The truth be told, the supply chain management profession is extremely broad and the range of jobs in the industry is vast. There is no single, clear career path—your career could take you just about anywhere.   The roles and paths suggested below are possibilities that exist within the industry, and might at least give you an idea of where your career-journey might lead—or even where it might start.   Because there is such a wide spectrum of logistics and supply chain jobs available, it is best to categorise them in the following way: planning, manufacture, sourcing, and delivery ..read more

I have no crystal ball, of course, but instead I will tap into my consulting experience, add a dash of research, and fire it all up with some imagination to try get a picture of how the supply chain environment may look in eight years’ time.         Welcome to the Robotic Future         The robotic revolution is upon us! Think of how automation is already changing the face of warehousing (robotic solutions) and transport (autonomous conveyances on the roads, rail, and even in the air).         By 2028, robots could be running wareh ..read more

You’ve seen them, right? Those dream warehouses where products arrive by truck, are efficiently offloaded and stacked on shelves by forklift operators, and later smoothly picked and reloaded for delivery to customers. Such efficiency doesn’t simply happen by accident. Careful design is imperative if you want to prevent warehouse bottlenecks. Here are some essentials you need to consider when it comes to your warehouse layout: 1) Flow Design your warehouse floor in such a way as to maximise the smooth flow of goods, people, and ..read more

Distribution network design is now receiving the attention it deserves from supply chain leaders, and with good reason. In fact, here are 10 good reasons. 10 Reasons to Review Your Distribution Network Design Overhauling a distribution network is a major undertaking and companies generally prefer to maintain the status quo if they can get away with it. But if the warning signs are there, you will be playing into the hands of your competitors if you fail to review your network design. Signs That Your Distribution Network Design Needs a Review 1) Your Distribution Net ..read more

I have hinted previously on this site that I plan to do something different in 2020, something big. Something that will combine my two passions—education and travelling. I can now reveal details of my exciting new project: I will be taking my Supply Chain Secrets enterprise on a worldwide tour! Hitting the Road With My Supply Chain Secrets Venture Those of you who know me, or who have read my blogs, will be well aware that I become animated when I speak or write about travelling and education. In September, I told members of the Supply Chain Leaders Academ ..read more

The Supply Chain Leaders Academy, which for the past seven years has provided supply chain managers with a jam-packed programme designed to boost their practical knowledge of the industry, will come to an end in November. “It’s time to start something new,” says Academy founder Rob O’Byrne. End of a Jam-Packed Era for Supply Chain Leaders Academy  The November session of the popular Supply Chain Leaders Academy will be the final one. Rob O’Byrne told members of the Academy that the decision to end the programme had not been easy, as he had grown to “love” the ..read more