Should Supply Chain Executives Hire More Millennials?

Millennials are becoming increasingly interested in careers in the supply chain arena. And despite stereotypes that plague them —being unrealistic, entitled, and unreliable, among others — many millennials are seeking out and thriving in supply chain positions.

Why the sudden interest?

According to a report from APICS, APQC, and Supply Chain Management Review, the supply chain industry offers qualities many millennials look for in employment: interesting work that involves collaboration, offers advancement opportunities, and rewards innovative thinking. They want jobs where they feel they can make a difference, and the logistics industry is ripe with opportunities. Plus, with the growing supply chain skills gap and staff shortage, plenty of jobs are ripe for the taking.

Why supply chain leaders should pursue millennials

Rather than shunning millennials as lazy and likely to job hop, supply chain leaders are finding their millennial employees to be “focused, engaged, enthused, and committed to working in supply chain management.” And, according to the APICS report, nearly two-thirds of millennials who’ve started careers in the industry have stayed and 87% find the field personally rewarding — a crucial consideration for millennials seeking employment.

Those benefits appear to go both ways. Young professionals in their 20s and 30s come from a generation that has grown up with answers at their fingertips — from finding information online via clunky desktop computers to embracing smart phones and tablets — giving many the ability to research and identify important data with relative ease, a critical skill in all aspects of supply chain management. In addition, many are excellent collaborators, can easily pick up on and apply new technological solutions, and are attracted to ethical, inclusive, diverse, and conscious companies.

This is parallel to the evolving consumer perspective. Employing more professionals who share values similar to members of a changing client base can positively impact both business operations and the bottom line.

Supply chain managers who invest in hiring, retaining, and providing ongoing training and career opportunities for millennials can contribute to infusing their workplaces with these new mindsets, fresh ideas, and keen tech experts, which help those looking to thrive advance in today’s competitive market.