The UK is starting to experience a shortage in skilled supply chain professionals, says Hugh Williams, managing director of supply chain planning specialists Hughenden.
“Cross-industry businesses, including retailers, manufacturers, recruitment agencies and consultancies, seem to agree that the demand for production planners, demand planners and supply chain managers is increasing faster than the supply.”
The shortage is particularly noticeable among roles such as demand planners and supply chain managers/directors, he says. “These only appeared a few years ago but are now seen as key functions to help make supply chains more responsive. “Many companies have now recognised that forecasting is a vital input into the business planning processes such as sales and operations planning.
“With so many businesses implementing some sort of sales and operations planning process, the supply chain professionals need to be knowledgeable in the links between their role and the other planning processes”, says Williams.
