With the current trends and challenges within the supply chain operation, professionals with strong leadership qualities have a high value and are much sought after. Employers may find however, that identifying this crucial talent during a supply chain recruitment campaign may not be clear-cut, even for HR managers. Bis Henderson consultants know from experience exactly what attributes to look for when selecting the best candidates for a SCM position.

Essentially, a future leader should be a pace-setter with the foresight to navigate the supply chain through unexplored territory, while keeping a close eye on the ball with established operations. Supply chain managers must also be able to perform well under pressure, with the mental agility to respond to daily challenges as soon as they occur.

Bis Henderson recruiters appreciate that an effective leader needs more than technical ability and a high IQ. They should be able to collaborate not only with team members, but also with external suppliers. This now often requires an empathy for cultural and geopolitical differences and considering the global reach of many supply chains, multi-lingual skills are valuable.

The best leaders will have the vision to improve current practices which may well be outdated and to set new benchmarks for performance and productivity. They should also be able to convince key stakeholders to buy into these new objectives. Strong leadership requires the SCM to be a good listener who is able to share ideas with the team and to take on a well-rounded approach to daily issues and procedures. In order for a leader to be successful, they must have a good rapport with their followers in order to ensure there exists solid support, adaptability to change and long-term development within the supply chain.

Bis Henderson will assist the client in identifying the priorities and objectives in securing the right supply chain manager ahead of all competition.