592: Supply Chain Talent Is the Competitive Edge in 2025
Kevin chats with Camp Jennings, co-founder of Henry North, a new search firm laser-focused on supply chain talent. After nearly a decade in sales and leadership at a Raymond dealership, Camp saw firsthand how much impact the right people make. That realization led to Henry North, a company built by industry insiders to help suppliers attract, hire, and retain the talent needed to keep up with today’s evolving logistics landscape. In this episode, Camp shares what’s driving change in hiring, how warehouse professionals can transition to the solution-provider side, and why 2025 is poised to be a significant year for career growth and recruiting.
Supply Chain Talent Is Evolving Fast
The warehouse and logistics industry has changed. Companies once focused solely on lift trucks, but now want to be seen as advanced system integrators, meaning they need different kinds of talent. “The type and level and scope of talent that these organizations can find themselves looking to attract today, it’s much, much different than it was nine or 10 years ago when I started,” says Camp.
The issue isn’t just the talent itself. It’s how companies position themselves to attract it. “A Georgia Tech engineer with loads of charisma, he doesn’t want to go tell his friends that he’s joining a forklift company. He wants to tell his buddies that he’s joining a systems integration organization that is driving industrial automation,” he explains. Many companies haven’t updated their messaging or employer brand to match this new reality, and Henry North is stepping in to help them do just that.
How End-User Experience Can Open New Doors
Many operations leaders don’t realize their experience is extremely valuable on the supplier side of the industry. Camp says this transition happens less than it should, even though these individuals understand customer needs better than most. “The value that someone who is working on the end user side can bring to the supplier side… It’s just so profound,” he explains.
For those with engineering or operations leadership backgrounds in warehousing, shifting into a solution provider role, especially in sales, design, or technical consulting, can be a great fit. “Maybe you’re in an engineering title or an ops leader title. If getting out of the warehouse space… is enticing, I would strongly encourage you to consider making a leap into one of the organizations that was supplying you,” Camp says. Their ability to speak the customer’s language and understand pain points is a valuable asset in today’s increasingly complex solution-selling environment.
Why the Supply Chain Talent Market Will Heat Up in 2025
After a cautious 2024, hiring looks to surge in 2025. Camp believes many companies have delayed automation and modernization projects, but are now ready to spend. “Organizations are pent up and ready to spend money on projects that they have been researching and considering for a year or two,” he says. This pressures suppliers to hire quickly, especially if they cut back during the slowdown. “They’re going to be making a mad dash to attract the best of the best talent that’s available,” Camp adds.
Companies that retained staff through 2024 are better positioned to win big, but others may struggle to catch up. That makes strong recruiting partnerships even more critical in the months ahead. Henry North’s insider perspective helps suppliers find candidates who understand the space, and helps job seekers evaluate opportunities that align with their long-term goals. “Far more importantly… it’s who am I going to join? Do their values align with mine?” Camp reminds us.
Key Takeaways on Supply Chain Talent
- Modern supply chain talent wants to work for innovators, not legacy forklift dealers.
- End-user professionals can bring immense value to supplier-side roles.
- Job titles are becoming more technical.
- Companies that didn’t cut talent in 2024 are better positioned to grow in 2025.
- Recruiting today is more than job placement: branding, positioning, and deep relationship-building.
Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments.
Guest Information
For more information on Henry North, click here.
To connect with Camp on LinkedIn, click here.
Email Camp at camp@henrynorth.com
For more information about supply chain talent, check out the podcasts below.
WERC 2025: Leading with Vision in Warehousing
