• APAC Leads in Digital Skills: 26% of APAC supply chain jobs require digital expertise, compared to just 15% and 19% in North America and Europe

• Western Firms Lag Behind: Western companies in APAC demand 27% digital skills vs. 16% back home, highlighting a skills gap

• APAC Focuses on the Future: Job postings in APAC are 3x more likely to require cutting-edge automation, analytics, and software engineering skills compared to North America

LONDON, July 31, 2024 – The global supply chain industry is experiencing a profound digital transformation, with the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region emerging as a formidable leader in tech talent. New research from Zero100, a leading supply chain intelligence firm, reveals a dramatic shift in the demand for digital skills, positioning APAC at the forefront of innovation and challenging the traditional dominance of the US and UK.

Historically viewed as a hub for low-cost labour, APAC is now the epicentre of digital supply chain expertise, outpacing Western counterparts in both skill acquisition and technological advancement. This seismic shift is more than offshoring; it signifies a redistribution of power with significant implications for the future of work.

Zero100's research underscores the urgency for Western companies to adapt. In APAC, over 26% of supply chain roles demand digital expertise, compared to just 15% in North America and 19% in Europe. This gap widens even further when looking at jobs posted by Western companies operating in APAC – a staggering 27% demand digital skills compared to a mere 16% back home.

Anne-Laure Descours, Chief Sourcing Officer, Puma, commented: "Given the revolution we are witnessing, it’s essential that Western companies revisit their Asia talent strategies. When we established our sourcing team in Hong Kong, it wasn’t a cost decision, it was a capability decision. It’s primarily about the skills people bring and what they contribute to running the business effectively.”

The digital skills gap isn't limited to basic data entry. APAC job postings are three times more likely to require cutting-edge capabilities in automation, analytics, and software engineering. The region's focus extends to artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, and cloud technologies – critical components for building resilient, future-proof supply chains.

The equation for successful digital transformation goes beyond technical expertise. It requires a strong foundation in soft skills as well. In the APAC region, job descriptions increasingly emphasise not only technical expertise but also essential soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and change management. These skills enable individuals to effectively translate business needs into technological solutions. Although communication skills remain more prevalent in the US (52%) compared to the UK (33%), APAC is rapidly closing the gap.

The rise of APAC's digital talent pool presents both challenges and opportunities for Western firms. To remain competitive, companies in the US and UK must rethink their talent acquisition strategies and embrace the evolving landscape. This talent shift is more than just filling roles; it marks a 'brain gain' for APAC, with top universities producing world-class graduates and Western-educated professionals returning home to lead global supply chains.

Already, major corporations like Puma, Under Armour, and Dyson are shifting key operations to APAC, highlighting a shift in senior leadership, decision-making, and innovation from West to East. This trend signifies a critical inflection point for the global supply chain industry, urging Western companies to adapt swiftly or risk falling behind.

For further information on Zero100's research and insights into the evolving digital supply chain landscape, please visit www.zero100.com.

About Zero100

The world’s most influential and forward-thinking Chief Operations and Supply Chain Officers partner with Zero100, a membership-based research and intelligence organization, to accelerate progress on Digital Supply Chain Transformation. Members share a common purpose – to harness new technology to re-invent the production, distribution, and consumption of physical goods around the world.

Zero100’s approach combines unique IP-led research and data, intimate executive-level events, personalized guidance, and access to an extensive community of influential thinkers and voices from within, and beyond, supply chain.

The company is headquartered in London, UK, with offices in New York, USA.

Zero100 members include Walmart, Google, Unilever, Volvo Cars, PUMA, Bayer Crop Science, The Estée Lauder Companies, Colgate-Palmolive, Cummins, Haleon, Kimberly-Clark, Ecolab, Mondelez, Under Armour, and more.

To find out more, including a full list of our Advisory Board Members, visit https://zero100.com/about-us/.