Challenges Of A Supply Chain Coordinator At International Rescue Committee
Dustin's biggest challenge as a Supply Chain Coordinator at the International Rescue Committee is operating in a "relatively resource starved environment" where limited funding, time, skilled personnel, attention, and physical space compound to make work "really, really difficult," especially considering the high stakes involving people's lives and livelihoods. To combat this, Dustin emphasizes the importance of investing in a supportive and resilient workplace so that the team can stay strong and keep going over time.
Resource Management, High-Stakes Environment, Supply Chain Logistics, Emotional Resilience, Risk Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Dustin Weil
Supply Chain Coordinator
International Rescue Committee
University of Minnesota
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Humanities
Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient
Video Highlights
1. Operating in a resource-constrained environment (limited money, time, skilled people, attention, and space) while managing high-stakes responsibilities.
2. The direct impact of supply chain decisions on people's lives and livelihoods, highlighting the heavy responsibility and risks involved.
3. The importance of building a supportive and resilient workplace and team to cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of the work.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your role?
What is your biggest challenge in your role?
I would say the biggest challenge in my current role is operating in a relatively resource-starved environment. The stakes are really high.
When I talk about being resource-starved, I mean that given the mandate for my team and me, what we're trying to accomplish, what we're paid to do, there is not enough money. There is also not enough time. There are not enough skilled, knowledgeable, and committed people involved.
I would say there's not enough attention either, because there are constant distractions flying around everywhere that can make it very hard to focus. And space is another one, because I'm working in supply chain. We have limited shelf space and limited capacity in our vehicles to move things.
All of these are constraints that interact with one another and generally make the work really, really difficult. It's painful because we know that the work we're doing really matters. If we do a bad job, it's not just that we're not selling as many plastic widgets. It's people's lives and livelihoods that are at stake.
So, it's a heavy responsibility and there's a lot of risk if we get things wrong. This is extremely challenging, not just in practical terms like what do we do or do we choose option A or option B. It's also really challenging in emotional or psychological terms.
This is why, along with doing the day-to-day work effectively, it's important to invest in a workplace and a team that can be supportive and resilient, so that we can stay strong and keep going over time.