If the recent pandemic has made anything clear, it is that supply chain professionals are essential to the well-being of the economy. But in the recent past, the labor market has not done a good job keeping up with the need for supply chain talent.

This recognition lies at the root of a new charitable foundation, known as the CSCMP Talent Center, which is focused on raising awareness about the supply chain profession and providing financial assistance for those pursuing a career in the field. 

While the 501C3 nonprofit organization has “CSCMP” as part of its name, it is separate from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). The concept for the nonprofit did, however, originate from CSCMP. CSCMP President and CEO Rick Blasgen and Chief Financial Officer Tony Poidomani, as well as several board members, have been integral in launching the Center and guiding it forward.

“They are passionate about the career path that they took and are now looking to help create a legacy by facilitating more people—and more different kinds of people—to enter the field,” explains Lauren Fleming, a development specialist who is heading up the Talent Center.

The Talent Center is currently in phase one of its funding efforts and is looking to raise an initial $50,000 to get the program off the ground. Over $21,000 has already been raised.

The mission of the Talent Center is to “find, invest in, and secure committed talent for the supply chain management profession.” The organization is focused on four main areas: 

1. Awareness: The organization will seek to increase awareness of supply chain careers to nontraditional and diverse audiences, including prospective students, veterans, women, and low-income communities.
2. Career development: The Center will help provide supply chain professionals with a path to educational opportunities, internships, mentorships, and event experiences 
3. Financial assistance: The Talent Center will help provide funding to ensure that financial constraints don’t keep supply chain professionals from investing in their skills.
4. Research: The Talent Center will invest in thought leadership about the challenges and opportunities facing the supply chain profession, the incoming and developing labor force, and evolving educational requirements and trends.

Fleming stresses that the Center will not be another charity focused on programming. Instead it will serve as “a financial conduit” that will work with already existing programs. In other words, the Talent Center will not be awarding its own scholarships; for example, instead it will be helping to fund already existing scholarships and raise awareness about their existence. 

In its first 10 years, the CSCMP Talent Center hopes to accomplish the following:

• Raise $5 million
• Find and recruit 10,000 new people for the profession 
• Provide financial investment support to over 3,000 growing leaders 
• Research and draft 20 white papers relevant to the supply chain career and its professionals 

There are several ways that current supply chain professionals, who are interested in participating in the organization, can help:

• Make a donation: There are a number of ways that those interested in supporting the Talent Center can contribute funds.
• Become a corporate member or founding member: These individuals and organizations will have the opportunity to help guide the direction of the organization going forward and be associated with the organization in perpetuity.
• Volunteer: Supply chain professionals may be who are interested in participating in outreach and education efforts about the profession such as speaking to a class or hosting a factory or distribution center tour, should contact the Talent Center here.
• Promote the Talent Center on your website or via social media.

The CSCMP Talent Center plans to use this year’s CSCMP EDGE Supply Chain Conference and Exhibition in September as a “coming out party,” according to Fleming. The Center and its efforts will be promoted and given high visibility during conference events. 

Further questions about the CSCMP Talent Center can be directed to Lauren Fleming at lauren@lf-co.com.