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.
Communication, Networking, Career Development, Negotiation, Practical
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christina Marone
Supplier Manager
Cisco Systems Inc - San Jose, CA
Michigan State University
Arizona State University
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Technology
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Following up and keeping promises is key to success. Christina emphasizes the importance of reliable execution and follow-through, even on small tasks, as it sets individuals apart and can lead to unexpected opportunities.
2. Quality written and verbal communication are crucial. Christina highlights the importance of well-crafted emails and the value of genuine connections during meetings or mentorship opportunities. She suggests leveraging tools like AI to improve communication.
3. Being open to new experiences and actively seeking mentorship are valuable assets. Christina's example of negotiating at a car dealership to improve her supply chain skills shows the benefit of embracing diverse learning opportunities and building a strong professional network.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
I would start off with soft skills, which I think are actually most important as you grow in your career. One of my mentors told me in college to be known for following up and to keep the promises you make.
This is something I started in college. If I told someone I'd send them a link to something, I'd write it down in my notes. Then I'd add it to my phone's reminders and put it on my task list.
I think that's very important. A lot of people don't execute or follow through on things they say they will do. That's really what sets people apart. Your entire life can change with one email, one phone call, or one meeting.
It's really important to get your written communication down. There are a lot of cool tools now, like AI. Spend time really sending quality work as your first opportunity, including resumes, and just continue to practice.
The second element is if you're meeting with somebody for a mentorship opportunity. It's like dating; you want a genuine connection. Always following up with the feedback or advice they give you helped me a lot.
Whether it was reading a book or one of my mentors saying, "If you want to do good in supply chain, go to a car dealership and practice negotiating," I would do it. I had nothing else on a Saturday, so I'd do that.
I gained a lot of mentors and internal advocates at Intel through this approach. I also learned a lot and exposed myself to many different things. So, I would say a skill is being disciplined to follow up.
And second, just being open to trying things. These are a lot of soft skills.