Developing Supply Chain Professionalism and Capability in Aotearoa

Together with Executive and Professional Development, the CSCM is building an ecosystem that supports the development of capable supply chain leaders in Aotearoa. This ecosystem is increasingly vital in these Covid-19 disrupted times where businesses are dependent upon supply chains and now know it.

NZPICS and CIPS supply ample development for supply chain professionals with their online programmes, but our vision is to build pathways of learning about supply chain leadership that move from foundational management skills to the leadership of large-scale supply management systems. Currently, opportunities to develop skills systematically are fragmented across universities, industry bodies, and individual organisations. They also don’t necessarily meet the needs of senior leaders and CEOs of SMEs who need to understand their supply chains better but have not had sufficient involvement with supply chain thinking to make the best decisions about their supply chain activities. There is also excellent research occurring in the Business School and elsewhere, which we can bring to you in various ways (online, as articles, events and professional development masterclasses). We have seen those needs and are in the process of building that pathway in collaboration with industry leaders and industry bodies.

This work has been going on for some years now and is generously supported by industry leaders from a range of companies, including Fonterra, the NZ Defence Force, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, CODA, Air New Zealand, the January Group, Kotahi and Sanfords. Executive supply chain leaders from each of these companies form our Centre Advisory Group, committed to working together to shape learning experiences that build strategic supply chain capability over time.

The Strategic Supply Chain Management Programme (SSCMP) delivered through Executive and Professional Development forms a key plank in the approach, bringing together people from different organisations to study together in five modules over five months. The SSCMP cohort joins the CIO, CFO and Strategic People programme cohorts to work together and learn about the transition from technical to executive leadership. Through the programme, they learn to see the difference between leading a team of professionals and leading an organisation.

Each cohort also delves into how to lead their own functional group underpinned by the best research in the area from our academics and international sources. In the supply chain area, we explore organisational and supply chain strategy, supply chain design, optimisation, new technologies and innovation, including ways to tackle the tremendous challenges we have in global and national supply systems now. Academic rigour combined with business experience gives participants an in-depth view of strategic supply chain operations, which they must apply in a challenging project in their company or work together across a sector.

A key to the value of the events and programmes we run through the Centre and Executive and Professional Development is the network available to everyone involved, should you choose to ‘dive in’. We want to build strong networks amongst supply chain professionals and dedicated development opportunities based on industry required competencies.

We see the opportunity to work with industry groups to raise awareness, learn about new initiatives and research and conduct collaborative projects to resolve common supply chain issues and problems. Building the visibility and skills of women in supply chain roles under the Women in Supply Chain brand and facilitating internships for University of Auckland students at any level is also a primary focus.

The purpose of this work is to:

• Improve the pipeline of skilled supply chain professionals able to take on senior supply chain roles.
• Create strong supply chain capability in New Zealand that will benefit all industries facing global competition and radical changes in technology and workforce disruption.

If you would like more information on this concept or want to become more active in this ecosystem, please email Felicity Lawrence.