The Core Challenges Companies Face During Supply Chain Transformation

Even the best-funded transformation programs fail — and usually for the same reasons: 

1) Key Challenges hiring companies and candidates mention to RJM include:

🔹 Legacy Systems & Fragmented Data

Many companies still work across disconnected systems (Excel, manual workflows, outdated ERPs), which prevents real-time visibility and slows decision-making. 

🔹 Change Resistance Inside the Business

Transformation isn’t just tech — it’s behaviour, mindset, and culture. Teams who have “always done it this way” often resist new workflows, automation, or job redesign. 

🔹 Talent Gaps in Digital & Analytical Capabilities

Companies discover they have plenty of operational expertise — but not enough talent skilled in data analytics, automation, S&OP, AI forecasting, or supply chain systems design.  Many hiring companies are outsourcing to AI for cost saving reasons. While that is understandable, professionals are needed to communicate and explain in simple terms what the data represents and how it effects a business day to day across different departments. 

🔹 Difficulty Aligning Stakeholders Across Functions

 Sales, operations, procurement, finance, logistics, and IT rarely move at the same speed. Transformation fails when functions optimise for themselves, not for the end-to-end supply chain. Supply chains need to be able to shift in silo as one unit when an external challenge arises. This will not be possible if departments are fragmented and not in alignment and taking a department view first over the whole supply chain business 

🔹 Lack of Clear Ownership & Accountability

 Many transformations stall because “everyone owns it” — so ultimately, nobody owns it.

2)How Successful Companies Execute Transformation

The companies that win are the ones that approach transformation as a business model change, not a technology install. They follow a predictable pattern:

Start with visibility, not automation – You can’t improve what you can’t see 

Build cross-functional alignment early – Operations + IT + Finance + Commercial 

Pilot before scaling – One facility, lane, product line, or function at a time 

Track ROI and operational outcomes instead of tech outputs 

Bring in external expertise where talent gaps exist (contract or perm)

Transformation is not a “project.”

 It’s an ongoing operating model, with people, data, and processes evolving in parallel. Requires humility, and thirst for continuous improvement and learning. 

3) The People & Skills Required for Modern Supply Chain Transformation

Supply chain transformation is now talent-led as much as tech-led.

The most in-demand roles typically include:

Transformation & Strategy

Supply Chain Transformation Lead, PMO, Lean / CI Manager

Designs roadmap & drives execution

Planning & Analytics

S&OP Manager, Supply Chain Data Analyst, Demand Planner

Enables forecasting, scenario planning, visibility

Digital & Systems

ERP / TMS / WMS Implementation Manager, RPA Lead, AI Supply Chain Analyst

Automates & integrates core workflows

Operations & Resilience

Network Optimization Manager, Logistics Excellence Manager, Inventory Control Lead

Reduces cost, risk, lead times

Procurement & Risk

Strategic Sourcing Manager, Supply Chain Risk Manager

Diversifies suppliers, ensures resilience

The strongest professionals are hybrid profiles: operational + analytical + tech-literate.

4) The Technology Driving Successful Supply Chain Transformation

Here is the stack most frequently adopted in successful programs:

ERP Modernisation

SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics

Integrates core business + supply chain data

Transport & Warehouse Systems

CargoWise, Manhattan, Blue Yonder, Körber

Reduces manual logistics work, improves fulfilment speed

Supply Chain Planning & S&OP Platforms

Kinaxis, o9 Solutions, Anaplan, ToolsGroup

Enables demand planning, scenario modelling, inventory optimisation

Automation & RPA

UiPath, Automation Anywhere

Removes repetitive manual processes

Supply Chain Visibility & Risk Tools

FourKites, Project44, Everstream Analytics

Real-time tracking & disruption alerts

AI & Predictive Analytics

Palantir Foundry, Snowflake, internal ML solutions

Improves forecasting, reduces buffer stock costs

IoT & Smart Logistics

Sensor-based tracking, telematics, robotics

Supports real-time decision making & warehouse automation

Tech is not the goal — it is the enabler. 

Without the right people and processes, the software becomes another expensive spreadsheet.

Final Thought

 Supply chain transformation is no longer optional. The companies that treat it as a technology upgrade will fall behind. The companies that treat it as a strategic reinvention of how value flows through the business will win.

 And the biggest competitive advantage in 2025–2026 will not be software — it will be who has the right people to lead, analyse, automate, and continuously improve the supply chain.

If you are interest discuss supply chain transformation projects and want to learn more about related talent that can be found both inside and outside of the supply chain industry but still make positive impacts reach out to Robert Maguire, Founder of RJM & Associates Ltd.