DC Velocity - February 2014

40 DC VELOCITY FEBRUARY 2014 www.dcvelocity.com s pe c ia lr e p ort

HU MAN R E SOU R C E S I SSU E S IN LO GI S TI C S

are those that require active pursuit of candidates and personal involvement, such as executive recruiters, internship and co-op programs, university faculty referrals, networking, and employee referral programs. (See Exhibit 1.)

Why are these “old-fashioned” methods so effective? Because they allow employers to get to know a candidate as a person, not just a résumé. Internships, for example, let employers observe and assess prospective employees’ capabilities and “fit” with the company. Consistent engagement with university logistics and supply chain management programs gives employers an opportunity to “get your organization out in front of the emerging talent base,” said one respondent to the CSCMP survey. Professors and college placement centers can also help match jobs with appropriate students and alumni.

Networking with peers and supply chain partners,
encouraging employees to refer candidates, and working
with recruiters can also be fruitful. Recruiters with a strong
background in logistics and supply chain operations, for
example, will understand a position’s responsibilities and
requirements, says Jacobson, who worked in the field before
becoming a recruiter. The personal touch is important, he
adds. “We know how to find and talk to those that are not
actively seeking a new position, and we can introduce them
to an opportunity that would be a good fit for them.
We can make sure they are a good fit for the com-
pany, both in experience and personality.”
The research findings and advice offered by
Firth, Jacobson, and others involved in logistics
and supply chain recruiting provide a useful
guideline for managers worried about finding
the right talent for increasingly complex and
demanding jobs. A program that combines realis-
tic requirements for candidates with both online
and proactive recruiting efforts will lead to
success in acquiring the best talent in today’s
marketplace. ;

Editor’s note: SCM Talent Development: The Acquire Process is available from the

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals for $29.95 ($19.95 for members). CSCMP has published two additional reports in its series on best practices in talent development: The Develop Process and The Advance Process. More information is available at cscmp.org under “Resources & Research.”

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