The importance of supply chain management in boardrooms has accelerated in recent years with no end in sight. This in turn is fueling rapid growth among companies like Penske Logistics. In fact, the third-party logistics industry continues to grow at a much faster rate than the overall economy.
<p><strong>Careers</strong></p><p>In the <a href="http://www.3plstudy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">2016 Third-Party Logistics Study: the State of Logistics Outsourcing</a>, recruiting firm Korn Ferry forecasts that the demand for supply chain jobs will continue to increase.</p><p>All of this has relevance to careers and opportunities for enterprising young people looking to be in a hot field that offers quick career growth. Colleges have picked up on this trend in recent years, and have started adding degree programs in logistics and supply chain management.</p><p>And yes, firms like Penske directly recruit from these programs. But what if you didn’t major in supply chain management? What if you majored in one of the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)?</p><p>Now is a great time for STEM graduates to <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/careers/" rel="noopener noreferrer">seek out a career in supply chain management.</a> So let’s consider how skills obtained in a STEM program might apply nicely to a supply chain career.</p><p><strong>Problem Solving</strong></p><p>In logistics our challenge is to find the best way to accomplish a given task. For example, how can I deliver fresh sandwiches on a daily basis to every store in a convenience store chain, using the fewest trucks and drivers?</p><p>Or maybe a consumer goods manufacturer wants to know how many warehouses they would need to serve every zip code in the United States, within 24 hours of an order being placed? And along the way, they’ll want to know how much space they would need in those warehouses, to support a given volume of business.</p><p><strong>Data Science</strong></p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="925fe9e7a8200584692d1238216c06f1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1f764" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyODI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTU5ODYxNzQyM30.6xfNYsw-fKQfbl2wCOmmTZlBQlWhPGoxRpVOviv0yek/img.jpg?width=980"/></p><p>Today our customers want a<a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/technology/clearchain-technology-suite/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> lot more information than just a recap report</a>. Of course they want to understand what’s happening in their supply chain day-to-day. The best corporations want 3PL partners who leverage data, to predict what might happen tomorrow and beyond. They’re looking for an edge, and within all the data lies opportunity.</p><p><strong>Automation</strong></p><p>The future of the supply chain field includes more automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet of Things. Yes, logistics processes have improved dramatically in recent decades, but they are far from defect-free so we have to leverage the power of automation to continue industry advancement.</p><p>In closing, let’s review the top four reasons that STEM graduates would be well served to consider a career in logistics and supply chain management.</p><ol class="ee-ol"> <li>Supply chain management is relevant to virtually every industry vertical, so the pool of prospective employers is significant</li> <li>The need for physical goods and services, and the necessity to optimize these flows, won’t ever go away</li> <li>Supply chain management combines tactical execution and strategic thinking, an amazing training ground for anyone building a career</li> <li>Corporate boards are well aware of how important these factors are, so a path to senior management awaits talented young supply chain professionals</li></ol><p><em>This blog post was written by</em><em> </em><em>Andy Moses, senior vice president of global products for</em><em> </em><em><a href="http://www.penskelogistics.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penske Logistics</a>.</em></p></div>
[Read more...]
Show less
Rick Blasgen, president and CEO of CSCMP, at the presentation of this year's State of Logistics Report.
<p>If you’re a young professional starting out on the <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/solutions/supply-chain-management/">supply chain management</a> career path, I want to share with you the excitement and opportunities that await you in the world of supply chain.</p><p>What other career offers you the opportunity to travel the world, work with the latest technology, collaborate with partners across the entire spectrum of business—marketing, analytics, finance, and design?</p><p>It’s a fast-paced, challenging, and constantly evolving profession, not to mention financially rewarding. Advancement opportunities are plentiful. Supply chain management is a meaningful career as well. We make significant contributions not only to our companies, but to our communities, the environment, and to society as a whole.</p><p>Now that you’ve chosen your career path, it’s time to take steps to ensure that you stay on the leading edge of the profession. It’s critical to keep up with your supply chain education and new knowledge, as well as make those all-important professional connections.</p><p>The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) offers a wide variety of programs exclusively for you—the young professional—to get you started off right on your supply chain journey. For more than 50 years, CSCMP has been the leading worldwide professional association dedicated to advancing the careers of supply chain professionals like you. Our members are the leading practitioners and authorities in the field, representing business, government, and academia from more than 65 countries.</p><p>At CSCMP, we’re focused on the lifecycle of a professional’s career. We offer supply chain education, connections and professional development that will enhance your career, from student to senior fellow. We provide a myriad of opportunities for you to hone your leadership skills through our committees, roundtables, and conferences. We’re committed to partnering with you throughout your entire career.</p><p>In a recent survey of our young professional members, we asked them what CSCMP products and services they used to advance their career development. Nearly half of them reported using many of their benefits for advancement, such as our publications, roundtable events, annual conferences, industry research, and career center.</p><p>Others used our case studies, online member directory and SCPro certification, and took advantage of our social media and volunteer opportunities. We’ve also just launched our Young Professionals’ Mentorship Program in which we’ll pair you with a more senior-level member to help develop you into tomorrow’s supply chain leader.</p><p>Congratulations on choosing a career in supply chain management. Your profession is vital to every company in the world, and to the global economy. As a career choice…it’s your chance to make a difference, make some money, and embark upon the adventure of a lifetime. I encourage you to partner with CSCMP throughout your professional journey and experience the dynamic difference this will make in your career.<em> </em></p><p><em>By Rick Blasgen</em></p><p><em>Blasgen is president and chief executive officer of <a href="http://www.cscmp.org/">CSCMP</a>. </em></p><p><em>Editor's Note: Penske Logistics is a proud supporter of CSCMP and presents the Young Professionals Survey and State of Logistics Report. The company is also a major sponsor of the CSCMP Annual Global Conference and is a corporate member. Mr. Blasgen’s views are his own.</em></p></div>
[Read more...]
Show less