Supply Chain Leader

To answer this question, in the first posting of this blog last week, I tried to define what a Supply Chain Leader is not. In this second post, let’s turn to what a supply chain leader is.

 First of all, and perhaps most obviously, a supply chain leader should have the necessary knowledge and know-how of supply chain and should master best practices and best-in-class systems needed to fulfill his or her duties. These skills are the technical and functional supply chain skills; technical expertise is the foundation upon which a supply chain leader can rely in order to assert their credibility as a leader, and from which they can start influencing people and implementing a higher-order vision.

Then come the 5 main skills that will make turn a supply chain manager into a supply chain leader. To do so, a supply chain leader needs to be or learn to be a(n):

Transformational leader, to motivate and inspire troops … by defining an appealing vision, communicating it in a way that is motivational and that raises enthusiasm, by stimulating people and inspiring them to fulfill this vision and reach higher levels, and by uniting them around a common goal…

Improvement leader, to ensure greater efficiency … by proactively looking for improvement opportunities, assessing return on investment and risks, ranking and planning initiatives and managing the projects and the changes needed to make these initiatives sustainable…

Customer-centric leader, to provide higher value ….by understanding the current and future needs of the customers and planning the operations accordingly, and by being the voice of the customers— remember, customer service and supply chain are the first and last contacts with the customers…

Collaboration leader, to establish trusting relationships… by putting in place and managing collaboration inside the company to unite all stakeholders around a unique sales and operations plan and by establishing collaboration outside the company with the trading partners to reduce bullwhip effect…

Corporate sustainability leader, to incorporate social and environmental objectives within the company …by putting in place green supply chain techniques, work safety practices,  respect for the  employees’ and the  suppliers’ rights, and consideration of all stakeholders in the decision-making process…

Thank you for your comments!

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