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Christina, Supplier Manager at Cisco Systems Inc - San Jose, CA: Advize Career Interview
A career in supply chain management offers exciting opportunities for those with strong interpersonal skills and a proactive approach.
The path to success, as demonstrated by a Cisco Supplier Manager, involves networking diligently, mastering relationship management, and leveraging data-driven decision-making.
A day-to-day role involves negotiating contracts, ensuring quality and sustainability across the supply chain, and navigating complex challenges through collaboration and a focus on company goals.
Entry-level positions in procurement, operations, and logistics provide a solid foundation for a fulfilling career in this dynamic field, where adaptability, reliability, and a commitment to follow-through are key to professional advancement.
The interviewee's journey highlights the importance of a well-defined four-year plan, proactive networking, and consistent effort in developing crucial soft skills for achieving professional goals.
The global impact and constant evolution of the technology industry provide further motivation for a career in this field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Christina Marone
Supplier Manager
Cisco Systems Inc - San Jose, CA
Michigan State University
Arizona State University
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Technology
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path Of A Supplier Manager At Cisco
Christina's career path began with a telemarketing job and active involvement in campus organizations like the supply chain management association at Michigan State, prioritizing networking over high GPA. This proactive approach, including meeting "every recruiter...and saying, 'Hey, here's my resume,'" significantly impacted their career trajectory and current success as a Supplier Manager at Cisco.
Main Responsibilities Of A Supplier Manager At Cisco Systems
As a Supplier Manager at Cisco, Christina's role within procurement focuses on "relationship management," acting as a "reverse salesperson" to manage supplier relationships, incorporating analytics and project management. This career path provides a "good balance" of work-life integration with a more traditional nine-to-five schedule, unlike some other fields.
A Day In The Life Of A Supplier Manager At Cisco Systems
A Supplier Manager at Cisco, Christina's role centers on achieving "best in class cost, quality, technology, availability, and sustainability," acting as an escalation point for supply chain issues. Daily activities involve diverse problem-solving, from negotiating pricing and contracts ("how do we get our costs down") to ensuring quality and aligning technology roadmaps, while maintaining ethical partnerships and a focus on sustainability, even down to "the smelters."
Most Important Skills For A Supplier Manager At Cisco Systems
Christina, a Supplier Manager at Cisco, emphasizes the importance of strong soft skills, particularly "following up" and keeping promises, stating that "your entire life can change with one email, one phone call." This proactive approach, combined with a willingness to try new things—such as her experience negotiating at a car dealership—helped build strong mentorships and internal advocates, significantly impacting career progression.
Favorite Parts of Being a Supplier Manager at Cisco Systems
Christina's favorite aspect of her Supplier Manager role at Cisco is its relationship-focused nature, contrasting with her initial perception that careers must be "super technical, super analytical, or super scientific." This role allows Christina to leverage and further develop skills in "influence, learning negotiations, learning how to...be persuasive," skills valuable throughout life and a departure from the initially expected medical career path.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Supplier Manager at Cisco Systems
Christina's biggest challenge as a Supplier Manager at Cisco is "navigating ambiguity" and the resulting "conflicting viewpoints," a situation they address by focusing on "using data to influence others" and removing emotion from problem-solving. This data-driven approach is key to their success in this dynamic role.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Tech Industry As A Supplier Manager At Cisco
Christina enjoys the dynamic nature of the tech industry, stating that "being on the forefront of what's going on" with advancements like AI is exciting. The significant global impact of supply chain work, connecting "every single person in the world," and contributing to Cisco's mission of bringing connectivity globally are also key sources of professional satisfaction.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry, According To A Supplier Manager At Cisco
Christina's experience highlights the importance of adaptability and flexibility in the tech industry, contrasting her structured approach at earlier companies with the need for "being nimble, flexible, and responsive" at Cisco. The interview also reveals a valuable lesson learned early in her career: humility and a willingness to ask for help are crucial for success, as evidenced by their experience at Halliburton where a lack of humility resulted in a missed return offer.
What a Supplier Manager at Cisco wishes they had known before entering the Supply Chain industry
With a decade in the field, Christina emphasizes the importance of "follow through" and reliability above specific skills, advising those entering supply chain finance or any field to be "trustworthy" and "counted on." This consistent dependability, demonstrated through actions such as prompt email responses, builds a strong reputation and is a key ingredient for career success.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Supplier Managers
Entry-level positions in Christina's field of supply chain management at Cisco include roles in procurement as a "buyer, indirect or direct," operations with planning positions, and logistics with "logistics analysts" or customs-related roles. These positions provide a path into supply chain management, encompassing procurement, operations, and logistics, as well as industrial engineering.
Significant Career Lesson From A Supplier Manager At Cisco
A significant career lesson learned from a supplier involved removing ego from decision-making, focusing on "the betterment of the company" rather than personal gain. This approach, applied to negotiations and leadership, prioritizes company goals over individual achievements, resulting in more effective problem-solving and collaboration.
College Experiences That Helped A Supplier Manager At Cisco Systems Succeed
To succeed in college and beyond, Christina suggests creating a "four-year plan broken into two-year chunks" to define goals and align academics with lifestyle aspirations, like "moving to California and traveling the world." Active engagement with career services, including mock interviews and networking with recruiters, is equally crucial, emphasizing "practice and reps" as key to interview success.
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