LASTMILE [ INSIGHT ]
by Christine Corson Executive Director, DSJ Global, a Phaidon International brand christine.corson@DSJGlobal.com | 646-759-4525
Last Mile Puts Talent, Technology First
Serious changes are happening in the supply chain as the ecommerce market continues to grow. The uptick in more online sales means an increase in the back-end logistics that go into getting a package from an online sale to the customer’s doorstep.
to the table, which allows them to provide more creative solutions, call out potential risks and new perspectives—all contributing to the team’s success. There is also a need for candidates with a cybersecurity background, another crucial role in the last-mile delivery chain. Since 90% of consumers want to track their orders, real-time parcel tracking and delivery updates have become standard practice. However, the potential risk of sharing payment data, personal information, and user credentials through laptops and other devises has greatly increased as attackers
demand to ensure these technologies are implemented ef ciently and securely. Automation-assisted productivity can lead to economic growth and create new job opportunities. As repetitive and mundane tasks are automated, employees can focus on more complex and value-added activities, leading to higher job satisfaction and engagement. A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TALENT The type of talent needed for last- mile logistics is shifting as ecommerce continues to evolve. More than ever, candidates with more technical backgrounds and degrees—such as engineering, robotics and computer science—are highly desired. These analytically focused candidates allow companies to increase onboarding ef ciency, as they can bypass some of the basic skills training that would otherwise be needed. The most desirable candidates, therefore, will have more technical education and experience than the industry has seen in years past. These types of candidates also bring diversi ed experience and knowledge
Success comes down to the team’s innovation and ef ciency—all aided by new technologies—to guarantee consumer satisfaction. The right talent in the last mile ensures smoother operations, which in turn increases customer retention, brand loyalty, and growth. It’s more important than ever that companies have talent with the right experience, leadership, and tools to be successful as competition increases. With the Amazon effect driving the ecommerce industry to new heights, every brand from big box retailers to small direct-to-consumer companies are incorporating more automation in their last-mile logistics to stay competitive and deliver the insights consumers expect. To meet consumer demand and get packages to their nal destination quicker, last-mile delivery has shifted to include technology-driven optimization tactics that lead to cost savings through reduced fuel consumption, ef cient route planning and improved resource utilization. However, human talent and experience can never truly be replaced. Experienced professionals are in
have become more sophisticated. Companies that don’t have the
right risk management team in place jeopardize the entire supply chain—and potentially millions of dollars. When it comes to the last mile, automation isn’t going anywhere. It’s proven to reduce costs and errors and increase ef ciency—a win-win for consumers and companies alike. New technology, however, is not synonymous with a lack of opportunities for a human workforce. Instead, companies are adding new
and exciting roles to complement innovation and security. They are
looking for experienced, analytical talent to ll these evolving roles, and just like the growth of ecommerce, it won’t slow down any time soon. n
46 Inbound Logistics • July 2024
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