Vehicle Logistics: Bridging the Skills Gap By JUSTIN NEWELL , CEO, INFORM North America
Predicting the Future “ By 2030, technology will reshape nearly every part of supply chain management . Self-driving trucks, IoT- enabled assets, satellite connectivity, and AI will play major roles in how we plan and execute logistics. But at its core, the role won’t disappear, but evolve. Supply chain managers will still be risk managers and problem solvers, just with far more advanced tools at their fingertips. The biggest difference will be how much real-time data and automation they will have access to for making faster, smarter decisions. In short, the fundamentals stay the same; it’s the toolbox that changes.” MILTON FELICIANO Vice President of Information Technology, iGPS Logistics
Vehicle logistics is inherently complex, with every car moved from plant to dealer subject to multiple processing steps, transport modes, and yard conditions. Skilled operators develop a mental model over the years—knowing how to reroute around delays, how to prioritize vehicles under tight service level agreements (SLAs), and how to coordinate terminal movements with minimal idle time. As fleet owners and 3PLs struggle with labor availability and retention, this tribal knowledge can become a knowledge gap. Capturing Tribal Knowledge with Decision Intelligence Decision intelligence platforms can help. Unlike traditional process automation, decision intelligence platforms use AI, optimization algorithms, and rules-based reasoning to guide decision-making dynamically. Critically, these systems are not just about efficiency—they’re onboarding tools. They function like digital mentors: providing task-specific guidance based on best-practice logic. AI can assist in scheduling and resource allocation, ensuring tasks are prioritized effectively, and technicians are utilized optimally. Replicating Expertise at Scale Decision intelligence can play a critical role in strategic planning. A case in point is Toyota Logistics Services (TLS) in North America. Facing growing complexity across its national vehicle distribution network, TLS turned to a network optimization solution. The platform enabled TLS to simulate multiple scenarios based on cost, carrier capacity, emissions, and other key SLAs like delivery times, providing the best and second-best routing strategies across 58,000 possible carrier-route combinations. While navigating supply volatility, it cut annual cost by 3%, improved service predictability, and aligned with sustainability goals. CMA CGM Develops Future Leaders At TANGRAM, CMA CGM Group’s learning and innovation center in Marseille, France, 3,235 employees from 119 nationalities have completed tailored learning programs focused on artificial intelligence, climate, and leadership since the center was launched in 2024.
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The Future of the Supply Chain Manager Role
TANGRAM recently added eight learning programs, including a leadership program with Berkeley Executive Education, to teach individuals how to inspire high-performing teams and lead large-scale transformations. In addition to leadership skills, the new programs cover AI, decarbonization, sales, transformation, team, and individual
The bottom line: AI won’t make supply chain managers obsolete, but will elevate their importance. The repetitive tasks that have defined the role will be automated. What’s left is the higher-order work: problem-solving, strategy, and leadership.
development. For example, two strategic programs include: 1) artificial intelligence, which teaches participants how to understand AI opportunities and challenges, and foster AI adoption and culture; and 2) decarbonization, which lets learners engage with low-carbon frameworks, and shift mindsets on sustainability and Net Zero. In its second year, TANGRAM looks to increase its impact, with 8,000 learners from 120 nationalities set to participate across its programs—with 45% women.
November 2025 • Inbound Logistics 47
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