Demand for supply chain roles requiring AI skills has increased 387% from 1Q23 to 1Q26, significantly outpacing overall labor market growth and intensifying competition for qualified talent, according to Gartner, Inc.
“The demand for AI skills in supply chain is accelerating at a rate that far exceeds the broader labor market, creating a widening talent gap that organizations cannot close through hiring alone,” says Tess Frenzel, director analyst in Gartner’s supply chain practice.
Key takeaways:
· Analysts found that demand for supply chains jobs requiring AI skills are growing faster than the growth rate for all job postings requiring AI skills across industries.
· High demand for AI skills in supply chain is increasing competition for a limited pool of qualified candidates, contributing to higher costs, and longer hiring timelines for roles that require both supply chain expertise and AI proficiency.
· The analysis also shows that demand for AI skills is currently concentrated at the mid-senior level, which accounts for 58% of roles requiring these capabilities. Director-level roles are similarly overrepresented, reflecting the need for experienced professionals who can apply AI effectively within complex supply chain environments. This concentration highlights the importance of combining domain expertise with AI capabilities to drive successful adoption and governance.
