Building Supply Chain Teams for Nearshoring

Hiring strategies for companies shifting to nearshoring in supply chain are now a core execution issue in 2026. As supply chains move away from extended global networks toward regional operating models, the limiting factor is no longer network design alone. It is who runs the network. 

Nearshoring reduces exposure to long transit routes and distant decision making. But without the right supply chain talent in place, it creates execution gaps, slower stabilization, and higher operating risk. Companies that hire with intent gain control, continuity, and long-term performance. 

Why nearshoring matters now 

Extended global supply chains remain exposed to disruption from tariffs, regulatory complexity, and geopolitical instability. Long lead times and centralized decision- making slow response when demand or supply conditions shift. Nearshoring shortens the distance between suppliers, manufacturing sites, and customers, allowing faster intervention and tighter operational control. 

This shift is supported by current market data. QIMA’s sourcing and supply chain barometer shows that nearly half of U.S. companies plan to increase nearshoring volumes, particularly across Latin America, as they work to reduce tariff exposure and protect supply continuity. 

Companies are also changing how they measure success. Bain & Company notes that nearshoring decisions are now evaluated primarily through a resilience and risk lens rather than cost alone. Predictability, service levels, and recovery speed now outweigh marginal unit cost differences. 

Examples of companies that have nearshored supply chains 

Many global organizations are adapting their supply chain footprints to reduce risk, improve responsiveness, and operate closer to core markets. These examples show how nearshoring plays out in practice: 

Nike has diversified its manufacturing base by increasing production in Central America and Mexico to respond more quickly to North American market demand and reduce exposure to distant supply networks.  

Apple and Nvidia are shifting critical manufacturing and assembly toward regional hubs, moving beyond cost-led relocation to build performance and resilience into their supply chains. Apple is investing in regional manufacturing facilities, and Nvidia’s partner Foxconn is constructing significant production capacity in Mexico to support AI and hardware assembly closer to major markets. 

Talent constraints are shaping nearshored supply chains 

Network redesign fails without capable people to run regional operations. Industry research published in 2025 shows that workforce shortages remain one of the most persistent constraints on supply chain transformation, particularly across planning, logistics, procurement, and operational leadership roles. 

As decision making moves closer to execution, demand has increased for professionals who can manage complexity in real time. Many organizations report that gaps in experienced supply chain talent are delaying nearshoring initiatives and slowing the stabilization of new regional networks. 

These shortages have direct operational consequences. Decisions that were once escalated to global teams now sit with regional leaders. Supply chains become more dependent on individual judgment, local knowledge, and cross-functional coordination. When the right talent is missing, nearshored networks experience slower decision cycles, inconsistent supplier performance, and weaker service levels. 

What we are seeing at DSJ Global 

At DSJ Global, a consistent pattern has emerged across nearshoring programs. Responsibility is shifting closer to the region, and expectations for local decision making are rising across all supply chain functions. 

Demand has increased for network strategy and supply chain design professionals who can balance cost, lead time, and risk at a regional level. In procurement, companies are prioritizing candidates with experience onboarding and developing regional suppliers, not just managing large global contracts. 

Logistics and transportation roles have become more localized. Hands-on experience with cross-border movement, customs processes, and regional infrastructure is now essential. Operations and manufacturing leaders are expected to stabilize nearshored production quickly while managing labor availability and quality standards under pressure. 

Quality, compliance, and risk roles have also gained importance as companies operate across multiple jurisdictions. What connects all of these roles is regional leadership. Organizations are hiring supply chain leaders who can unify procurement, logistics, and operations and take ownership of performance across nearshored networks. 

Hiring strategies aligned to nearshored supply chains 

Hiring for nearshored supply chains requires clear decision ownership. Companies that define which supply chain decisions remain centralized and which move to the region execute faster and with fewer handoffs. This clarity shapes role scope, accountability, and speed of execution. 

Experience managing regional or multi-site supply chains consistently translates better than experience managing global scale alone. Candidates who have navigated supplier transitions, customs complexity, capacity constraints, or demand volatility adapt faster and require less escalation. These profiles shorten stabilization timelines and reduce operational risk. 

Local hiring also plays a decisive role. Regional professionals bring market knowledge, regulatory familiarity, and existing supplier and logistics networks that are difficult to replicate through relocation. Assessment methods that reflect real operating conditions, such as scenario-based interviews, lead to more reliable hires and stronger performance under pressure. 

This is typically the point where timelines begin to slip. Companies understand what is required, but struggle to execute hiring decisions while nearshoring programs are already in motion. 

How DSJ supports nearshoring execution 

We partner with companies as they design and scale nearshored supply chains, translating strategy into hiring decisions that support real-world execution. We place supply chain professionals with proven regional and functional expertise who can operate effectively in decentralized, high-pressure environments. Our focus spans procurement, logistics, planning, manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain leadership. 

We provide reach across key nearshore markets, while our sector specialization ensures candidates are assessed by consultants who understand supply chain execution, not just job titles. In most cases, our work begins with a focused conversation. Clients use this to test role design, understand regional talent availability, and align hiring timelines with operational milestones. That early clarity helps avoid mis-hires and delays once nearshored operations go live. 

If you are planning a nearshoring move or struggling to hire supply chain talent with the right regional experience, request a call back today to discuss how DSJ Global can support your hiring strategy.