AWARD
By Mackenna Moralez
SUGAR, SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE
SHOW THE INDUSTRY WHAT THEY ARE MADE OF
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Supply & Demand Chain Executive introduces the recipients of its first annual Women in Supply Chain award.
hat does it really mean to act “like a lady?” Does it really mean to be feminine and sit back quietly while others take the lead? Women across various industries have been working their femininity by being innovators and thought leaders, and that is no different in the supply chain. According to Gartner Inc.’s 2020 Women in Supply Chain Survey among 177 supply chain professionals, 17% of chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) are now women—a 6% increase compared to 2019 and the highest rate since the first edition of the survey in 2016. “The increase in women executive leaders over the past year is a positive sign, however the survey showed that women don’t consistently make it through the pipeline,” says Dana Stiffler, vice president analyst, Gartner Supply Chain Practice. “Lack of progress is not something the industry can afford at the moment. Supply chain’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery is crucial, with lives and livelihoods at stake. This is a pivotal time for many women in mid-level and senior management positions.” Despite the increase, there is still a noticeable gap between women and men in vice president and director levels. According to the survey, 63% of respondents have active goals, objectives or initiatives to recruit more women to their business and build pipelines. However, it could take years to build this activity to strengthen pipelines. This contributes to representation of women in the total supply chain workforce remaining 16
unchanged at 39% year-over-year. The Wall Street Journal found that men earned 29% more than women in 2017, with the gap widening in C-suite positions. Although there are fewer women working within the field, men who had 15-19 years of experience in the industry earned 48% more than their female counterparts. Nevertheless, women continue to move the industry forward. That’s part of the reason why Supply & Demand Chain Executive launched its first annual Women in Supply Chain award. The Women in Supply Chain award honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network. SDCE received over 300 nominations, with 136 women gaining recognition. In addition, 5% of winners were nominated by their male counterparts, while 8% of winners were self-nominated. This milestone award has reached women in every single sector of the supply chain, recognizing their outstanding talents and perseverance. So, what does it really mean to act “like a lady?” The recipients of this award will be able to tell you. It’s about leading with grace, advocating for your team, being a mentor, having a willingness to learn and adapt to changes and more. Because if you fight like a girl, feel like a girl and lead like a girl, then maybe the supply chain field is for you. Please join SDCE in introducing the first recipients of the Women in Supply Chain Award.
SUPPLY & DEMAND CHAIN EXECUTIVE | September 2020 | www.SDCExec.com
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