Career Path Of A Senior Manager Long Range Planning At Patagonia
After studying environmental science, the interviewee worked in various sustainability-focused roles, including a public relations firm, an agricultural science startup in Beijing, and a government think tank, before pursuing an MBA and MS in business analytics. This diverse experience, including a rotational program at Gallo Winery where they "experiment(ed) in different roles" from warehouse diagnostics to sales, ultimately led to their current position as a Senior Manager of Long Range Planning at Patagonia.
Sustainability, Supply Chain, Business Analytics, Long-Range Planning, Career Pivoting
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jenny Tang
Senior Manager, Long Range Planning
Patagonia
University of California, Berkeley
MBA & M.S. Business Analytics at Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Environmental & Related Sciences
Apparel, Beauty, Retail & Fashion, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Finance
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Jenny's career path showcases the value of diverse experiences. She started with a focus on environmental science, then gained experience in public relations, agricultural science, and government policy before pursuing an MBA and working in various roles at Gallo Winery (supply chain, demand planning, factory operations, sales). This variety demonstrates adaptability and a well-rounded skillset.
2. Her education played a crucial role. An environmental science degree fueled her passion for sustainability, and an MBA with a focus on supply chain and business analytics provided the quantitative skills needed for long-range financial planning in a large company. This highlights the importance of aligning education with career goals and developing strong analytical capabilities.
3. Her career progression emphasizes the importance of understanding different business functions. Working in various roles within Gallo Winery (warehouse, demand planning, factory, sales) provided a broad understanding of how a large company operates, making her a strong candidate for a long-range planning position at Patagonia. This suggests that seeking out diverse roles is a valuable strategy for career advancement.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
Absolutely. I started college in 2009 and graduated in 2013. I studied environmental science with a minor in energy and resources, which solidified my passion for sustainability and the environment.
For three years after graduating, I worked at various smaller companies with a sustainability focus. My first role was at a public relations firm in downtown San Francisco. Afterwards, I moved to Beijing and worked at a startup focused on agricultural sciences. Then, I advised a national government as part of a think tank on air quality policy.
After three years of working for startups and smaller organizations, I wanted to understand how a large company operated. That's when I joined WP Carey and their MBA program. In the MBA program, I studied supply chain and also earned a Master of Science in Business Analytics.
E. & J. Gallo Winery, now called Gallo, recruits heavily from Arizona State. That's where I got my first job after grad school. WP Carey also has a wonderful rotational program that allows you to experiment in different roles. I started by diagnosing warehouse bottlenecks, then moved into demand planning for both long-range and short-range forecasting.
After that, I worked in their glass factory, analyzing the capital costs of making glass bottles, and then went into sales. With all that experience, I became a good fit for what Patagonia was looking for in their long-range financial planning, which is my role today.
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