The integration of advanced technical skills and supply chain management (SCM) tools is critical for the evolving demands of agribusiness. This study identifies the technical competencies, software proficiencies, and educational strategies essential for preparing students to excel in modern SCM roles. Through semi-structured interviews with 26 SCM professionals across US agribusiness sectors, the study highlights the demand for expertise in tools such as SAP, Power BI, and SQL alongside capabilities in data-driven decision-making and adaptability. Despite theoretical preparation, graduates often lack practical experience with industry-standard technologies, underscoring a gap in academic curricula. The findings suggest that agribusiness programs should emphasize hands-on training with software, interdisciplinary approaches, and collaboration with industry stakeholders to bridge this gap. This approach ensures graduates are equipped to enhance efficiency and innovation across agribusiness supply chains, addressing challenges in demand planning, production scheduling, and procurement. The research advocates for an educational paradigm that aligns with the dynamic needs of agribusiness, fostering both technical expertise and soft skills to prepare future SCM professionals for a rapidly advancing industry.

Christopher, M., and M. Holweg. 2011. “’Supply Chain 2.0’: Managing Supply Chains in the Era of Turbulence.” International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management 41(1):63–82. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600031111101439

Creswell, J.W., and C.N. Poth. 2018. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th. ed. California: SAGE.

Curkovic, S., and N. Fernandez. 2016. “Closing the Gap in Undergraduate Supply Chain Education Through Live Experiential Learning.” American Journal of Industrial and Business Management 6(06):697. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajibm.2016.66064

Dicicco-Bloom, B., and B.F. Crabtree. 2006. “The Qualitative Research Interview.” Medical Education 40(4):314–321. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2006.02418.x

Esper, T.L., C.C. Defee, and J.T. Mentzer. 2010. “A Framework of Supply Chain Orientation.” International Journal of Logistics Management 21(2):161–179. https://doi.org/10.1108/09574091011071906

Gammelgaard, B., and P.D. Larson. 2001. “Logistics Skills and Competencies for Supply Chain Management.” Journal of Business Logistics 22(2):27–50. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2158-1592.2001.tb00002.x

Ganeshkumar, C., P. Murugaiyan, and G.J.I.I.M Madanmohan. 2017. “Agri-food Supply Chain Management: Literature Review.” Intelligent Information Management 9:68–96. https://doi.org/10.4236/iim.2017.92004

Gillespie, J.M., and M. Bampasidou. 2018. “Designing Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Programs.” Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 50(3):319–348. https://doi.org/10.1017/aae.2017.36

Giunipero, L.C., R.E. Hooker, and D. Denslow. 2012. “Purchasing and Supply Management Sustainability: Drivers and Barriers.” Journal of Purchasing & Supply Management 18(3):258–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2012.06.003

Ivanov, D., and A. Dolgui. 2021. “A Digital Supply Chain Twin for Managing the Disruption Risks and Resilience in the Era of Industry 4.0.” Production Planning & Control 32(9):775–788. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1768450

John Deere. 2022. “John Deere Sustainability Report.” Retrieved from https://www.deere.com/assets/pdfs/common/our-company/sustainability/sustainability-report-2022.pdf

Jordan, C., and O. Bak. 2016. “The Growing Scale and Scope of the Supply Chain: A Reflection on Supply Chain Graduate Skills.” Supply Chain Management: An International Journal 21(5):610–626. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-02-2016-0059

Litzenberg, K.K., and V.E. Schneider. 1987. “Competencies and Qualities of Agricultural Economics Graduates Sought by Agribusiness Employers.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics 69(5):1031–1036. https://doi.org/10.2307/1242255

Loy, R., L.L. Britton, and T. Malone. 2024. “Software Solutions in Agri-Food Supply Chains: A Current View for Sustainability Reporting.” International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 27(4):729–744. https://doi.org/10.22434/ifam.1085

Luthra, S., and S.K. Mangla. 2018. “Evaluating Challenges to Industry 4.0 Initiatives for Supply Chain Sustainability in Emerging Economies.” Process Safety and Environmental Protection 117:168–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2018.04.018

Mikhail, N. 2018. “Tomorrow’s CEOs Will Come from an Unlikely Place: The Supply Chain.” Fortune Magazine, December 11. Retrieved from https://fortune.com/2018/12/11/ceo-supply-chain/.

Norwood, F. B., J.L. Lusk, D.S. Peel, and J.M. Riley. 2022. Agricultural Marketing and Price Analysis, 2nd. ed. Illinois: Waveland Press.

Oyedijo, A., S. Kusi-Sarpong, M.S. Mubarik, S.A. Khan, and K. Utulu. 2024. “Multi-tier Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Case Study of Global Food Retailer.” Supply Chain Management 29(1):68–97. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-05-2022-0205

Pagell, M., and Z. Wu. 2009. “Building a More Complete Theory of Sustainable Supply Chain Management Using Case Studies of 10 Exemplars.” Journal of Supply Chain Management 45(2):37–56. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-493X.2009.03162.x

Prajogo, D., and A. Sohal. 2013. “Supply Chain Professionals: A Study of Competencies, Use of Technologies, and Future Challenges.” International Journal of Operations & Production Management 33(11/12):1532–1554. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-08-2010-0228

Plastics Today. 2010. “Steinwall Inc. Named John Deere Supplier of the Year.” Plastics Today, March 12. Retrieved from https://www.plasticstoday.com/plastics-processing/steinwall-inc-named-john-deere-supplier-of-the-year.

Raffington, A., and A. Joseph. 2024. “A Qualitative Investigation into Agricultural Industry Supply Chain Efficiency During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” International Journal of Current Research in Science and Technology 10(03):18–31.

Rahman, S., and N. Qing. 2014. “Graduate Students’ Perceptions of Supply Chain Skills for Supply Chain Managers.” Benchmarking: An International Journal 21(2):276–299. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-01-2012-0002

Saberi, S., M. Kouhizadeh, J. Sarkis, and L. Shen. 2019. “Blockchain Technology and Its Relationships to Sustainable Supply Chain Management.” International Journal of Production Research 57(7):2117–2135. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1533261

Saunders, M.N.K., P. Lewis, and A. Thornhill. 2015. Research Methods for Business Students, 7th. ed. United Kingdom: Pearson Education Limited.

Tatham, P., Y. Wu, G. Kovács, and T. Butcher. 2017. “Supply Chain Management Skills to Sense and Seize Opportunities.” International Journal of Logistics Management 28(2):266–289. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-04-2014-0066

The Economist. 2023. “German companies fret about a new supply-chain law.” The Economist, January 12. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/business/2023/01/12/german-companies-fret-about-a-new-supply-chain-law?utm_campaign=shared_article.  

Tsolakis, N. K., C.A. Keramydas, A.K. Toka, D.A. Aidonis, and E.T. Iakovou. 2014. “Agrifood Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Hierarchical Decision-Making Framework and a Critical Taxonomy.” Biosystems Engineering 120:47–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2013.10.014

Walden, J. 2020. “Supply Chain Management Systems and Curriculum Reviews: What Are We Teaching About Supply Chain Management Systems? Do We Need to Modify Our Curriculums?” International Journal of Contemporary Education 3(2):1–10. https://doi.org/10.11114/ijce.v3i2.4861 

Zhao, G., S. Liu, C. Lopez, H. Chen, H. Lu, S.K. Mangla, and S. Elgueta. 2020. “Risk Analysis of the Agri-food Supply Chain: A Multi-method Approach.” International Journal of Production Research 58(16):4851–4876. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2020.1725684