MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES IN SUPPLY CHAINS FOR INDUSTRY 5.0

The purpose of this article is to identify the key managerial competencies necessary for supply chain management in the context of Industry 5.0.The study attempts to identify which skills are particularly important for leaders in the medical device manufacturing sector under conditions of digital and organizational transformation.Research methodology: the study used a diagnostic survey method, based on a CAWI questionnaire, addressed to a purposively selected sample of 34 senior managers -including logistics and purchasing directors and business owners from Polish and foreign markets.A three-level Likert scale was used to assess competencies.Results: Problem solving was considered the most important managerial competencyindicated in unison by the majority of respondents from both groups.Creativity, balanced thinking, clear communication and creating an open work environment were also highly rated.Slight differences were also revealed between domestic and foreign respondents in such competencies as decision-making and delegating tasks in a digital environment.Research limitations/implications: A limitation of the study is the small and non-random survey sample resulting from the purposive selection of respondents.The results can form the basis for further quantitative research and in-depth qualitative analysis, as well as cross-industry and cross-cultural comparisons.Practical implications: The findings can serve as a guideline for HR departments and talent development managers when planning strategies for training, reskilling and upskilling executives in digital supply chains.The identified competencies should be integrated into HR management policies.Social implications: the study underscores the importance of social and emotional competence in the era of digitization, supporting the human-centric approach of Industry 5.0.This can contribute to building a more empathetic and sustainable work environment.Originality/value: The article brings a new perspective to the literature on competency management in the context of Industry 5.0, focusing on the practical insights of leaders in the medical device manufacturing sector.It provides value to researchers, management practitioners and HR policy designers.