Demand for AI Skills in Supply Chain Roles Growing at Staggering Pace: Gartner
Supply chain roles are rapidly evolving, and a recent Gartner study shows that demand for AI skills in these roles rose a staggering 387% from 2023 to 2026.
Gartner analyzed more than 35 million job postings, including 600,000 supply chain positions, and found that supply chain roles requiring AI skills grew faster than AI-related postings across other industries. This trend is also intensifying competition for a limited pool of qualified candidates, driving higher costs and longer timelines for these roles.
“The demand for AI skills in supply chain is accelerating at a rate that far exceeds the broader labor market, creating a widening talent gap that organizations cannot close through hiring alone,” Tess Frenzel, director analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice, said in a statement.
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The analysis also found that demand for AI skills is highest in mid-senior-level roles, which account for about 58% of roles requiring AI capabilities. Director-level roles also show strong demand for AI skills, underscoring the need for experienced senior professionals who can apply AI in supply chain environments.
In previous studies, Gartner recommended that chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) transition to an autonomous-ready workforce, focusing on roles that guide and improve AI systems. Building on these findings, Gartner is currently advising CSCOs to prioritize internal upskilling and to expand entry-level talent’s use of AI to strengthen AI capabilities within their workforce.
Entry-level roles account for a significant share of hiring but a smaller share of roles requiring AI skills, suggesting an underutilized workforce in terms of AI familiarity.
“Organizations that invest in both experienced professionals and emerging talent will be better positioned to scale AI adoption and prepare their workforce for the future of supply chain,” said Frenzel.
