Workforce

CEO Update In 2016, the MHI Annual Industry Report introduced the term “always‑on” supply chain defined as “an integrated set of supply networks characterized by a continuous, high‑velocity flow of information and analytics, creating predictive, actionable decisions that better serve the customer.” Nearly a decade later, the promise of autonomous, always‑on supply chains is quickly becoming a reality as firms ...

Feature BY CHRISTY DULA, CHIEF EXPERIENCE & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, MHI More than 19 million Americans—8% of all adults in the U.S.—bear a felony conviction on their permanent record. That includes nearly two million people currently incarcerated. With roughly 75% leaving state prisons convicted of a nonviolent crime (drug trafficking is the most common offense), employers who haven’t yet explored ...

WERC Matters   Which credentials are the right ones for your unique role in supply chain? WERC Advisory Council President Will Sparks has the answers. BY MICHAEL MIKITKA, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF MHI’S KNOWLEDGE VALUE CENTER AND WERC Have you ever seen a LinkedIn profile with a downright comical number of acronyms following the person’s name? Something like “John Doe, ...

The digital transformation of supply chains promises to supercharge performance, improve efficiency and resilience, slash operating costs, increase customer satisfaction and boost sustainability efforts. However, a persistent shortage of workers with the right skillsets has become a major roadblock to realizing these much‑ballyhooed benefits. It’s time, experts say, to focus on the people side of the human‑tech equation.   BY ...

BY MARY LOU JAY   ISTOCK.COM/2D ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTO The ongoing shortage of talent remains a top concern of supply chain companies throughout the world. In fact, the newly released 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report found that 52% of leaders surveyed described hiring and retaining talent as extremely or somewhat challenging. One way to prime the talent pipeline is by ...

Here are five strategies to help employees of different generations, races, ethnicities, genders and more work together successfully. BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER ISTOCK.COM/MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES No matter how you slice it, the supply chain workforce of the future will be vastly more diverse than ever before. Although supply chains have traditionally been white male‑dominated, the status quo is quickly changing due to ...

CEO Update Technology and talent are the fuel of any successful supply chain operation. However, in terms of priority, the human element trumps technology. The talent gap has become one of the biggest barriers to technology adoption. According to the newly released 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report, 83% of the manufacturing and supply chain professionals surveyed said that the ongoing ...

Executive Viewpoint BY CRYSTAL PARROTT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, MUJIN US In today’s high‑growth, rapidly evolving job market, it is crucial to quickly place the right individuals in the appropriate roles. Equally important is the retention of these individuals through effective onboarding, consistent communication and appropriate leadership training. While the pace of hiring may be fast, it is essential to take ...

What tools are available to make supply chain hiring run more efficiently?   BY SANDY SMITH   Robots in the warehouse. Artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive analytics. There is no doubt that the supply chain industry is embracing today’s technology. But just how ready is the industry to use AI‑enabled tools in another area—that which deals with all aspects of ...

Digital scheduling tools give companies greater access to available workers.   BY NICK FORTUNA ISTOCK.COM/A STOCKPHOTO Amid low unemployment and stubbornly high turnover, many material‑handling companies have grudgingly concluded that there just isn’t enough talented labor available. Across industries, employers have stepped up recruiting efforts and increased wages but still lack sufficient manpower for their growing operations. It’s easy to ...