Women make up 41 per cent of the supply chain workforce. This is a small increase from previous years. At board level, women still account for only 15 per cent of positions.
Gartner research shows that leadership roles in supply chain are increasingly allocated to women. Only at board level has there been a decline compared to previous years. 223 organisations were surveyed for Gartner's Women in Supply Chain Survey 2021. The results show the highest percentage of women in the supply chain workforce since the survey was launched in 2016.
More staff needed due to COVID-19
According to Gartner, this is partly due to the pandemic, when supply chains faced major challenges. Unlike other sectors, many new people had to be hired. "Many companies even faced talent shortages, especially in product supply chains," said Dana Stiffer, vice president analyst at Gartner. "This has created a greater representation of women in supply chain organisations."
Lack of advancement opportunities
The majority of respondents (54 per cent) said they find it difficult to keep women on board who are more advanced in their careers. Many women leave a supply chain organisation or supplier due to a lack of career opportunities. A lack of development opportunities is also cited as an important reason.
"Supply chain organsions that are serious about gender equality in the workplace need to create tailored leadership development programmes," says Stiffer. "In addition, they should ensure flexible work policies that meet the needs of women in mid-career."
