of talent to keep the industry innovating and ready for the change that is on the horizon.  

In working directly with undergrad students on real-world problems — most recently with the Denning Technology & Management Program at Georgia Tech — I have found that the supply chain industry checks a lot of the boxes for what new graduates. This is particularly because the next batch of grads are a part of GenZ, and many facets of supply chain industry jobs including competitive pay, upward mobility and a commitment to sustainability are what they’re looking for in their entry level experiences.  

How can we ensure the path to a successful supply chain/tech-first future is embedded in the hiring and recruiting process? Having the following three areas at the forefront will set up a supply chain organization to be successful in the long term. 

Think of the Problem First, Not the Solution That Will Solve the Problem  

With the breadth of technology available, from blockchain and big data, to robots and automation, there are many ways to solve problems with technology. These can be overwhelming for young talent.  Many times, they look right to the technology they want to use before identifying the problem, which is not a successful process for resolving the big, complex challenges of the supply chain. Specifically, professionals have the opportunity to tackle complex global supply chain, and the chance to tackle bigger issues that impact consumers and businesses alike, such as meeting sustainability goals through new technology. As strategic thinkers in the agile software development industry, we must coach young professionals to think of the problem that they want to solve first, before looking for a solution (or technology) that will help them solve it. This is how all organizations should be looking at problems, and they should be instilling this attitude in young professionals from the get-go. That is how we can train them to be critical thinkers and innovative problem solvers, as they continue to grow in their careers.  

Don’t Make Perfection the Enemy of the Good 

As these new graduates enter their first jobs in the professional workforce, many are not prepared to fail or stray from perfectionism. They are used to getting great grades, and being able to determine their own success through studying and working hard. As seasoned professionals, we need to teach them that it is okay to fail, and in order to succeed you need to break problems down into smaller pieces. The supply chain is one massive, interconnected system, and as a result, you cannot just solve one large problem with one solution. Instead, you have to look at the individual pieces of the supply chain and slowly start solving each individual problem in order to tackle the bigger challenge that is presented. Having a problem-solving approach and being able to have little wins along the way is key for these GenZ employees to succeed in the supply chain.  

Ambiguity is the Way to Kill Progress  

When working with technology in a fast-paced  and complex industry like the supply chain, you are tackling things that have never been dealt with before. Details are more important than ever, especially when planning and defining projects that are entirely new. If the project or idea is too ambiguous or not well defined, supply chain managers risk elongating project timelines, and can move the team backwards. We need to show new employees that being as detailed and clear as possible will only move you further toward having a successful career. Having a clear, defined mission and purpose at the start of the project will ensure that everyone is in lock-step.  

The supply chain continues to prove to be a satisfying and rewarding industry, with 65% of current professionals ranking their careers 8 out of 10 or higher. Specifically, research found that individuals with less than a year of experience in the supply chain have received $5,000 pay increases over the last year. Supply chain and technology professionals should look to the new graduates and the GenZ talent pool to add to their teams because it is a win-win for both of them. These young professionals are looking for the opportunity to tackle big challenges and make a big difference right away, which is something that the supply chain can offer. A desire to succeed, added to analytical skills and a passion for technology are three characteristics that will serve them well entering the workforce.  

Brian Gallagher is CPO/CTO at Ware2Go.