Communications of the ACM
Robots Help Recruit Tech-Savvy Workers
Greater automation in Amazon's logistics network expanded the company's pipeline of engineers and other technology workers.
Credit: Agence France-Presse
Some companies see automation as helping them onboard technology-savvy employees for logistics operations as they work to reduce headcount, lower costs, and increase the efficiency of distribution networks. Manufacturers and retailers say their investments in robots are transforming their supply-chain workforces.
For example, Sandra MacQuillan, executive vice president and chief supply-chain officer at Mondelez International, says the snack-food behemoth is seeing more professionals interested in efforts to build touchless distribution centers and plants, and in online monitoring systems that make manual production adjustment unnecessary. MacQuillan expects the upgrades will eliminate certain warehouse-floor jobs, while shifting away from physically demanding work of moving goods through distribution centers toward positions in technology management.
Lee Beard, senior vice president of transportation at Nordstrom, says technology investments at the department store chain are an enticement for recruits, especially those who "want to work on really compelling things where they see business impact."
From The Wall Street Journal
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