As global trade tariffs become more complex, companies are under pressure to quickly prepare their teams and business for upcoming changes. While trying to grasp the impact on their business operations and supply chains, organizations are also assessing their workforce to ensure they have the necessary staff to weather these changes.
Aston Carter experts Lauren DeMarco and Jessica Berroth explore the impact of recent tariff changes on business operations, strategies businesses are using to proactively navigate these changes, and how bringing in specialized contract talent and interim resources with tariff experience can help minimize disruption amid the evolving tariff landscape.
What are some of the common challenges companies are facing due to the recent tariff changes?
Berroth shared that supply chain and procurement teams are the first to really be feeling the direct impact of the changing tariffs, especially in sectors like manufacturing, retail and technology. These companies are grappling with not only understanding how to adjust their sourcing strategies amid the changes but figuring out new ways to manage their import costs.
However, the effects of tariffs extend beyond supply chain and procurement teams. Finance teams are also starting to feel pressure to deliver faster, more strategic insights around cost forecasting and risks, DeMarco noted.
Accounting teams are having to dive into the data to be ready to report on the financial impact of the changes to organizations’ bottom line and arming business leaders with actionable insight and analysis to help inform future decisions.
What roles and skill sets are in highest demand?
To help navigate the regulatory updates and keep supply chains moving, more companies are looking for specialized talent to weather the tariff changes, Berroth said. Positions such as trade compliance specialists, financial analysts, accountants and sourcing experts are in increasingly high demand. These roles are essential for helping to navigate the different regulatory changes and keeping supply chains moving.
DeMarco added that on the finance and accounting side, tariffs are already reshaping how companies are approaching financial planning, modeling and pricing. To support these changes, there has been an uptick for roles like cost accountants, pricing analysts and data analysts, in addition to generalized accounting and compliance roles. These roles will be essential for enabling companies to understand the financial impact of the tariffs and empowering them with the data and analysis they need to figure out the best future decisions for their business.
What should companies consider when it comes to workforce planning?
“Playing it safe can actually hold companies back,” Berroth said. Organizations must stay proactive around hiring skilled talent to help navigate the tariff changes or they risk stunting their ability to be agile in the future.
“It’s so important to assess where the skills gaps are and start preparing teams now before the next wave of disruption hits,” DeMarco said.
Bringing in interim resources or leveraging contingent staffing provide companies with a flexible option to help navigate disruption and ensure they have the support they need, quickly. These models are particularly useful for organizations facing hiring freezes for permanent roles or those testing new strategies while waiting for regulatory clarity.
“It allows companies to bring in specialized professionals quickly to manage volatility and keep things moving,” DeMarco said.
How can Aston Carter help companies respond to the evolving tariff landscape?
Aston Carter is ready to assist your team in moving swiftly and strategically during these uncertain times. We offer quick-turn access to top supply chain, procurement, finance and accounting talent who possess specialized knowledge and experience required to manage tariff-related volatility. Our talent solutions are built for agility, giving you the flexibility to add needed capacity and scale your team without delay.
Contact Aston Carter today to discuss how contract talent can support your urgent workforce needs as the tariff economy continues to evolve.
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