The Digital Supply Chain Challenge

The role and status of the supply chain executive has changed.

Traditionally, supply chain executives managed available capital and day-to-day operating expenses. They kept operations running like clockwork and made sure that their investors and customers were content.

Supply chain management has been changing for years. The prominence of manufacturing on a contract basis gives small businesses more options and changes their economic calculus. In addition, companies often employ outsiders to provide logistics. Supply chain managers’ concerns have, thus, moved away from being hands-on in areas such as storage and transportation, and toward direct business issues. Today, supply chain professionals deal with customer relations and large-scale corporate strategy.

E-commerce’s swift rise marks another change. E-commerce consumers can engage with stores, with online outlets like Amazon and with brands themselves. They can shop on a variety of digital devices and choose the delivery methods they prefer. With supply chain digitalization, companies now expect supply chain leaders to manage consumer relationships, ...