We should consider a recent survey conducted by SCMR, APICS and APQC in 2017 to better understand Millennial as a significant piece of the Supply Chain Management (SCM) workforce. As baby boomers retire, will the arrival of graduates with degrees in SC ensure a strong workforce?
Millennials, those between the ages of 22 and 37, are making significant changes in the workplace, with principles, expectations, priorities and communication skill that evidently hold opposing views from those of their predecessors.
What does it make Supply Chain so interesting for Millennials?
SC brings enriching and meaningful opportunities to address a set of diverse, global, ecological and ethical challenges with tangible impact on the world and its inhabitants. Perhaps it all reflects on the rise of academic institutions with SCM programs at both the graduate and undergraduate level, and of the increasing number of job opportunities in all areas of SCM.
Some positive fact about Millennials in the SC workforce:
- They show a diverse interest in activities that span the end-to-end SC.
- They have become an important segment in SC workforce.
- This next generation of SC leader is highly educated.
- ü 28 percent report a master’s or other graduate degree.
- SC represents diversity and dynamic long-terms career at their workplace.
- They are now focused, engaged, motivated and committed to working in SCM.
- They are moving around less.
- They are highly satisfied with their jobs.
- They find SC worthwhile and personally rewarding.
- SC will help them with personal growth and development.
The areas of SC which are most attractive to Millennials is design and planning. They’re a motivated group willing to spend their time and resources in SC. To accomplish this, they are willing to enrol on any kind of continuing education programs with the firm idea to further education, and above all, certification on SC. They improve their job performance whilst gaining expertise.
But, which are the challenges they encounter?
- Men surpasses the number of women hired in SCM.
- Men and women are not paid equally, especially when they move up in their careers.
- When there’s a negative attitude towards them from older generation in the workplace.
- There’s a certain feeling of being disconnected from the big picture.
- Not being taking into consideration when they come up with new ideas.
- The feeling of lack of purpose in the workplace.
Millennials come with purposes, goals, and understanding of SC fundamentals. They’re gaining exposure to SC through on-the-job management training and rotational programs, which provide experience in multiple areas of their organisation. The majority came from jobs in Engineering, Sales, Marketing, and Finance. 50 percent of the respondents to this survey stated that a strong corporate environmental-responsibility program is a key deciding factor for options in the SCM area.
SUMMING UP: Millennials seek structure, guidance and a clear upward path in a career in SC. Senior managers must shift their leadership style to adapt to and embrace the different needs of this younger generation. These respondents demonstrated more stability and less movement from one company to another. Millennials are eager to continuing learning to close the gap of skills needed in SCM. They grow and learn rapidly on the job and accept any guidance coming from SC executives. They bring new-fresh ideas to the transformation of the industry.
Dave Food
To read the full Millennials in Supply Chain research report, visit: apics.org/millennials.