The Supply Chain Talent Shortage is Getting Worse—AI Can Bridge the Gap

During my 17-year term leading marketing at Kinaxis, I had a front-row seat to the challenges and transformations in supply chain planning. One of the most significant shifts I witnessed was the growing scarcity of experienced supply chain talent—a trend that has only intensified in recent years.  

Now, as a member of ketteQ’s Executive Advisory Board, I have a unique perspective on how companies are responding. What’s clear is that businesses are facing a major talent crisis, and AI-driven adaptive planning is emerging as a crucial way to bridge the gap. But technology alone isn’t the answer—companies must also invest in change management and digital fluency to truly unlock AI’s potential.  

The Supply Chain Talent Shortage is a Growing Crisis  

Supply chain planning has never been more complex. Global disruptions, shifting consumer expectations, and rapid technological advancements have made planning more dynamic and unpredictable than ever. Yet just as the need for skilled supply chain professionals has skyrocketed, the available talent pool has shrunk.  

The reasons are well-documented. Baby Boomers, who have long been the backbone of supply chain operations, are retiring in droves. Meanwhile, fewer young professionals are entering the field, with supply chain management struggling to compete with the allure of tech and finance careers. The result? Many organizations are left with understaffed teams, overburdened planners, and a widening knowledge gap.  

Why Traditional Approaches Won’t Solve the Problem

Historically, companies have tried to address talent shortages by offering higher salaries, improving training programs, or outsourcing key functions. While these tactics help, they don’t solve the fundamental issue: there simply aren’t enough experienced supply chain professionals to meet demand. Organizations need a way to do more with fewer experts.  

This is where AI-driven adaptive planning comes in.  

How AI Bridges the Supply Chain Talent Gap

AI isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about augmenting their capabilities. The right AI-powered solutions can automate routine tasks, enhance decision-making, and empower smaller teams to manage supply chains more effectively. At ketteQ, we see companies leveraging AI-driven adaptive planning in three major ways:  

1. Automating Repetitive Tasks  

Traditional supply chain planning involves a lot of manual work, from data aggregation to forecast adjustments. AI-powered systems, like ketteQ’s PolymatiQ™ solver, can handle these tasks in seconds, freeing planners to focus on higher-value strategic decisions. With fewer skilled professionals available, automation ensures supply chain operations run smoothly without adding to already overburdened teams.  

2. Enhancing Decision-Making with AI-Powered Insights

One of the biggest challenges of the talent shortage is the loss of institutional knowledge when experienced planners retire. AI-driven systems capture and learn from historical data, identifying patterns and recommending optimal decisions. Instead of relying solely on human intuition, organizations can leverage AI to provide planners with real-time insights and scenario analysis. This ensures that even less experienced employees can make informed, strategic decisions.  

3. Scaling Expertise Across the Organization

Supply chain experts are in high demand but can only be in so many places at once. AI allows organizations to scale the expertise of their best planners. Rather than every regional team developing their own forecasts and inventory plans from scratch, AI-driven solutions provide standardized, optimized recommendations that teams can execute with confidence. This makes it easier for businesses to maintain consistency and resilience, even with a leaner workforce.  

AI Adoption Isn’t Enough—Change Management is Critical

Rick McDonald, former CSCO, Clorox recently attended Manifest 2025 and shared his take-aways from the industry leaders at the event. It reinforces what we see at ketteQ: AI is no longer optional for business transformation, but success depends on how organizations implement it. A staggering 85% of employees feel disengaged during digital transformation initiatives. This means companies must prioritize change management, invest in AI literacy across all levels, and foster cultures where technology augments rather than replaces human intelligence.  

Organizations that focus only on the technology and neglect the people side of transformation risk falling behind. The future belongs to businesses that balance cutting-edge AI with employee engagement and continuous learning.  

AI-Powered Adaptive Planning is the Future

The companies thriving in this environment aren’t waiting for the talent shortage to resolve itself. They are using AI to close the gaps today. Whether it’s automating workflows, improving forecast accuracy, or enabling faster decision-making, AI-powered adaptive planning is proving to be a game-changer.    

Businesses that continue relying on traditional, manual planning processes will be at a disadvantage. The supply chain talent shortage isn’t going away—but by leveraging AI, companies can not only survive this shift; they can gain a competitive edge.  

The Bottom Line: AI Enables a More Resilient Workforce

Supply chains will always need human expertise. But with AI-powered solutions like ketteQ’s, businesses can ensure that their planners—whether seasoned professionals or new entrants to the field—have the tools they need to succeed. The companies that embrace AI today will be the ones best positioned to navigate the challenges of tomorrow.  

I’ve spent the bulk of my career watching the supply chain industry evolve, and I’ve never seen a more pivotal moment than this. The question isn’t whether companies should adopt AI-powered adaptive planning—it’s whether they can afford not to.