In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the supply chain industry as more and more women are choosing careers in this traditionally male-dominated field. This rise of women in the supply chain is not only breaking gender barriers but also bringing a fresh perspective and new ideas to the table.
With a focus on diversity and inclusion, SCMDOJO is proud to highlight the increasing presence of women in the supply chain industry. Our SCMDOJO women, Shimon Gowda, Dyci Sfregola, Vera Rozanova, Janice Marquardt, Maryna Trepova, Francine Nielander, and more are contributing to the supply chain industry with their expertise. Continue reading to the next section to learn more about them.
The growing number of women in supply chain roles is a testament to their skills, expertise, and determination. Through their knowledge of logistics, operations, and strategic planning, women are forging successful careers and making a substantial impact on this sector.
As we explore the rise of women in supply chain careers, we salute their valuable contributions to our industry. Stay tuned to explore the exciting rise of women in supply chain careers.
Challenges Faced by Women in Supply Chain
Lack of Representation:
Despite the progress made in promoting gender diversity, women in the supply chain still encounter various challenges in their career journeys. One of the primary obstacles is the lack of representation in leadership positions, limiting their visibility and opportunities for advancement. Additionally, women often face unconscious bias and stereotypes that can hinder their professional growth and recognition for their contributions to the industry.
Work-Life Balance:
Another challenge for women in the supply chain is the need to balance work and family responsibilities. The demanding nature of supply chain roles, with tight deadlines and long hours, can make it challenging for women to juggle their careers with personal commitments. This work-life balance issue can impact their career progression and overall job satisfaction, highlighting the importance of supportive workplace policies and flexible work arrangements.
Lack of Mentorship:
Furthermore, women in the supply chain may encounter a lack of mentorship and networking opportunities, which are essential for career development and advancement. Building a strong support system and professional connections is crucial for navigating the complexities of the industry and gaining access to growth opportunities. Overcoming these challenges requires a collective effort from organizations, leaders, and individuals to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in the supply chain.
The Benefits of Diversity in Supply Chain
Fueling Innovation:
Diversity in the supply chain industry brings a multitude of benefits, including increased creativity, innovation, and problem-solving capabilities. By embracing a diverse workforce that includes women from different backgrounds and perspectives, organizations can tap into a wider range of ideas and approaches to address complex challenges and drive business success. Gender diversity in supply chain teams fosters collaboration, enhances decision-making processes, and leads to more effective solutions that resonate with diverse stakeholders.
Stronger Teams, Better Decisions:
Moreover, diversity in supply chain management contributes to improved employee morale and engagement. When women feel valued, respected, and included in the workplace, they are more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to their roles. Creating a culture of diversity and inclusion not only enhances job satisfaction and retention but also attracts top talent to the organization, strengthening its competitive edge in the market.
Customer Satisfaction:
Additionally, diverse supply chain teams are better equipped to understand and cater to the needs of diverse customer segments. By reflecting the diversity of their customers in their workforce, organizations can enhance customer satisfaction, loyalty, and market share. Embracing diversity as a strategic advantage in the supply chain industry is not only the right thing to do ethically but also a smart business decision that drives innovation, growth, and sustainable success.
Why Supply Chain is a Great Career Choice for Women?
The supply chain field offers a wealth of opportunities for women, making it an excellent career choice for many reasons:
1. Growing Demand and Career Advancement:
- Thriving Industry: The supply chain is a dynamic and rapidly growing field with increasing demand for skilled professionals. This translates to a plethora of job opportunities across various sectors, from manufacturing and retail to healthcare and technology.
- Leadership Potential: As companies recognize the importance of supply chain optimization, women have ample opportunities to rise through the ranks and take on leadership roles in the field. The demand for strategic thinking and problem-solving skills creates a path for women to excel.
2. Diverse Skill Set Utilization:
- Multifaceted Role: Supply chain roles often require a blend of analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Women’s natural abilities in multitasking, collaboration, and relationship-building are highly valued in this field.
- Creativity and Innovation: Supply chain management involves finding creative solutions to complex challenges. Women’s innovative thinking and ability to adapt to change can be instrumental in driving efficiency and improving processes.
3. Flexibility and Remote Work:
- Work-From-Home Opportunities: Many supply chain roles, especially those in planning, analysis, and coordination, are well-suited for remote work. This can provide the flexibility to balance childcare, household responsibilities, and a fulfilling career.
- Flexible Scheduling: Some companies offer flexible hours, allowing you to tailor your workday around school schedules, appointments, or family needs.
4. Competitive Compensation:
- High-Paying Jobs: Supply chain management roles often come with competitive salaries and benefits. As the industry continues to grow and the demand for skilled professionals rises, women can expect to earn well in this field.
- Bonus Potential: Many supply chain roles offer performance-based bonuses, providing additional financial incentives for achieving key goals and driving positive results.
5. Flexibility and Work-Life Balance:
- Remote Work Options: Many supply chain roles offer the flexibility to work remotely, allowing women to balance their personal and professional lives more effectively.
- Variety of Schedules: The supply chain operates 24/7, which can provide women with scheduling options that suit their individual needs and preferences.
6. Stable and Growing Field:
- Job Security: The supply chain industry is essential to the global economy, offering stability and career security. Even during economic downturns, companies still need to manage their supply chains efficiently.
- Career Advancement: With the right skills and experience, there are ample opportunities for growth and advancement within the supply chain field, even while working remotely.
7. Intellectually Stimulating:
- Problem-Solving: Supply chain roles are often filled with complex challenges and problem-solving opportunities. This can be engaging and fulfilling for those who enjoy using their analytical and strategic thinking skills.
- Continuous Learning: The field is constantly evolving with new technologies and trends, keeping the work interesting and providing opportunities for ongoing professional development.
8. Supportive Community:
- Women in Supply Chain: Many organizations and networks support women in the supply chain, offering mentorship, resources, and community. This can be invaluable for networking, advice, and career development.
Empowering Women in Supply Chain: Meet SCMDOJO’s Experts
Shimon Gowda:
Based in the USA, Shimon is an experienced Supply Chain Professional with core expertise as a consultant in Supply Chain Network Design.
Shimon is an experienced Supply Chain Engineer with a Master’s Degree focused in Industrial Engineering (SCM) from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, with a demonstrated history of working cross-functionally across several supply chain domains.
- Warehousing Process Improvement
- Lean Continuous Process Improvement
- Process Optimization
- Materials Management
- Inventory and Logistics Optimization
- Statistical Data Analytics
- ERP, MRP, S&OP
- Transport Route Optimization
She offers courses on:
- Understanding Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Selection and Management
- Mastering Transportation Management System
- Warehouse Design and Operations Diagnostics
- Supply Chain Network Design
Maryna Trepova:
Chief Executive Officer – IPSM – International Procurement & Supply Management
Based in Ukraine, Maryna is a procurement expert who provides consulting training, especially in procurement management courses. Maryna has:
- 5 years of experience in procurement training and consulting.
- 10 years of experience in purchasing and procurement, the tobacco market in particular.
- Deep knowledge of procurement, sourcing, vendor management, and category management in different categories.
- Provide different consulting projects in procurement and purchasing
- Proven experience in the negotiation process.
- Strong organization and communication skills, analytical abilities, and strategic thinking;
- Speaker at different conferences and round tables in Ukraine and other countries.
- Public figure and volunteer in public procurement reforming
She offers courses on:
- Mastering Purchasing Process
- Introduction to Category Management
- The Fundamentals of Sourcing
- Introduction to Negotiations Process
- Understanding Supplier & Market Analysis
- Contract Management in Procurement
- Ethical and Responsible Sourcing Practices
- Supplier Relationship Management
Dyci Sfregola
Chief Executive Officer – New Gen Architects
When it comes to supply chain and product operations, Dyci Sfregola’s experience is that most organizations leave money on the table due to disorganized processes.
She founded New Gen Architects in 2020 to show companies how to transform business operations, starting with their supply chain. Leveraging her business acumen and technical expertise, Dyci’s vision is to empower clients to be customer-centric and scale intelligently.
Through business and digital architecture advisory services, she directs clients on establishing efficient processes, identifying and implementing digital technologies, and engaging people as a roadmap for success.
Dyci’s Perspective:
- Process and people before technology.
- The importance of clean data? Critically important.
- Breaking down silos is necessary.
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication are powerful.
- Strategic supplier-partner relationships/partnerships are essential.
Vera Rozanova
Vera is a seasoned procurement & supply chain professional with 25+ years of experience in Planning, Supply Chain, Procurement, SOP+, and Quality across diverse industries. She holds a degree of MBA and MCIPS. Vera has PRINCE2, SGS Food Safety, and Cambridge SDG&Law certificates. She has worked in major Multi-National Companies like Royal Canin (MARS), British American Tobacco, Procter & Gamble, and RosAgro as a procurement director.
Key competencies:
- Direct & indirect materials
- Function Strategy & transformation
- Digitalization
- ESG
- Risk management
- Supplier Relationship management
She is an invited lecturer and Award-Winning Speaker, nominated for ‘Best Procurement CPOs – Russia’ list. Vera has delivered programs on “Supply Chain Resilience,” “Risk Management,” “Procurement Digitalization”, “Procurement Transformation”, “Category Strategies”, “SRM,” and other topics. She brings extensive expertise to the role of a consultant/coach/mentor in procurement & supply chain, women leadership, negotiations, and soft skills.
Watch what this course Mastering Supply Chain Resilience: Understanding Economic Volatility and Transformation by Vera teaches you on our SCMDOJO YouTube Channel!
Janice Marquardt
Janice Marquardt has been a driving force in the supply chain sector for manufacturing and energy businesses since 2011. Before her remarkable career in supply chain management, Janice was a design and manufacturing engineer, laying a solid technical foundation for her expertise. She holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa, blending technical acumen with business savvy. Janice’s career took a significant leap when she co-led the Leveraging Spend aggregation group at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, where she worked for over five years. Her exceptional leadership and strategic insight earned her the role of Vice President of Supply Chain, a position she held for three years.
In Q4 2023, Janice ventured into entrepreneurship by founding her firm, Passwall Solutions, where she continues to make impactful contributions to the industry. As the Principal Consultant and SVP of Procurement, she identifies supply chain strengths and opportunities, with potential savings of $150–$225 million on a $2 billion spend. She also builds customer bid responses to highlight competitor cost-cutting and improve the chances of winning awards, and documents supply chain processes to reduce handoffs and waste by 10-30%.
Janice’s specialties are vast and include e-auctions, negotiations, assessing supply chains, and supporting operations teams in the utilities and manufacturing sectors. Her extensive experience and keen understanding of supply chain dynamics enable her to deliver exceptional results for her clients. Janice’s diverse experience and proven track record make her an invaluable resource for businesses seeking to optimize their supply chain operations and achieve significant cost savings.
Overcoming Challenges:
While the supply chain field has traditionally been male-dominated, that is changing. Many companies are actively promoting diversity and inclusion in their supply chain teams, recognizing the value that women bring to the table.
Tips for Success:
- Networking: Building relationships with other professionals in the field can open doors to new opportunities.
- Continuous Learning: Staying up-to-date with industry trends and technologies is essential for career growth.
- Mentorship: Seeking guidance from experienced mentors can help navigate challenges and accelerate career advancement.
Conclusion: The Future of Women in Supply Chain
The supply chain beckons women seeking impactful careers. Diverse roles, growth potential, and global impact make it a dynamic field for female talent. As diversity gains momentum, organizations recognize the power of balanced teams and inclusive cultures. This translates to more opportunities and support for women – mentorship, leadership development, and equal pay practices. These efforts dismantle barriers, creating a level playing field.
The future holds immense potential for women in the supply chain. Their unique skills will drive innovation and sustainability. As women rise to leadership roles and advocate for equality, the industry becomes more diverse and resilient. This rise of women is a testament to their strength and the industry’s positive shift towards inclusivity. By embracing diversity, the supply chain paves the way for a future where women can flourish and leave their lasting mark.
About the Author – Dr. Muddassir Ahmed
Dr. Muddassir Ahmed is the Founder & CEO of SCMDOJO. He is a global speaker, vlogger, and supply chain industry expert with 19 years of experience in the Manufacturing Industry in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and South East Asia in various Supply Chain leadership roles. Dr. Muddassir has received a PhD in Management Science from Lancaster University Management School. Muddassir is a Six Sigma black belt and has founded the leading supply chain platform SCMDOJO to enable supply chain professionals and supply chain teams to thrive by providing best-in-class knowledge content, tools, and access to experts.
You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.