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The Future of Women in Supply Chain: Closing the Gender Gap
The Future of Women in Supply Chain: Closing the Gender Gap
Views expressed in guest blogs are the author’s own.
Supply chains are more critical now than ever before. As proven by the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are under pressure to overcome supply shortages of key raw materials, while meeting turbulent shocks in customer demand. We are living in an ever-changing and complex business environment, signaling the need for organizations to plan and operate differently. Supply chain leaders must be equipped with a diverse set of skills, and women play a tremendous role in unlocking this value. We need more females in power to serve as role models and to help younger women rise up the ranks. As such, it is imperative for organizations to prioritize and champion gender balance in their supply chains. According to Gartner’s Women in Supply Chain Survey 2021, women represent 41% of the supply chain workforce in 2021, up from 39% in 2020. However, representation at the executive level showed a decline with women accounting for only 15% in 2021, down from 17% in 2020 (see Figure 1). Clearly, it is time that we empower women to bring their innovative insights, talents, and experiences to the supply chain industry.
My interest in supply chain blossomed in high school when I first discovered the wondrous world of industrial engineering. Among the many disciplines of industrial engineering, supply chain was a field that I naturally gravitated towards. The ability to bring order to chaos, while optimizing a connected network of suppliers, companies, and customers, is mission-critical across all industries. Going into engineering, I knew that it is a heavily male-dominated field and would require a combined focus on technical and soft skills. Nonetheless, I was determined to take that challenge on and have never looked back since. I pursued my passion in undergrad and concentrated in supply chain management; and now, I work full-time as an Operations consultant, helping clients to transform how they produce and deliver goods and services end-to-end.
Figure 1: Women in Supply Chain Leadership Roles (Source: Gartner June 2021)
There are numerous occasions when I scan a boardroom and do not see anyone who looks like me or who I can identify with. This oftentimes leaves me feeling isolated, lonely, or even like an outsider looking in. Speaking from personal experience, having female role models in the workplace makes a consequential difference. It builds a communal sense of belonging and sets the bar high on what is possible for younger women. We cannot succeed alone and need a support system of female role models who encourage us to pull up a seat at the table.
As a woman of color who has chosen to pursue a career in supply chain, I firmly believe we have what it takes to close the gender gap. It is on us − as a global community − to expose STEM to female students at an early age, mentor and sponsor women throughout their career trajectory, and promote inclusive supply chain leadership on the factory floors and in the C-suite. The positive impacts of gender diversity in the workplace are irrefutable and well-documented. The business case is loud and clear: research shows that gender-diverse companies produce a healthier bottom line. Women have different backgrounds and life experiences, contributing to unique approaches in problem-solving and ultimately better performance outcomes.
To my fellow women, go forth and take the leap of faith into the supply chain industry! Let’s support, advocate, and elevate one another on the uncharted path ahead, as we knock down barriers and amplify our voices. Many of us may feel discomfort along the way. In those moments, we may want to eradicate the discomfort, but this feeling is something we should embrace. Discomfort is only temporary and catalyzes our process of growth. Just like the discomfort that comes with disrupted supply chains and a slowing global economic recovery, we know that this too shall pass, and we will come out on the other side stronger. Isn’t it exciting to enter the supply chain industry during such a pivotal time in history? Supply chain is no longer a “back-office” department, but instead a strategic function that any organization needs to survive and drive a competitive edge. The future of women holds unbelievable promise and is a potent ingredient for organizations to build even stronger and more resilient supply chains. The time is now to accelerate progress towards this future. The clock is ticking.
Veronica Chua
She/ Her/ Hers
Operations Business Analyst | McKinsey & Company
The Future of Women in Supply Chain: Closing the Gender Gap
Views expressed in guest blogs are the author’s own.
Supply chains are more critical now than ever before. As proven by the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are under pressure to overcome supply shortages of key raw materials, while meeting turbulent shocks in customer demand. We are living in an ever-changing and complex business environment, signaling the need for organizations to plan and operate differently. Supply chain leaders must be equipped with a diverse set of skills, and women play a tremendous role in unlocking this value. We need more females in power to serve as role models and to help younger women rise up the ranks. As such, it is imperative for organizations to prioritize and champion gender balance in their supply chains. According to Gartner’s Women in Supply Chain Survey 2021, women represent 41% of the supply chain workforce in 2021, up from 39% in 2020. However, representation at the executive level showed a decline with women accounting for only 15% in 2021, down from 17% in 2020 (see Figure 1). Clearly, it is time that we empower women to bring their innovative insights, talents, and experiences to the supply chain industry.
My interest in supply chain blossomed in high school when I first discovered the wondrous world of industrial engineering. Among the many disciplines of industrial engineering, supply chain was a field that I naturally gravitated towards. The ability to bring order to chaos, while optimizing a connected network of suppliers, companies, and customers, is mission-critical across all industries. Going into engineering, I knew that it is a heavily male-dominated field and would require a combined focus on technical and soft skills. Nonetheless, I was determined to take that challenge on and have never looked back since. I pursued my passion in undergrad and concentrated in supply chain management; and now, I work full-time as an Operations consultant, helping clients to transform how they produce and deliver goods and services end-to-end.
Figure 1: Women in Supply Chain Leadership Roles (Source: Gartner June 2021)
There are numerous occasions when I scan a boardroom and do not see anyone who looks like me or who I can identify with. This oftentimes leaves me feeling isolated, lonely, or even like an outsider looking in. Speaking from personal experience, having female role models in the workplace makes a consequential difference. It builds a communal sense of belonging and sets the bar high on what-is-possible for younger women. We cannot succeed alone and need a support system of female role models who encourage us to pull up a seat at the table.
As a woman of color who has chosen to pursue a career in supply chain, I firmly believe we have what it takes to close the gender gap. It is on us − as a global community − to expose STEM to female students at an early age, mentor and sponsor women throughout their career trajectory, and promote inclusive supply chain leadership on the factory floors and in the C-suite. The positive impacts of gender diversity in the workplace are irrefutable and well-documented. The business case is loud and clear: research shows that gender-diverse companies produce a healthier bottom line. Women have different backgrounds and life experiences, contributing to unique approaches in problem-solving and ultimately better performance outcomes.
To my fellow women, go forth and take the leap of faith into the supply chain industry! Let’s support, advocate, and elevate one another on the uncharted path ahead, as we knock down barriers and amplify our voices. Many of us may feel discomfort along the way. In those moments, we may want to eradicate the discomfort, but this feeling is something we should embrace. Discomfort is only temporary and catalyzes our process of growth. Just like the discomfort that comes with disrupted supply chains and a slowing global economic recovery, we know that this too shall pass, and we will come out on the other side stronger. Isn’t it exciting to enter the supply chain industry during such a pivotal time in history? Supply chain is no longer a “back-office” department, but instead a strategic function that any organization needs to survive and drive a competitive edge. The future of women holds unbelievable promise and is a potent ingredient for organizations to build even stronger and more resilient supply chains. The time is now to accelerate progress towards this future. The clock is ticking.
Veronica Chua
She / Her / Hers
Operations Business Analyst | McKinsey & Company
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The Future of Women in Supply Chain: Closing the Gender Gap
As a woman of color who has chosen to pursue a career in supply chain, I firmly believe we have what it takes to close the gender gap. It is on us − as a global community − to expose STEM to female students at an early age, mentor and sponsor women throughout their career trajectory, and promote inclusive supply chain leadership on the factory floors and in the C-suite.
