Bridging the Talent Gap in Supply Chain (8/12/25)

Ellie Thornton

Alright, welcome back to Milestones Behind the Freight Curtain! I’m Ellie, and as always, I’m joined by Steve. Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s honestly been on my mind for ages—why is it so hard to get Gen Z excited about supply chain careers? Professor I mean, it’s not just about moving boxes, is it?

Steve DeNunzio

No, not at all, Ellie. And, you know, it’s funny—supply chain is everywhere, but it’s almost invisible until something goes wrong. Gen Z, they want purpose-driven work, right? They want to feel like what they do matters. And, I mean, supply chain is the backbone of, well, everything. But the industry’s got a bit of an image problem. People still think it’s all trucks and warehouses, not the tech, the strategy, the sustainability side.

Ellie Thornton

Exactly! And, like, during the pandemic, I remember walking into my local shop and seeing empty shelves for the first time ever. It was a bit of a shock, honestly. Suddenly, you realise—oh, it’s not just magic that food and medicine show up. There are real people making it all happen behind the scenes. That was my lightbulb moment, and I think a lot of people had the same one. But somehow, that sense of impact still isn’t coming through to young people choosing careers.

Steve DeNunzio

Yeah, and the talent shortage is real. Abe Eshkenazi from ASCM said it best: we need to rebrand supply chain as strategic and impactful, not just about manufacturing or distribution. Gen Z wants their work to align with their values—sustainability, technology, making a difference. But if we keep talking about forklifts and not about, say, how supply chain pros kept hospitals stocked with critical meds during COVID, we’re missing the mark.

Ellie Thornton

And there’s still this perception that manufacturing is, I dunno, a bit old-school or not exciting. But the reality is, it’s full of tech, data, and, honestly, some of the most creative problem-solving you’ll find anywhere. I think we just need to tell those stories better.

Steve DeNunzio

Absolutely. And, you know, as we’ve seen in past episodes—like when we talked about robots on the loading dock or AI in retail—this field is changing fast. But if we don’t get the next generation on board, we’re gonna have a real problem keeping up.

Steve DeNunzio

So, let’s talk about what’s actually working to bring new talent in. Universities like Ohio State are stepping up, but it’s not just about college anymore. There’s outreach to younger students, even down to grade school. I’ve seen programs where kids run lemonade stands to learn about supply chain basics—resource planning, pricing, all that. In my classes, I use Legos! It’s simple, but it plants the seed early.

Ellie Thornton

Oh, I love Legos! And, you know, diversity is a big part of this too. Some schools have women-led supply chain clubs, like Nexxus at the University of Tennessee, where they do networking, site tours, and bring in women leaders to show what’s possible. It’s about making sure everyone sees a place for themselves in the industry, right?

Steve DeNunzio

Yeah, and the partnerships with employers are huge. At Ohio State, we work closely with companies to make sure our curriculum matches what they actually need. That’s part of why I helped co-found O-SCAN with Jeremy Banta from Columbus State—the Ohio Supply Chain Academic Network. We wanted to bridge the gap between what students learn and what the industry’s looking for. O-SCAN’s all about aligning training programs with in-demand skills, building real employer-educator partnerships, and using data to spot workforce gaps. It’s not just theory; it’s about getting students ready for real jobs.

Ellie Thornton

And it’s not just in Ohio, either. Loads of universities are doing these corporate partnerships—career fairs, internships, even case competitions. It’s a win-win: students get experience, and companies get a pipeline of talent that’s actually prepared for the work. But I think the key is starting early, making it fun, and showing the real-world impact, not just the textbook stuff.

Steve DeNunzio

Right, and, you know, as these programs mature, we’re seeing more alignment on quality and content. Employers want grads with strong analytical skills, but also real-world experience and leadership potential. It’s a balancing act, but the more we collaborate, the better the outcomes for everyone.

Ellie Thornton

So, let’s get practical—how are companies actually winning the talent war? There are some really smart strategies out there. First, it’s about purposeful messaging: making it clear how each role connects to the bigger picture. Then, you’ve got to lay out clear career paths, offer personal development, and, crucially, keep those open conversations going. People want to feel valued, not just like another cog in the machine.

Steve DeNunzio

Yeah, and companies like Gebrüder Weiss are doing this well. They use mentorship to help new hires grow, and they’re big on internal promotions. Arrive Logistics, on the other hand, gets on campus early, meeting students where they are, not just at career fairs. That early engagement really makes a difference. And, of course, O-SCAN’s pipeline approach in Ohio is all about connecting students, educators, and employers from the start—so you’re not just filling jobs, you’re building careers.

Ellie Thornton

I’ve seen something similar in London, actually. There’s a retailer partnering with local universities to build a talent pipeline—offering internships, mentorship, and even sponsoring student projects. It’s a bit like what you’re doing with O-SCAN, Steve, just across the pond. The point is, these partnerships make the industry feel accessible and exciting, not just a fallback option.

Steve DeNunzio

And, you know, it’s not just about getting people in the door. Retention matters just as much. Recognising contributions, offering flexibility, and supporting personal growth—those are the things that keep people around. The companies that do this well, they’re not just filling seats, they’re building teams that want to stick around and grow with the business.

Ellie Thornton

Absolutely. And I think, if we keep telling those stories—about purpose, about opportunity, about real impact—we’ll start to see more young people choosing supply chain, not just stumbling into it. That’s all for this week, but we’ll be back soon with more behind-the-scenes stories from the world of logistics. Steve always a pleasure!

Steve DeNunzio

Always great chatting, Ellie. Thanks everyone for listening, and we’ll catch you next time on Milestones Behind the Freight Curtain. Take care!