Student Interview

A supply chain student reached out recently. Writing a paper. Wanted to interview a practitioner. Found me somehow - which either speaks to the quality of my online presence or the desperation of the assignment deadline. Possibly both.

They came prepared. Good questions. Real curiosity. Took notes as we spoke. I respect that more than most people realize.

Here's how it went.

Them: How did you get into supply chain?
Me: It found me. I didn't grow up dreaming about freight, fulfillment metrics, shipping zones, or yield loss. I didn't think about contribution margin or delivered cost. I found a problem worth solving and the career followed. That's how most of the best operators I know got here.

Them: What's the biggest misconception about supply chain?
Me: That it's a back office function. Supply chain is the vital organs of the business. It's where strategy meets reality. Where promises made in the boardroom either get kept or fall apart. Anyone who thinks supply chain is just logistics has never stood on a dock at 4 a.m. trying to recover a missed shipment before a customer notices or been in a warehouse at 9 a.m. when a sprinkler head breaks or figures out the solution to 5x growth with 1x staffing.

Them: What advice would you give someone starting their career in this field?
Me: Get on the floor. Early and often. Before you manage a process - understand it. Before you optimize a system - work inside it. The best supply chain leaders I've ever known have dirt under their fingernails from the early days. That foundation never leaves you.

Them: What does success look like in supply chain leadership?
Me: The operation runs so well that nobody notices it. The team is developed enough that they don't need you for every decision. And when something breaks - because something always breaks - the response is calm, coordinated, and faster than anyone expected. Invisible excellence. That's the goal.

They thanked me. Said it was exactly what they needed for the assignment. I hope it helps. But more than that - I hope they get into this industry and stay. Because supply chain needs people who are curious enough to ask good questions before they've even started.