Last month, I had the pleasure of co-presenting at WTG’s 13th Annual Logistics and Supply Chain Summit with Oliver York, replenishment analyst within product order management for The Coca-Cola Company, for a session on incorporating Millennials into the supply chain field.
In York’s role he works closely with production planning, transportation, forecasting, and distribution within the organization. He also works across various software platforms and is accountable for making sure performance goals are met. York has been in his role for almost two years. York says, “The position offers me a chance to see several sides of supply chain.” APQC recently spoke with York to discuss his experiences as a Millennial working in supply chain.
What is the biggest bias you think people have about Millennials?
Of the several generalizations about Millennials I think the main one is we are hyper-sensitive. There is probably some truth in this generation being worse than the previous one; however it is something most young adults grow out of if they haven’t already. Biases and stereotypes don’t paint a full picture. A rigorous interview process is the best way to find the right candidate.
As a Millennial, did you experience any challenges when you first started working in the supply chain field?
Yes, I had just graduated college and was getting a taste of the real world. Quickly I learned that the culture in supply chain is very different from sales, HR, or the service industry. The “chain” speaks to how much we rely on our team and counterparts. It is not a field where the best individual performance can carry a team or someone giving less than full effort can be overlooked. Everyone is accountable and must contribute for the chain to be successful.
In your opinion, what frustrates Millennial supply chain workers about their older generation co-workers?
It is easy for older generations to view Millennials as “young,” which can work against us. Youth can be overlooked or even viewed as a positive as long as you maintain a constant professional demeanor in the work place. A crucial skill for Millennials is maintaining work-life balance and not letting life outside of work interfere with life at work.
What is one area in supply chain in which you see Millennials excelling the most?
The job market is increasingly competitive and Millennials have wisely shown a commitment to education. We were also the first generation to be raised in the age of information and technology. Because of that I expect that the time needed to train new employees will be less than what it was for previous generations. Millennials will shine when tasked with group work or collaborating with other units within an organization.
What is the biggest thing you think Millennials don’t understand about supply chain?
Situational behavior. Some issues require patience and careful deliberation while others require immediate action. Unfortunately, determining the correct course of action is something that can only come from time and experience.
When Millennials rule supply chain will it be better and more productive than it is now?
I expect our generation to harness game-changing technical innovations as we move into the higher ranks. Envisioning and implementing how big data, artificial intelligence, and automation are used and leveraged is where Millennials will make the most meaningful impacts. By that time there will be an even scarier generation on the horizon.
What key piece of advice you would give a supply chain professional just entering the workforce?
Ask questions and lots of them. If you don’t understand what you’re doing or why you’re doing it, then it is your job to find out. Teams succeed when there is a clear objective.
Check out our recent article on Encouraging Millennials to Collaborate and Learn on the Job.
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