What Type Of Person Thrives In Procurement And Supply Chain, According To A Global Procurement Manager At Commonwealth Fusion And SpaceX
To thrive in procurement and supply chain, flexibility is key, as "things are always changing," requiring backup plans to navigate unexpected delays or logistical issues. Strong relationship-building skills are also crucial, fostering partnerships with suppliers instead of transactional relationships, which helps "make the pie bigger" for all involved.
Flexibility, Open-mindedness, Relationship Building, Problem-solving, Negotiation
Advizer Information
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Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
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Nihitha Kishore
Global Procurement Manager
Commonwealth Fusion Systems & SpaceX
Rutgers University
UCLA-Anderson MBA
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for handling unexpected changes and challenges in procurement and supply chain management.
2. Open-mindedness is essential for successful negotiations and identifying mutually beneficial solutions with suppliers.
3. Strong relationship-building skills are vital for fostering long-term partnerships with suppliers and achieving shared goals.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry or in roles like procurement?
It's important to be flexible in procurement and supply chain because things are always changing. You never know what to expect, whether it's delayed parts from a supplier or logistical issues, like a train accident.
Having backup plans is crucial because there's always something you'll encounter in supply chain, whether at the supplier level or with logistics. Another recommended skill is being open-minded, which is helpful in negotiations with suppliers.
They may have proposals that can benefit your organization that you haven't considered. This can help grow opportunities for both your organization and the supplier.
I also want to reiterate the importance of relationship building. It goes a long way to move beyond transactional relationships with your suppliers and truly partner with them.
They are also running a business and can help achieve your organization's goals as much as you can help them. These skills are transferable to any opportunity and have sustained me throughout my roles in supply chain.