Global Supply Chain Management in 2025: Separating the Signal from the Noise

How can supply chains navigate in this time of extreme volatility and disruption?

The first thing to do is separate the signal from the noise. From sourcing tactics to talent strategies, you need to take a measured approach to the things that might — and might not — happen. 

The Talent Shortage Crisis

Will there be enough workers to fill the jobs? Newly built manufacturing plants in the U.S. require people with front-line as well as personnel-management skills— yet they lack enough experienced plant managers to fill those positions. There’s a pressing need for new leaders to fill in for those who are aging out of manufacturing roles. And if we continue to lose skilled labor to migration out of fear of deportation, then managers will have to step up and try to close those already widening gaps.

A measured approach to market fluctuations is always wise. Don’t overexpand and overhire during the good times, and you won’t have to overcorrect in the bad times. It’s like the military says: “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” You know your optimal growth rate and how to achieve it. Success depends on how well we all respond to the “noise,” and these dramatic market shifts, in real time. 

Industries across the globe are facing wage pressures and skills shortages. Manufacturing, agriculture and food production, healthcare, and technology are all in need of more people to fill existing and future roles amid escalating wage demands. 

Specific roles and positions within the supply chain sector that are seeing heightened demand include logistics managers, supply chain analysts, procurement specialists, warehouse operations managers, and plant managers.

Strategic Workforce Planning

If the Trump administration ends up levying tariffs on Canada and Mexico, there will be major personnel and production disruptions. It could result in more qualified workers hitting the market.