Richard Marshall’s insights on New Zealand’s Supply Chain Challenges
Today’s supply chains face unprecedented pressure from political disruptions, rapid technological advancements, and the escalating impacts of climate change and infrastructure constraints. These challenges increase volatility and place greater demands on supply chain professionals
In response, NZPICS has engaged NZ Inc’s supply chain stakeholders to gather insights on how New Zealand’s supply chains and both current and aspiring professionals can successfully navigate this complex and rapidly evolving global landscape
We extend our sincere thank you to Richard Marshall – General Manager – Air New Zealand for contributing his valuable insights on how to successfully navigate the complexities of today’s rapidly evolving global supply chain environment. His insights are Predictions & Trends, Technology & Innovation, Resilience & Sustainability, Leadership & Soft Skills, Career Advice for Aspiring Supply Chain Professionals and Education & Training. His insights are Predictions & Trends, Technology & Innovation, Resilience & Sustainability, Leadership & Soft Skills, Career Advice for Aspiring Supply Chain Professionals, Education & Training.
1. Predictions & Trends
- New Zealand’s supply chains face unique challenges such as geographic isolation, limited economies of scale, Infrastructure limitations, etc. In your view, what key trends will shape supply chains over the next three years?
a. Freight costs due to global instability pushing up pricing and lack of competition as ships get bigger and we have less choice of shipping lines.
b. Talent challenges, retention issues.
c. Quality of our educational institutes and the quality of our SC educational options for University students.
2. Technology & Innovation
- In your opinion, where are New Zealand organisations / industries leading or falling behind in technology adoption (e.g., AI, blockchain, IoT, robotic process automation, or other emerging trends)?
a. The need to embrace and adopt AI
b. Digital transformation, especially as our older ERP systems become less supportable.
3. Resilience & Sustainability
- Post-COVID, what are the 2 most critical lessons New Zealand businesses may have underestimated regarding supply chain resilience—and how can they address these going forward?
a. Main concern is the pull back in investment and commitments as poorer performance of companies and economic factors impact “nice to haves”.
b. Underestimated the time to recover
c. Underestimated the cost to build resilience.
d. Underestimated the poor planning skills and systems used within NZ businesses to manage the build-up of inventory (bullwhip effect)
- Do you believe sustainability goals provide a competitive advantage, or are they primarily necessary to meet customer requirements? Or do you see them serving both roles depending on the industry?
a. Sustainability importance has decreased in some sectors.
4. Leadership & Soft Skills
- In your opinion, what do you consider the most important leadership trait/s for supply chain professionals in New Zealand’s tightly connected industry?
a. Influencing skills.
b. Leading with purpose.
c. Strategic planning for the digitisation road ahead.
d. Upskilling themselves and their teams
5. Career Advice for Aspiring Supply Chain Professionals
- Looking back, what’s one piece of career advice you wish you had received when starting out in supply chain — and what advice would you offer to those entering the profession today?
a. Keep learning and if you aren’t learning move to a company that will help you grow.
6. Education & Training
- In your assessment, which qualifications or certifications (e.g. Logistics Management, Operations Research, APICS certifications (CPIM, CSCP, SCOR-DS), CIPS, etc are most valuable for supply chain professionals to support ongoing professional development, empower companies to build agile, responsive and sustainable supply chains and secure employment?
CPIM the most valuable course
About Richard (Rich) Marshall
Rich started his working life in the Royal New Zealand Air Force where he flew and instructed on Transport planes for 15-years, including missions to Antarctica and 2-years in the Middle East and supported several global and regional operations including Somalia, East Timor, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, and numerous Cyclone Relief operations in the Pacific and South-East Asia region. He was involved in the C-130 Hercules upgrade program and the purchase of the Boeing 757 strategic transport aircraft. Postings overseas including Iran flying for the United Nations, Saudi Arabia (Gulf War), UAE (Afghanistan & Iraq), Australia, and the United States. In his last role he was the Base Commander at RNZAF Base Auckland. Rich has since had a 15-year commercial career across transport, tourism, manufacturing, and food and beverage. He has held senior Supply Chain & Procurement roles at SKYCITY, Douglas Pharmaceuticals and is currently the General Manager Supply Chain at Air New Zealand. Rich has a BBS in Management from Massey University, a Certificate in Sustainability Strategy from Cambridge University, and is a graduate of the Executive Supply Chain C-Suite programme from the University of Auckland. Rich is married to Melissa who works in HR and has two adult children who are at university studying Commerce (majoring in Supply Chain) at University of Canterbury and Commerce and Law at Sydney University.