Considering that an average company’s supply chain-related costs represent more than 80% of revenue and 50% of assets, the risks of poor supply chain management are huge. Gone are the days when supply chain management was viewed simply as a way of gaining competitive advantage. Today, it is a critical component of business and a role which demands outstanding executives.
The Industrial Practice’s Dave MacEachern discusses the five traits that have emerged that differentiate top supply chain managers from their peers – leadership, global perspective, business acumen, strategic thinking and technological skill.
This article looks at each of the characteristics and examines their importance in a role that is increasingly dynamic and one which has moved from being purely operational to strategic.
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Posted with permission of Supply Chain Management Review, Reed Business Information, copyright 2004.
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