Gartner: How Agentic AI is Reshaping Supply Chain Roles

The role of AI in the supply chain has grown dramatically since 2020. Business leaders are relying on it to fill workforce gaps and boost efficiency.

In Gartner's Future of Supply Chain 2026 report, it is revealed that many supply chain leaders anticipate it will reduce the need for entry-level jobs. This redefinition of the workforce raises questions regarding headcounts and employee training.

Gartner's insights help clients make informed decisions when aiming to unlock the full potential of AI. Clients rely on these insights to leverage AI across their business.

The report looks at insights from 509 global supply chain leaders across a range of industries, taken from July to October 2025. These insights explore how leaders are approaching the use of AI within their operations.

Prioritising resilience

With ongoing geopolitical turbulence and subsequent market volatility, supply chain strategy has changed. Rather than focussing on efficiency, organisations are prioritising resilience and agility.

Instead of reacting to trends or big events, the strongest supply chains are predicting them. An ageing workforce and increasing skills gaps are changing how supply chains are made up.

Businesses are implementing AI across the chain in order to help companies meet their targets. These tools are being used to automate repetitive tasks or to predict volatility and design strategy.

“The highest performing supply chain organisations are using AI to reinvent how work gets done and how talent is developed," explains Marco Sandrone, VP Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice.

"They are not treating AI as a blunt instrument for headcount reduction. The priority for Chief Supply Chain Officers (CSCOs) should be redesigning roles, skills and workforce processes, so people and machines can create value together.”

"They are not treating AI as a blunt instrument for headcount reduction. The priority for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) should be redesigning roles, skills, and workforce processes, so people and machines can create value together.”

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Agentic AI impacts roles

As AI redefines roles, 55% of supply chain leaders anticipate that agentic AI will reduce the need for entry-level positions. Organisations will use AI to take on the tasks usually given to those entering the job sector.

Additionally, 51% of leaders believe AI will result in overall workforce reductions. Leaders cited changes driven by advancements in AI as the most influential cause for redefining strategy.

Though leaders are split on headcount impact, 86% believe agentic AI adoption will change how talent pipelines operate. There will be a requirement for new processes to nurture upcoming talent.

If entry-level jobs are redirected to AI, companies must explore how to welcome younger generations. Without a plan to build skills, leaders risk an ageing workforce and over-reliance on AI systems.

If developing talent do not have access to these entry-level roles, they have no way of entering the workforce. They will be unable to build the skills required to access higher roles.

Strategies for talent reinvention

Gartner's survey identified respondents from high-performing organisations that excelled in customer lead time and revenue growth. It explored the strategies these companies are using to drive success.

Leading respondents had a significantly higher adoption of agentic AI across procurement, production and logistics. These leaders understand that traditional talent pyramids are changing.

Rather than headcount reduction, these leaders prioritise talent strategy reinvention as the need for traditional entry-level roles reduces. High-performing leaders are prioritising specific talent strategies.

They aim to upskill talent to understand how to utilise AI and work alongside it. They also use AI-enabled tools to optimise workforce planning and engagement.

Finally, they improve efficiency by increasing the use of automation and advanced technologies. This reduces the reliance on manual labour.

“Entry-level roles as understood today may fade in importance, but supply chains will still need emerging talent that is highly adaptive and innovative,” adds Marco.

“As organisations identify new ways of working through the use of AI, they will also have an advantage in identifying and attracting the kinds of talent that will sustain these new working models, including successfully reskilling current staff to take on new, higher-value roles.”

Rather than using AI to reduce the workforce, leading businesses are instead using it to redefine the workforce and how they are utilising their employees.