Market Sentiment

With tariffs and macro uncertainty already weighing on confidence for some, supply chain professionals are scrutinizing job security more carefully before making a move. Employers hiring now should lead with stability - emphasizing business resilience and the strategic importance of their function within their organization.

When it comes to future skills, the near-even split between the importance respondents place on interpersonal skills and AI literacy over the next few years signals that the most in-demand roles will develop both: pairing technical upskilling with genuine leadership and relationship-building opportunities.

QUESTION 1

If you had to look for a new role in the next 12 months, how confident would you feel based on the current job market?

Very confident

Somewhat confident

Somewhat unconfident

Not at all confident

For supply chain professionals who said ‘very confident’, the vast majority said their primary reason for selecting this confidence level was due to demand for their skills and experience (60%), followed by their track record of delivering results (22%).
For those who selected ‘somewhat confident’, responses were more varied - 31% again said demand for their skills and experience, 23% said their track record of delivering results, and 21% said the current economic climate.
For the 40% who said they were ‘somewhat unconfident’ or ‘not at all confident’, their reasons were identical - almost all said this was either due to the current economic climate (60%) or the availability of roles in their market (24%).
Respondents working in engineering were most likely to feel confident looking for a new role in the current market - 67% said they were either very or somewhat confident, with almost half (47%) citing demand for their skills and experience as the primary reason why.
Conversely, planning professionals were least likely to have confidence in their job search, with 57% saying they were very or somewhat confident. For those who weren’t confident, the majority (61%) said this was due to the current economic climate.

QUESTION 2

What do you expect will be the biggest impact of tariffs and trade restrictions on supply chain and manufacturing roles in the next 12 months?

Increasing job opportunities

Decreasing job opportunities

Changing skills and qualifications needed

Creating new types of roles

No material impact

For those who said they expect that tariffs and trade restrictions will result in new types of roles being created, responses pointed to increased demand for project management roles focused on tariff mitigation, alongside growth in trade compliance, customs clearance, logistics and carrier management, and reshored manufacturing positions.
Respondents working in commercial solutions roles were most likely to expect increasing job opportunities (21%) and changing skills and qualifications (35%), while technical operations professionals were most likely to think that job opportunities will decrease (43%).

“What we’ve seen over the past couple of years is disruption, but not necessarily a long-term reduction in demand in job opportunities. The importance of supply chain and manufacturing roles is actually higher than ever. The value these professionals bring to organizations has increased significantly, because businesses are having to rethink how and where they operate.

“There may be some short-term hesitation in hiring due to uncertainty, particularly with the stop-start nature of policy changes, but longer term this is about a shift in the hiring landscape. Companies are having to look at reshoring, improving plant efficiency, and adapting supplier strategies. That requires different skills and, in many cases, more strategic capability, not less hiring overall.”

Christine Corson, Managing Director - DSJ Global USA

QUESTION 3

Which skill do you feel will be most important for your role over the next 3 years as supply chains automate and transform?

Interpersonal skills

AI literacy

Hands-on troubleshooting

Technical skills

Legal/compliance knowledge

Other (please specify)

For those who selected ‘Other’, the majority of responses revolved around ensuring the human elements of roles are not lost, such as networking and maintaining strong vendor relationships, adaptability, and business acumen.
Planning professionals (29%) and supply chain leaders (28%) were most likely to select AI literacy as the most important skill for their role over the next three years, while those working in commercial solutions most commonly selected interpersonal skills (32%) and engineers were most likely to select technical skills (29%).

“The general view from senior leaders is not that AI will eliminate roles, but that it will change them. A lot of the tactical, administrative work will be automated, which frees up time for professionals to focus on higher-value activity.

“That’s where we see the move toward interpersonal skills becoming more important. If AI is handling data processing and analysis, professionals will spend more time building relationships, influencing stakeholders, and developing broader business strategy. So it’s not a reduction in the need for people, but a change in how their time is spent and what is expected of them.”

Christine Corson, Managing Director - DSJ Global USA

AI’s Impact on Supply Chain Hiring & Careers

Most supply chain professionals are not overly concerned about AI displacing their roles, however worry was higher among individual contributors and manager-level respondents than those in VP or higher level positions.

QUESTION 4

How concerned are you that AI or automation could reduce the need for your role in the next 3 years?

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Slightly concerned

Not at all concerned

Employers: Should you use AI tools in your hiring process?

See the data

“Nearly half of respondents are uncomfortable with AI in hiring processes. That’s a significant portion of the talent pool. If organizations are relying heavily on AI-driven interviews or screening, there is a risk that they could disengage candidates early in the process. It’s something employers need to be mindful of as they look to introduce more technology into hiring.”