Career path of a Sustainable Procurement Supply Chain Risk Lead at Efficio
Ruzual's career path began with a mechanical engineering degree and internships in "manufacturing plants and steel mills," where, as the only woman in a largely male environment, the experience sparked an interest in sustainability. After 13 years in third-party risk management at Deloitte, focusing on ESG and supply chain risks, a move to a boutique consulting firm reflects a long-term vision toward "tech sustainability roles."
Sustainability, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, Consulting, ESG
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ruzual Boparai
Sustainable Procurement & Supply Chain Risk Lead
Efficio
Georgian College, McMaster University
N/A
Engineering - Mechanical
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Consulting
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Ruzual's background in mechanical engineering and business provided a solid foundation for her career in sustainable procurement and supply chain risk management.
2. Her internships in manufacturing plants and steel mills exposed her to sustainability issues and influenced her career path.
3. Her 13 years of experience in third-party risk management and ESG-related risks, combined with her consulting background, demonstrate her expertise in this field. She also highlights the importance of early career experiences in shaping her professional path
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?
I graduated in 2011 with a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in business. During my education, I completed several internships. Given my field of study, many of these were in manufacturing plants and steel mills, which I found very interesting.
At the time, especially in the steel mills, I was the only female among approximately 200 to 250 men. I recall walking into the first production meeting and seeing the shock on their faces. They had likely assumed I was male based on my name.
It was interesting to be on the floor, performing calculations related to steel coils and their serrated edges. I was also able to build strong working relationships with the men I worked with. I sometimes worked night shifts, depending on the type of steel being produced, which wasn't always ideal for my schedule.
Working in those environments made me think about sustainability and environmental issues more broadly. After graduating, I started working for Deloitte in third-party risk management for about 13 years, focusing on the extended enterprise. For the past couple of years, I've concentrated on ESG and ESG-related risks with third parties, which pertains to the supply chain.
My pre-degree internship experience was extremely important because it opened my mind to the concept of sustainability and its significance. This eventually allowed me to move into this area. I've been in consulting for my entire 13-year career, including at a Big Four firm. Currently, I work for a small boutique consulting firm. Long-term, I see myself in tech sustainability roles.