Supply chain professionals hit the jackpot

Not only do people working in supply chain management love their jobs, but their earning potential is also up. However, employers are placing more emphasis on professional development in the supply chain business, which has been in the public eye more than ever since the pandemic and other recent disruptions.

These are some of the findings of the 2022 Supply Chain Salary and Career Survey Report conducted by the US-based Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), of which SAPICS, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management in Southern Africa, is a Premier Elite channel partner.

“The Covid-19 crisis and other disruptions highlighted the importance of supply chains to everyone. From being a field that was not well understood and sometimes undervalued, working in the supply chain profession is now something to aspire to,” says SAPICS president MJ Schoemaker.

“During the pandemic, supply chain professionals were responsible for keeping essential goods on shelves, distributing personal protective equipment (PPE), medical oxygen, ventilators, lifesaving medicines, and vaccines. When supply chains failed, there were shortages and stock outs. Suddenly, everyone was talking about supply chains, and the interest of our youth was piqued, too. The rise of supply chain management has the potential to help fight South Africa’s dire youth unemployment crisis, while at the same time addressing a deepening supply chain skills shortage across many sectors.

More demand for supply chain professionals

“Those interested in pursuing a career in supply chain management today will find that there is more demand than ever before for supply chain professionals,” Schoemaker asserts. She notes, however, that there is also more emphasis than ever on suitable supply chain qualifications and continuous skills development.

“Supply chain management is a constantly changing and evolving profession. More than two-and-a-half years of volatility stretched supply chains to breaking point. This highlighted the need for skilled, proficient supply chain practitioners and forward-thinking supply chains that can anticipate disruptions. ‘Forward-Thinking Supply Chains’ is the theme of the 45^thannual SAPICS Conference, Africa’s leading education and networking event for the supply chain profession,” Schoemaker reveals.

“It is vital for all supply chain practitioners to keep updating their skill sets and knowledge, and honing their expertise,” she stresses.

Respondents in the 2022 Supply Chain Salary and Career Survey Report echoed this. The survey revealed that supply chain salaries and compensation are up, but employers are placing more value on professional development.

Survey respondents reported an average 9% pay increase, while overall compensation grew by an average of 12%. The survey also found that employees with just one certification, certificate, or credential earn 17% more than those without. APICS certification is particularly in demand, as people with at least one APICS certification earn 25% more than those without. Additionally, more than just a supply chain degree is needed to increase one’s value in the field, the survey revealed: professionals with a BA in supply chain and an APICS certification earn 18% more than those with a supply chain BA alone.

Fit-for-purpose education

Through SAPICS, Southern African supply chain practitioners have access to internationally recognised APICS certifications. “As the Professional Body for Supply Chain Management, SAPICS ensures that supply chain professionals are equipped with fit-for-purpose education, training, knowledge and know-how. SAPICS is the South African custodian of a variety of internationally recognised certifications, including the APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) and CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution),” Schoemaker elaborates. “These are offered by SAPICS in association with its American affiliate, ASCM. A suite of designations from the Demand Driven Institute in the USA is also highly sought after, as well as the popular Certified Professional Forecaster from the Institute of Business Forecasting (IBF) and Certified Supply Chain Analyst from the International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA).”

The CPIM is considered the premier certification for internal supply chain business operations, with more than 74 000 professionals certified worldwide. The CLTD programme addresses the burgeoning need for standard benchmarks in the rapidly changing logistics, transportation, and distribution industries.

SAPICS is spearheading the drive to professionalise the supply chain management profession in Southern Africa. This process is now well underway: the first two designations – Supply Chain Management Advanced Practitioner and Supply Chain Management Executive – have been awarded to an elite group of supply chain professionals.

“By professionally designating individuals, SAPICS will increase supply chain management competence, knowledge, and skills, while industry professionals will have prescribed values and ethics to uphold,” Schoemaker emphasises. “Until now, the supply chain field has been unregulated in terms of levels of competence, skills, and ethics. The ongoing professional development required to maintain designations will ensure that African supply chain management keeps pace with global best practice.”