The supply chain is essential to any organization. What makes it challenging is the dynamic nature as well as the high impact it has on the business. That’s why it’s necessary to have a good leader on top. If you’re hiring for leadership positions for supply chain jobs, then make sure you look for talents with the right skills. Here are some of the skills that you’ll want to look out for.

Strong Analytical Skills

The supply chain is all about numbers. You’ll want someone who’s strong suit is numbers and analysis, then. The leader often handles large amounts of data, and so must know analytics along with the different analytical models key to decision-making. Without these skills, or being unfamiliar with data analytics will be fatal and will compromise your team and organization.

Technology Know-How

When you look for a leader, choose those who are up to date with the technology. They should know how to use software and be familiar with automated processes. They know how to digitalize data and be open to working with new and advanced technologies to manage their work. They not only need to understand digital tools and platforms, they also need to encourage the adoption of these tools and technologies for their teams and companies.

Embraces Change

A good leader embraces change. Business environments change and leaders capable of embracing that change, of working with those changes and finding ways to deal with them, of developing new and better practices for those environments, are the best kind. They drive success in your organization. Their mindset helps them create the best working conditions, where employees learn how to think on their feet, how to adjust, and role with the punches. They know how things work on the ground, so they are able to adjust to those changes in a way that creates efficient processes. If you want a leader who creates value, then this is the kind of skill you’ll want to look for.

Negotiation Skills

Hire a leader with exceptional negotiation skills. There will be endless talks and negotiations with internal and external stakeholders as well as business partners. You need to find someone who knows how to communicate viewpoints and have excellent convincing power. You need someone who understands the market dynamics very well, and who’s got a good grasp of how rates and service pricing works. Someone with a good handle on the latest industry trends is a perfect fit for this position, too.

People Management

Improve relationships in your team. A manager who knows how to talk to people, how to manage them, how to motivate and encourage them is a smart hiring decision. The best kind of managers, those who know how to communicate with their teammates, those who listen, find a way to boost people’s morale. Their guidance and advice are often enough to strengthen drive, determination, and hard work in their departments. If you want to see your business thrive, invest in your people. Get the right leaders for your team and you’ll see a marked difference in your productivity outcomes and bottom line.