Women in Supply Chain: Aline Dias, from Wickbold, talks about her career and challenges in the sector

The ME Women in Supply Chain Special is just beginning. We invited Aline Dias, Procurement Manager at Wickbold, to talk about her career, achievements and main challenges in her work in the sector. With 17 years of experience in the area, the executive answered several questions, such as what were the biggest lessons learned as a purchasing manager and which technologies were adopted to innovate and adapt to different scenarios and transformations.

Learn about the career of Aline Dias, Procurement Manager at Wickbold

Aline Dias is a Procurement Manager at Wickbold and has 17 years of experience in the field. She has solid knowledge in Strategic Sourcing, categorization, definition of negotiation strategies and project management focused on cost reduction. In addition, she focuses on process improvement, risk mitigation in contracting and compliance and building partnerships with leaders from all areas.

Check out the interview questions and answers:

1. Could you tell us a little about your background and how you became interested in a career in Procurement?

A: I often joke that people “fall” into purchasing, and that’s how it was for me too. At the beginning of my career, while still an intern, I was invited to work in the area. It was love at first sight! In purchasing, there’s no routine. We have the opportunity to learn about different niches, such as contracting services, parts and equipment, packaging and, of course, the heart of the industry: raw materials, each with its own particularities and needs.

 

2. Throughout your career, you have worked for large companies such as Bunge, Saint-Gobain and Wickbold. What were the biggest lessons you learned from working in the purchasing departments of global companies like these?

A: It is very important to be close to the internal customer, to understand the production process, their pain points and how to improve processes to deliver results that go beyond the financial aspect. Asking for feedback on the purchasing area is extremely important, as is showing other areas the size and importance of the department. During my work, I have noticed that, often, the internal customer is not aware of what we do, but when we demonstrate our performance with numbers, everyone is surprised. It is up to the professionals in the area to raise awareness among internal customers.

 

3. A survey conducted by Harvard Business Review found that companies that invest in actions aimed at increasing diversity at all levels of the organization have a 45% greater chance of increasing their market share. But this is just one of the advantages that a diverse environment can bring to organizations. In your opinion, what other benefits can be brought by investing in more diverse teams?

A: Investing in a diverse team brings knowledge at all levels. They have different views on how to act and on different fronts, in addition to the possibility of having appropriate profiles, according to the internal client and their needs.

 

4. What characteristics of female leadership do you believe can bring positive impacts to the Supply Chain sector?

A: Female leaders are more resilient and committed, especially when it comes to communication, which is essential in the Procurement area. We, professionals in the area, need to listen, understand and consider various aspects and scenarios to make good decisions.

 

5. Do you have any female leadership role models that you have looked up to throughout your career? Do you see yourself as a role model for other female professionals in the Supply Chain?

A: Yes, my current manager, Keila Gobbi, and my former manager, when I was at J Macedo, Luciana Cicolo, are people who have inspired me so far. I have heard that I am a reference for people on my team and for those I have led. They seek me out to share experiences. This recognition is very gratifying.

 

6. ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices have increasingly taken center stage in strategic discussions within companies. One of the central points in this debate is the need to attract more diversity to all levels of the supply chain, investing in and encouraging suppliers to adopt sustainability practices. In your current context, what actions do you take to attract more diversity in supplier selection and how can we encourage them to invest in sustainability practices?

A: At Wickbold, ESG is a topic that we take very seriously. We have several sustainability initiatives in the company and we value this issue in all our negotiations. In RFIs, we ask how companies are progressing with this issue. We are also implementing a supplier assessment program, which will have a pillar on ESG, in addition to a supplier management policy, which will also cover these issues.

 

7. In recent years, technology has proven to be essential in helping companies innovate and promote greater competitiveness in their businesses. In this scenario, what technologies have you adopted in your routine, to innovate and adapt to the Procurement of the future?

A: I think technology helps us improve processes, especially the more operational tasks. Most organizations are still structuring themselves to implement processes, just like Wickbold. We are currently working to implement KPIs, via Power BI and RPA for some purchasing activities.

 

8. With the constant changes arising from new technologies and an uncertain market scenario, purchasing professionals have had to develop new skills to stay relevant. In your opinion, what are the essential skills for the purchasing professional of the future?

A: Look beyond the financial aspect, try to anticipate the business needs, to bring solutions and develop new supply options, not just focused on cost avoidance or saving, but also to add technology and innovation to the production process.

 

9. Looking to the future, how do you see the Supply Chain sector in a few years? What skills do you believe a purchasing professional needs to develop to remain relevant in this new scenario?

A: I believe that supply chain professionals must be open to technology, develop strategic activities, and explore new market options. And to be more competitive, it is also important to seek to anticipate what competitors in your segment are doing. This includes adding technology, developing suppliers, and the global supply market for low-cost countries.

 

10. Finally, what advice would you give to other professionals who want to build a long-term career in the Supply Chain sector?

A: For a successful career in purchasing, it is essential to have resilience, persistence and focus. We have many opportunities in the area and there is always something new and different to be done. Don't be afraid to be bold, sometimes from bold ideas can arise great business opportunities.

 

See you next time! 😉

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