When supply chain leaders think about risk, they often focus on materials, transportation, or vendor reliability. But there’s a growing realization among forward-thinking CSCOs:
Your biggest operational risk might be your labor strategy.
In an era of rising disruption—whether from global conflict, economic shifts, or workforce volatility—an unstable labor force can paralyze even the most well-oiled supply chain.
Most Risk Strategies Ignore Labor
According to a recent McKinsey report, 92% of supply chain leaders plan to make their networks more resilient over the next three years. But while supplier diversification and inventory buffers are common strategies, labor planning rarely gets the same level of attention.
That’s a mistake.
Here’s what we’re seeing in real operations:
Unfilled warehouse positions delaying fulfillment by days or weeks
Over-reliance on overtime burning out full-time teams
No contingency plan for labor disruptions due to weather, illness, or turnover
Inconsistent staffing levels causing missed KPIs and customer complaints
And in many cases, labor disruptions are compounding other risks—turning a manageable delay into a full-blown supply chain failure.
The Role of the CSCO Is Changing—So Must the Labor Strategy
Today’s CSCO isn’t just a logistics coordinator. They’re a risk manager, a technology strategist, and a workforce architect. Labor can no longer be viewed as a static resource—it’s a strategic lever that must flex and perform under pressure.
The stakes are high. Research from Deloitte shows that 58% of supply chain disruptions in the past 12 months were tied directly to workforce instability—not suppliers or transportation.
If labor isn’t part of your risk strategy, your resilience plan has a blind spot.
A Resilient Workforce Starts with the Right Partner
At FHI, we help CSCOs eliminate labor as a single point of failure by delivering a fully managed, scalable, and performance-driven workforce solution.
Here’s how we build resilience into your operations:
Shift-ready labor teams that scale up or down with your demand
Onsite management that enforces safety, training, and performance standards
Cross-trained associates for role coverage during callouts or spikes
Real-time labor performance data through FHI INSITE for visibility and fast decision-making
Whether you’re managing a seasonal surge or preparing for unforeseen disruption, our teams are built to flex—without sacrificing consistency or control.
Integrate Labor Into Your Supply Chain Risk Strategy
1. Schedule a Workforce Resilience Consultation
We’ll review your labor gaps, risk areas, and current contingency plans.
2. Receive a custom resilience framework
This includes staffing models, leadership support, and training programs designed for stability.
3. Deploy a labor team that strengthens—not weakens—your operation
From daily output to disaster recovery, we’re built for what’s next.
Confidence in Every Shift—No Matter What Comes Next
When labor becomes part of your supply chain risk strategy, you reduce downtime, meet demand more consistently, and protect the reputation you’ve worked hard to build.
Don’t let workforce gaps be the hidden risk in your supply chain strategy.
Resilience starts at the ground level. Let’s build a labor model that’s ready for anything.
Schedule your complimentary Workforce Resilience Consultation today.