The supply chain reality TV show
If you ever questioned the growing importance of the supply chain manager role within an organization, the premiere of a reality TV show this week revolving around the supply chain function should put those questions to rest. From the same producers of reality hits such as “The Biggest Loser” and “Big Brother” comes “Billion Dollar Buyer” which features 12 entrepreneurs vying to become a supplier for Landry’s, a Houston-based company with over 500 hospitality properties. In essence, Landry’s CEO and owner, Tilman Fertitta, has taken his supplier scouting and recruiting process and made it public. The aim of the show is to be both entertaining and educational regarding business operations.
The company’s supply chain is reportedly worth over $2 billion. In a recent interview with Nation’s Restaurant News, Fertitta notes the importance of having a complete understanding of the three main aspects of business: operations, finance and marketing. Great marketing will get you sales, but if operations are slow, and customers have to wait too long for their orders, things can go downhill fast. The opposite is also true: great operations are key, but if nobody knows you are great at what you do, sales will lag. It is the proper management of these three aspects of business that will be highlighted in this new reality show.
Read more on Fertitta’s interview and the new show here.
Trouble in Target supply chain paradise
Four weeks ago, we reported on the aggressive moves Target was making to improve its underdeveloped e-commerce supply chain operations. Slow delivery and the inability to meet demand quickly put Target in the e-commerce penalty box as customers turned to alternatives. One of the company’s boldest moves to improve its image was recruiting long-time supply chain expert, Arthur Valdez, directly from Amazon. Target announced its plan to have Valdez transform the company’s supply chain planning, distribution and transportation processes. Amazon did not take this announcement lightly and has now filed a court action against Target for poaching one of its top employees.
Arthur Valdez was set to have his first day as a target employee on March 28, but with this court action looming, that has been thrown into doubt. Basically, Amazon is claiming that Valdez signed a non-compete clause which prevents him from working for direct competitors for a set amount of time. The worry is that Valdez will use confidential knowledge gained from one of the world’s best e-commerce companies to improve a competing firm’s operating processes. Amazon would like to see Valdez wait a total of 18 months before joining Target. The ball is now in the hands of the court. Through this story, we can see that the fight for qualified supply chain talent is heating up.
Read more on the Target/Amazon saga here.
University of Tennessee creates new program for stand-out supply chain students
In order to create a larger talent pool so that future poaching situations (as seen in our previous story) may become less common, we are seeing an increase in the number of developmental programs in the field of supply chain management. One such program was announced this week from the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business. Its new Supply Chain Management Scholars of Distinction program aims to reduce the industry talent gap by connecting employers with new hires at an early stage in their academic careers. Top students will be identified and provided with peer mentors, career guidance and networking opportunities as early as their freshman year. Networking events will be used to connect recruiters with these new up-and-coming supply chain minds. Students qualify based on their grade point average and their academic year.
Read more here.
Have a great weekend!