Demand for AI-skilled supply chain workers up nearly 400 per cent as talent gap widens: Gartner

Demand for supply chain roles requiring artificial intelligence skills has surged 387 per cent from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2026, sharply outpacing broader labour market growth and intensifying competition for qualified workers, according to new data from Gartner, Inc.

“The demand for AI skills in supply chain is accelerating at a rate that far exceeds the broader labour market, creating a widening talent gap that organizations cannot close through hiring alone,” said Tess Frenzel, director analyst in Gartner’s supply chain practice.

Gartner analysed more than 35 million job postings between Q1 2023 and Q1 2026, including nearly 600,000 supply chain roles. It found demand for supply chain jobs requiring AI skills is growing faster than overall AI-related job postings across industries.

The research indicates the growing scarcity of qualified candidates is driving higher hiring costs and longer recruitment timelines for roles requiring both supply chain expertise and AI proficiency.

Demand for AI skills is concentrated in more senior roles, with mid- to senior-level positions accounting for 58 per cent of jobs requiring these capabilities. Director-level roles are also overrepresented, reflecting employer demand for experienced professionals capable of applying AI within complex supply chain environments.

Gartner said the trend underscores the need for both domain expertise and AI proficiency as organizations pursue automation and advanced analytics in logistics and operations.

Previous Gartner research has pointed to the need for chief supply chain officers to build “autonomous-ready” workforces, with more flexible roles that help guide and improve AI systems.

The company recommends that organizations prioritize internal upskilling and make greater use of entry-level talent to build long-term AI capability pipelines, noting that entry-level roles remain underrepresented in AI-heavy supply chain hiring despite their potential.

“CSCOs should take a balanced approach by accelerating internal upskilling and more effectively leveraging entry-level talent to build a sustainable pipeline of AI capabilities,” said Frenzel. “Organizations that invest in both experienced professionals and emerging talent will be better positioned to scale AI adoption and prepare their workforce for the future of supply chain.”