The Power of Women in Supply Chain: Driving Transformational Change

As the world continues to evolve, so do the industries that support it. The supply chain industry is one of the most significant industries in the world, and it is currently undergoing a transformational shift. Historically underrepresented in the industry, women are now poised to play a pivotal role in driving this change. As a woman and senior leader in this industry, I am honored to share my vision for the future.

One of the most significant changes the supply chain industry will see is the increased focus on sustainability. Women tend to prioritize ethical sourcing and sustainability practices. By 2025, 81% of customers will consider sustainability when making purchasing decisions, according to IBM. As a result, we expect to see a rise in demand for sustainable practices across the entire supply chain, from raw material sourcing to product delivery. Companies that prioritize sustainability will lead in this area, while those that ignore sustainability risk losing customers.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation, creating new supply chain opportunities while presenting evolutionary challenges. 

MarketsandMarkets estimates that the global “smart” supply chain technologies market will reach $30.8 billion by 2026. Women in leadership roles are leading the way in promoting the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and IoT to significantly improve supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and better meet customer demands. Therefore, women’s leadership ensures that companies can meet customer demands and create supply chains that can withstand future challenges.

Effective collaboration among roles and global teams becomes essential as supply chains become more complex due to the increasing number of suppliers, products, and distribution channels involved, as well as the demand for more personalized products and faster delivery times. In fostering partnership and teamwork across supply chains, women play a critical role, resulting in more robust and resilient operations in the future. The Hackett Group conducted a survey that showed women supply chain leaders prioritize collaboration 73 percent more than their male counterparts and are 51 percent more likely to encourage their teams to collaborate effectively. This statistic emphasizes women’s critical role in creating more resilient supply chains.

"In fostering partnership and teamwork across supply chains, women play a critical role, resulting in more robust and resilient operations in the future"

Research indicates that having more women in leadership positions can improve profitability and efficiency in the supply chain industry. As influential leaders in this industry, we must embrace these transformative changes and encourage our teams to do the same. Working together can build a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient supply chain that contributes to a better world. Women’s focus on sustainability, digital transformation, and collaboration makes them well-suited to be the leaders of tomorrow in the supply chain industry. According to a survey by Thomasnet, 42 percent of supply chain professionals believe that women in leadership positions are leading the way. Therefore, this is a transformational time that provides an opportunity to leverage the incredible influence of women to shape the future of the supply chain industry, and the world needs more women in leadership roles in this field. Together, let us work towards making this a reality.