How to hire a supply chain specialist

In an age when customers expect products to take less than a day to deliver, the streamlined management of supply chains is one of the most crucial elements of a successful business. Supply chain specialists are the experts who ensure a smooth relay of a product from the business to the end consumer. 

The recent pandemic and the supply chain disruption it caused took a toll on many businesses. This highlighted the importance of a resilient global supply chain that can deliver on promises to customers even during times of uncertainty and disruption.

Therefore, having a dependable specialist who has the right supply chain knowledge and expertise is a necessity for many businesses. 

Supply chains are part of a complex and dynamic demand-and-supply network between companies in different regions or countries. According to Fortune Business Insights, the supply chain management market was worth $21.26 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $47.29 billion by 2029. [1]

In this article, we’ll explore the role of a supply chain specialist and how they can be central to business growth. We’ll also explain which skills to look for, how to assess them, and the easiest way to hire a qualified supply chain specialist.

What is a supply chain specialist?

Supply chain specialists optimize the end-to-end processes involved in moving goods and services. They oversee all functions related to orders, shipments, billing, and customer service, and deeply understand inventory management, procurement, logistics, and distribution.

A supply chain specialist will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to streamline processes and enhance supply chain efficiency.

Their responsibilities can range from maintaining adequate inventory, handling procurement, scheduling shipments, negotiating prices, and ensuring delivery by supervising the process. 

Supply chain specialists keep a close watch on inventory movement and customer demands. They can forecast changes in future needs, seasonally or due to changing customer preferences, and respond adequately to the situation.

Maintaining supply chain resiliency is one of the top priorities of supply chain specialists.

Hard skills for a supply chain specialist

There are a host of skills that every supply chain specialist should have. Some of the hard skills you should look for in candidates include:

Supply chain management

Supply chain specialists should deeply understand supply chain principles and methodologies. They must be able to design and implement effective supply chain strategies that align with organizational goals. This includes overseeing supplier relationships, streamlining production and procurement, and teaming up with transport coordinators to ensure efficient delivery of goods.

Comprehensive knowledge of supply chain processes and best practices enables specialists to identify areas for improvement, streamline operations, and enhance overall efficiency.

You can assess a candidate’s supply chain management proficiency with the help of TestGorilla’s specially curated test.

Inventory management

One of the most critical aspects of supply chain optimization is business operations and inventory management. 

Supply chain specialists should be proficient in monitoring and controlling inventory levels effectively. They should be able to analyze demand patterns, develop accurate forecasts, and determine appropriate inventory replenishment strategies.

They’re responsible for balancing customer satisfaction and cost-effectiveness by implementing inventory optimization techniques like lead time analyses, safety stock calculations, and ABC classification.

Logistics

Managing stock inside the warehouse is not enough. A supply chain specialist is also responsible for overseeing the physical flow of goods through the supply chain. They must compare different transportation modes, including road, rail, air, and sea, and determine the best option based on cost, speed, and reliability.

Knowledge of warehouse operations, customs regulations, and trade compliances is necessary when dealing with international logistics. Supply chain specialists can ensure timely delivery with minimal costs by managing logistics effectively and optimizing the overall supply chain performance.

Data analysis

Supply chains and warehouses generate a significant amount of data. This data contains information about supply chain performance, inventory levels, and more. 

A supply chain specialist should have data analysis skills to make informed decisions based on factual insights. They should be familiar with data analysis tools and techniques, such as conducting statistical analyses, creating data visualizations, and developing forecasting models.

By extracting and analyzing past and real-time data, supply chain specialists can identify trends, anticipate demand fluctuations, and make data-driven decisions to improve operational efficiency.

Purchasing and supplier management

Purchasing and supplier management is a must-have skill for a supply chain specialist, as they’re responsible for identifying reliable suppliers, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier relationships effectively. 

Evaluating suppliers based on different factors (for example, supplier risk assessment, contract management, and supplier performance measurement) allows supply chain specialists to establish strategic partnerships and ensures both supply continuity and cost savings.

Soft skills of a supply chain specialist

Supply chain specialists interact with employees, managers, and external stakeholders consistently. To perform well, they need several soft skills that we’ll discuss below: 

Communication

Effective communication is a crucial skill for supply chain specialists as they must interact with various stakeholders, both internal and external. 

For any communications related to supply chains — such as discussing requirements with suppliers, collaborating with cross-functional teams, or providing updates to management — supply chain specialists must convey the information clearly and concisely.

Assess your candidates’ communication skills to ensure they’ll be able to build relationships, resolve conflicts, and maintain a smooth information flow throughout the supply chain.

Customer service

Supply chain specialists should have a customer-centric mindset. They must understand customer needs, demands, and preferences to align the supply chain accordingly. 

Customers are affected by anything happening inside the supply chain, be it optimizing inventory levels, improving delivery times, or accurately forecasting demand. These improvements help enhance the overall customer experience.

Shortlist candidates who are responsive to customer inquires and able to proactively address any issues by using a Customer service skills test.

Leadership

An efficient supply chain forms when different cross-functional teams work together to complete their respective processes. A supply chain specialist leads the supply chain and is responsible for developing coordination between other groups, leading process improvement initiatives, managing complex projects, and resolving issues.

A leader must know when to delegate responsibilities and initiate training programs, as well as how to address employee concerns and drive positive change within the chain. You can assess the leadership qualities of your candidates with TestGorilla.

Time management

Time management is a necessary skill to have for a supply chain specialist. They handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, and ensuring they all run on time is crucial for the supply chain’s efficiency. Supply chain specialists should be experts in prioritizing tasks and managing time in such a way that meets deadlines.

Proficiency in allocating resources, balancing competing customer demands, and managing employee time efficiently is vital for a specialist to execute smooth supply chain operations.

Adaptability

Supply chain operations are dynamic and subject to frequent changes. Supply chain specialists must be adaptable and flexible in responding to evolving circumstances. They should be able to adjust plans, reallocate resources, and implement contingency measures when faced with unexpected disruptions or shifting business priorities.

Adaptability enables them to navigate through changing market conditions, emerging technologies, and new regulations, ensuring the continued efficiency of supply chain operations.

How to test supply chain specialist skills

Armed with the knowledge of which skills to look for in candidates, you might feel inspired to streamline your supply chain specialist hiring process and hire your ideal candidate from the get-go. 

An easy way to do this is by using skills-based assessments to weed out those lacking the necessary skills and shortlist your most qualified candidates.

With TestGorilla, you can combine up to five skills tests in a single assessment and eliminate the candidates who don’t perform well. Below are the top five tests we recommend for supply chain specialist recruitment:

1. Supply chain fundamentals. Evaluate a candidate’s knowledge of supply chain management so you can hire a professional who successfully works on different verticals.

2. Inventory management. Test the specialist’s ability to maintain inventory levels, forecast demands, and optimize operations.

3. Communications skills test. Shortlist specialists who can interact and collaborate with different teams and maintain effective communication.

4. Data analysis. Every supply chain specialist must have basic data analysis capability. Test those skills with our data analysis test.

5. Time management. Ensure that your supply chain operates efficiently and on time.

If you’d like to evaluate other skills, you can simply browse our test library to find the tests that best match your needs. 

Using skills tests to hire your next supply chain specialist has a number of advantages, allowing you to: 

• Evaluate applicants’ skills objectively. Using a data-driven approach to hiring means that you can concentrate on your candidates’ skills rather than on their resumes. 

• Eliminate bias from the hiring process. Regardless of how self-aware you or your hiring experts are, unconscious bias is notoriously difficult to avoid. Using skills assessments and structured interviews is one of the best ways to eliminate bias when hiring your next supply chain expert. 

• Build a fair hiring process. With skills tests, you give all applicants a level playing field and a fair opportunity to show their skills — they simply need a stable internet connection. Skills testing can also help you improve the candidate experience, because it shows that your company values applicants’ skills above anything else.

• Hire global talent. You can ask any applicant from anywhere in the world to take a skills assessment or even use asynchronous video interviews to select the best ones. This way, time zone differences or the lack of familiarity with candidates’ specific backgrounds and education won’t need to play a role in the process. 

Where to find supply chain specialists

There are several avenues through which you can find a supply chain specialist. Some of the typical channels to consider include:

Internal talent development

One of the most promising places to look for a supply chain specialist is within your organization. Consider offering talent development programs to employees who have shown interest in supply chain management and possess leadership abilities. 

Nurture talent and encourage employees to pursue certifications (for example, from the Association for Supply Chain Management) to enhance their knowledge and skills. This is a win-win approach for you and for your employees: You get to build your talent internally and they can grow in their careers. 

University and college recruitment

Establish relationships with universities that offer supply chain management programs. Universities are great places to find talented graduates with the right supply chain management knowledge. 

Participate in career fairs and campus recruiting events, hire student interns still pursuing their degrees, and interact directly with students to set up a talent pipeline for potential new hires.

Go online

Use popular job boards and career websites to post job listings and attract potential candidates. Industry-specific associations and forums focused on supply chain management can provide access to a pool of qualified professionals. 

These associations often have job boards, resume databases, and networking opportunities specific to the supply chain field. Leverage your professional network and industry connections to find suitable candidates.

Referrals

Tap into your professional network and encourage current employees to refer potential candidates. 

Employee referrals often yield high-quality candidates already familiar with the company’s culture and values, which helps you streamline the recruitment process. Instead of navigating through countless resumes, you can shorten the pile using a trusted source.

Supply chain specialist job description template

Below is a template you can use when you’re ready to post your job listing:

Position: Supply Chain Specialist

Job Description:

As a Supply Chain Specialist at [Your company name], you will be pivotal in managing and optimizing our end-to-end supply chain processes. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure a seamless flow of goods and services, maximize efficiency, and minimize costs. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting demand forecasting and planning activities to ensure accurate inventory levels and timely procurement.

• Monitoring the inventory and optimizing the management processes to cut costs while ensuring adequate stock availability.

• Coordinating transportation and logistics activities, including freight forwarding, customs clearance, and selecting transportation modes for achieving cost-effective and timely delivery.

• Utilizing data analysis tools and techniques to extract insights from supply chain data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.

• Establishing and maintaining strategic relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts, and monitoring supplier performance.

• Collaborating with internal stakeholders, such as procurement managers, operations managers, and sales teams, to align supply chain activities with organizational objectives.

• Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce lead times, and mitigate risks.

• Managing and resolving supply chain issues, such as disruptions, bottlenecks, and quality concerns, in a timely and effective manner.

Requirements:

To excel in this role, you should have:

• A degree or specialization in supply chain management, logistics, or a related field.

• Proven experience in end-to-end supply chain management, with a minimum of [X] years in a similar role.

• Proficiency in supply chain analytics and extracting insights from complex datasets.

• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities with keen attention to detail.

• Familiarity with international trade regulations and experience with global supply chains is a plus.

Salary of a supply chain specialist

Efficiently managing and running the supply chain, especially for a fast-moving organization, usually requires a significant budget commitment. Supply chain specialists are compensated for their expertise and the critical role they play in optimizing operations. 

Several factors contribute to the average salary of a supply chain specialist. One should consider the level of experience, industry, geographic locations, organization size, supply chain complexity, cost of living, and demand for supply chain talent before extending an offer. 

According to Payscale, the average salary of a supply chain specialist in the US is $63,345 per year. This includes the base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, and commissions. 

This is a field where academic qualifications and geographic location might drastically change the expected salary, so be sure to define which skills and degrees you’re looking for and whether you’re open to hiring talent remotely.

Hire the best supply chain specialist with TestGorilla

To streamline your supply chain specialist recruitment process and identify your best candidates, you can use pre-employment skills testing. You can use this strategy when hiring for other related roles, too, such as supply chain managers or logistics managers.

Supply chain management is a crucial business domain that has the potential to make or break a company. Invite candidates to take a skills-based assessment tailored specifically to evaluate their skills related to managing teams, optimizing processes, forecasting demands, and maintaining on-time delivery.

To find the most qualified supply chain specialist, consider starting a free trial of TestGorilla today. With TestGorilla’s comprehensive skills assessments, you can identify the best talent fast and bias-free.

Source

1. “Supply Chain Management Market Size, Analysis Report [2029].” Fortune Business Insights, https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/supply-chain-management-market-102977. Accessed 5 July 2023.