Is It the End of Supply Chain Consultants? Maybe - But Not for Everyone.
Why Old-School Supply Chain Consultants Are Fading (And What the Future Demands)
Supply chain consulting is standing at a crossroads. Some say it's dying. Others argue it’s evolving. After analyzing Felipe Hernandez’s provocative LinkedIn post and the wide range of comments it sparked, one thing is clear: the old consultant is on the way out, but the new consultant has never been more needed.
Let's dig into why – and what it means for the future of supply chain consulting.
The Death of the Dinosaur Consultant
Felipe put it bluntly:
Consultants relying on 20-year-old playbooks are fading.
Those clinging to Excel and manual processes? Outpaced.
Copy-paste strategies without understanding business realities? Obsolete.
And most commenters agreed.
Hisham Serry nailed it: "Consultants who just copy what's in a book could easily be replaced by AI."
In today's world, "knowing" old frameworks isn't enough. Clients don't need theoretical lectures – they need practical impact.
If you’re still using outdated methods, tech is sprinting ahead, and AI might beat you at your own game. Consultants must offer real experience, innovation, and tailored solutions – otherwise, they risk becoming irrelevant.
Survival of the Fittest: What the New Supply Chain Consultant Looks Like
Felipe and others weren’t predicting extinction – they were describing evolution.
Tomorrow’s supply chain consultants are:
Data-driven: No data, no decisions. Guesswork is dead.
Tech-integrated: Drone-based inventories, AI forecasting, digital twins – this isn't sci-fi. As Mhamed Saoudi wrote, "These aren’t tomorrow’s tools; they are today’s reality."
Strategic thinkers: It's no longer about checking a box. It’s about impacting EBITDA, inventory turns, and profitability.
Human-centric: Soft skills like empathy, listening, and trust-building are more critical than ever, as Nawal Zaazoua reminded us.
In short:
The consultant who blends technical mastery, business acumen, and human connection will thrive. The one who clings to spreadsheets and generic strategies won’t.
Tech Is Non-Negotiable – But It’s Not Enough
Many agreed with Felipe: technology is the new baseline.
But an important nuance came from multiple commenters – including Colten Sunseri and Nawal Zaazoua: People still matter.
Sunseri summed it up beautifully:
"No matter how advanced tech gets, real-world context and trust still matter. You can’t get insight from a dashboard alone."
In fact, the best consultants will be those who translate technology into real business outcomes. It's not just about having digital tools – it's about understanding how they fit into the messy, imperfect realities of global supply chains.
If tech is the backbone, then human insight is the nervous system.
Real-World Examples: When Low-Tech Becomes High-Risk
Several commenters provided powerful real-life examples illustrating why old-school thinking no longer cuts it.
Jill Button shared how a $5 part once threatened to shut down an entire GM assembly line, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per hour. Small dollar value, massive operational risk.
Joël Collin-Demers pointed out how inexpensive SaaS solutions can expose companies to huge risks if not properly vetted by procurement.
Kyle Asay warned that cheap or "free" solutions often end up being very expensive mistakes over time, sometimes even costing executives their jobs.
Lesson?
Risk is not proportional to cost.
Consultants must look deeper than just the price tag – and companies must stop using cost as the only engagement filter.
The Emotional Side of Change: Fear, Adaptation, and Reinvention
Not everyone commented with optimism.
Francisco Javier P. shared his personal worry: after 12 years in procurement and logistics consulting, he feels there's "nowhere to go."
It’s a raw reminder that transitions are tough. But Felipe’s response was encouraging:
"Your knowledge is still incredibly valuable. You just have to adapt it to data, tech, and strategy."
Consulting isn’t disappearing. It's just demanding reinvention.
The message was clear: Those willing to learn, evolve, and build new muscles will not only survive but thrive.
AI and Automation: Friend or Foe?
One commenter, David J (Joe) Armstrong, posed an interesting meta-question:
"Was this post written by AI? It feels formulaic."
It’s a subtle but important point: AI can now mimic the format of good advice.
But can it mimic the depth of real supply chain experience? Can it walk a warehouse, feel the tension of a missed shipment, or navigate a supplier crisis?
Technology is a tool – not a replacement.
Consultants who hide behind AI without real-world expertise will fade. Those who use AI to enhance their knowledge and delivery will become indispensable.
Reframing the Consultant's Role: From Method Peddler to Business Partner
Ultimately, the shift happening is not about tools – it’s about role and mindset.
Nawal Zaazoua highlighted a crucial insight:
"The supply chain is not just about methods or data. It’s about collaboration, mutual understanding, and building strong relationships."
Consultants must stop seeing themselves as "method experts" and start seeing themselves as:
Strategic partners.
Value generators.
Change catalysts.
This requires combining technical skills, emotional intelligence, and business ownership.
The consultant of tomorrow asks: How does this decision impact your customers, your cash flow, your competitive advantage?
Not: Did you check the box?
The Future Consultant's Playbook: Key Skills Needed
If you want to thrive in this new era, here's the new skillset you’ll need, according to the discussion:
Advanced Data Literacy: Know how to interpret analytics and make data-based recommendations.
Tech Fluency: Understand AI, blockchain, IoT, and digital twins – not just as buzzwords but as operational tools.
Strategic Thinking: Connect supply chain moves to financial outcomes.
Empathy and Soft Skills: Build trust with clients and teams.
Adaptability: Be ready to reinvent yourself again…and again.
In short:
Forget "templates" and "best practices" from 1999.
Be a builder, not just a checker.
A Hard Truth: Some Won’t Make It
This might sound harsh, but it’s true.
Not everyone will survive this transition.
Those who refuse to:
Upgrade their skills,
Embrace tech,
Change their consulting approach,
Or understand the human side of change...
…will find themselves increasingly irrelevant.
Clients today don't want “more of the same.”
They want better, faster, more connected solutions that actually move the needle.
Final Reflection: Are You a Consultant from the Past or a Partner for the Future?
The fundamental question Felipe posed still lingers:
Are you working with consultants from the past, or partners for the future?
Better yet: Which one are you becoming?
If you’re clinging to old methods, hoping reputation alone will carry you – the clock is ticking.
But if you're blending tech, human skills, and strategy to create real business impact – congratulations, you're the future.
Supply chain consulting isn’t dying.
It’s being reborn.
And frankly, that’s exciting.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for the New Generation of Consultants
The supply chain world is moving faster than ever.
If you’re in consulting, you have a choice:
Complain about the change.
Or evolve into the kind of expert the world now needs.
The choice is yours.
The opportunity is enormous – for those who are willing to rethink, retool, and reimagine what a great consultant looks like.
Challenge yourself:
Are you adding value or clinging to old playbooks?
Are you integrating data and tech, or resisting it?
Are you building human trust and real solutions, or hiding behind fancy jargon?
The future is coming fast.
Better be ready – or be left behind.
If you found this reflection helpful, share it with your network. Let’s keep pushing the conversation forward. And I'd love to hear your perspective: What skills do YOU think the next-generation consultant must master? Drop your thoughts below!
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