Industry insights
Human Resources Management: Recruiting Supply Chain Experts 01
Company background
to optimize cycle times. Consequently, decision makers are not
In few words, please describe your company activity
able to improve the existing processes. Moreover, logistics
“We are a recruiting agency which represents IESF in
companies are not using latest technologies and thus, need more manpower to compensate this lack of technology.
Dubai. IESF (International Executive Search Federation) is the largest retained executive search group in the world
What attracts talents in the Middle East? How difficult
identifying talent and leadership in 160 offices and 40
is it to retain skilled resources?
countries globally. We look for experts/specialists and talents
“Some young talents look forward to getting more exposure
using direct search approach. We have successfully made searches in all support functions (HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Logistics, Procurement and Project Management) and in the following
industries:
IT/Telecom,
Logistics
Engineering,
than they would have in a mature market and to endorsing real responsibilities. Besides this, the packages offered can be higher and tax free in some countries of the Middle East. On the
other hand, retaining talent isother extremely hand, difficult retainingbecause talent of is “Good professionals high inflation rates which have to be reflected in salary extremely difficult because of UAE, Qatarand andFMCG Saudi Arabia.” Retailers for UAE, Qatar and Saudi increases. In addition, recognition is very important to rates which have who can handle the high inflation Arabia.” employees so that managementtoshould able to offer 02 Manpower landscape in the Middle be bereflected in training salary full supply chain cycle & development, career growth, promotions, incentives on East 02 Manpower landscape in the increases. In addition, target reached…” How is theEast Middle East manpower landscape? Specifically Middle recognition is very important to are very hard to find” in supply How is chain the management Middle East manpower employees so that management Manufacturing, Construction,Construction, Large Retailers Engineering, Manufacturing, Largeand FMCG for
landscape?
“Good professionals who can handle full or part supply “Good oodprofessionals professionals who can for or part supply chain cycle are very hard to find two full main First, “G who can handle orreasons. chainsupply cycle are very hard tovery find for two main reasons. First, universities in the region are not focusing enough on Logisticspart chain cycle are hard to find for universities indespite the region areneeds not of focusing enough onin Supply Chain the huge skilled two main reasons. First, universities in the manpower Logistics-Supply Chain we despite theon skilled this sector. can find ahuge lot ofneeds good of operational region are Moreover, not focusing enough Logisticsmanpower in this sector. Moreover, webox, canskilled find a lotprocesses of good people they cannot think out needs of the improve Supply but Chain despite the huge of operational people but they cannot think outa ofcycle the times. box, to increaseinquality, decrease costs and optimize manpower this sector. Moreover, we can find improve processes to increase decrease costs and Consequently, decision makers are they notto able to improve the lot of good operational peoplequality, but cannot optimize cycle times. Consequently, decision makers are not existing processes. think out of the box, improve processes to able to improve existing processes. increase quality,thedecrease costs and optimize What attracts talents in the 2010 B2G Copyright -decision Middle East Series cycle©times. Consequently, makers are
Middle What attracts talents in the Middle East? How difficult is it to retain
not able to improve the existing processes.
What levels most lacking in the Middle East?training employees so are thatthe management should be able to offer should be able to offer training & development, career growth, promotions, incentives on development,are career enior Levels and Middle&Management notgrowth, strong target reached…” promotions, on enough to ensure that the strategies and tacticsincentives decided by the
“S
target reached…” Board/Executives implemented.” Which levels are are theefficiently most lacking in the Middle East? levels are areaffect the strong most How do Levels the nationalization programs local “S enior and Middle What Management not lacking the Middle East? companies? enough to ensure that the strategies andintactics decided by the
“I
“S
Board/Executives are efficiently implemented.” enior Levels and onMiddle t should be a two-way street; instead of focusing these areaffect not strong programs, companies shouldManagement make a real selection of How do the nationalization programs local enough toones. ensure that hired the candidates and hire only motivated Newly companies? and job tactics decided employees should be providedstrategies with detailed descriptions
21 “I be targets. a two-way street; of focusing these by instead the Board/Executives are andt should expected It can take some time so it is on better to
Industry Insights Zoran Marinkovic Partner - HR Solutions BM Management Consultancies – I.E.S.F. How
do
nationalization
programs
affect
local
companies?
“It should be a two-way street; instead of focusing on these
How is the educational system in supply chain? “Instead of focusing on proposing Business Administration degrees, universities should offer Logistics and Supply chain
programs, companies should make a real selection of
programs. Internships and trainings are not very developed in
candidates and hire only motivated ones. Newly hired
the Middle East whereas they would give a professional
employees should be provided with detailed job descriptions
exposure and experience to students. Students would be able
and expected targets. It can take some time so it is better to
to work with specialists and experts in supply chain and
start early during training and internships. New employees
logistics as well as discover the various functions of this
should gain more confidence in themselves
industry.”
this industry.”
“Instead of How focusing on do you foresee the future of supply chain manpower landscape in the Middle East?How do you foresee the Business Administration future of supply chain 03 Recruiting Supply Chain “With the increase of regional competition and because supply degrees, universities manpower landscape in specialists chain and logistics are critical in order to be able to deliver the the Middle East? Are Supply chain professionals should propose Logistics right quantity and quality of products on time and at the right more demanded compared to other “Withcan thechallenge increase the of regional cost, we need professionals who existing and Supply chain areas? What areas? Whatisisthe thetrend? trend? competition and because procedures and who are familiar with the latest technologies. has has mademade people realize that they “The world world credit creditcrunch crunch chain logistics Companies should understand supply that they needand to spend timeare to programs” should realize focus onthat their core business people they should focusand on expertise. This is the critical in order to be able to and be helped by a mentor.”
Chain than thethe realprofessionals estate or in the industry. Supply Chain thaninwhere in real estate or banking in the banking the case in Dubai
draw-up an outstanding Supply Chain cycle which can be deliver the right and quality products on time and deliver ofthe right quantity implemented in aquantity mid-term view.” at the right cost, we need professionals can challenge the quality ofwho products on time and
However, the trend the will see aChain huge demand in Supply industry. However, trend will see a huge demandChain in were less demanded in Supply than
existing procedures and whoatarethefamiliar with the right cost, we latest need
withthe new ports coming up renewed Zayed Port & Zayed Khalifa Supply Chain with new coming up like renewed in real estate or ports in like the banking
technologies. Companies shouldprofessionals understand that who they needcan to
in Khalifa Abu Dhabi, Kuwaiti with the Iraq, Port & Portthe in trend Abu port Dhabi, Kuwaiti port near industry. However, willnear see athe border
spend time to draw-up an outstanding cycle challenge Supply the Chain existing
Saudi’s Red Gateway Terminal extension, Port of border with Sea Iraq, Saudi’s Red Gateway the Terminal huge demand in Supply Chain withSea new
which can be implemented in a mid-term view.” procedures and
casecase in in Dubai were less demanded demandedinin the Dubaiwhere where professionals were their core business andprofessionals expertise. This is less
Salalah, extensions of several in Port Dubai…” extension, theup Port ofrenewed Salalah,ports extensions of several ports in ports coming like Zayed
familiar
Dubai…” & Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, Kuwaiti port
technologies.
Which positions in supply chain are near the border with Iraq, Saudi’s Red Sea the most sought? Which positions in (Procurement, supply chain Gateway theSeries Port of © 2010 B2G Terminal Copyrightextension, - Middle East sourcing,theplanning, are most warehousing, sought? Salalah, extensions of several ports in distribution, S&OP…) (Procurement, sourcing, planning,
with
who the
are latest
Companies
should understand that they need to spend time to draw-up 22 an outstanding Supply Chain