In honor of International Women’s Day (IWD), attention is directed towards the supply chain and procurement sector and its endeavors to achieve gender parity.
Melaye Ras-Work, vice president and co-founder, alongside Libby Keen, recruitment manager, both at Efficio, share their observations on the challenges and advancements within the industry, shedding light on the unconscious biases that persist in the recruitment process.
This year’s IWD theme, #InspireInclusion, strongly resonates with Ras-Work and Keen, who emphasize the importance of fostering inclusion from the onset of the recruitment process. In an industry often perceived as less inclusive for women, attracting female talent becomes a pivotal first step.
Ras-Work notes, “While progress has been made towards gender diversity, the procurement and supply chain sector still faces challenges in achieving true gender parity. The perception that certain fields, such as procurement, are less accommodating to women impacts female representation in these roles. Businesses need to adopt a balanced recruitment approach to ensure they do not overlook valuable talent from the start, as an imbalanced beginning hinders efforts to establish gender balance.”
Keen adds an essential perspective by addressing the language used in job advertisements. She explains, “The language in job adverts can either encourage or dissuade potential candidates. Women may hesitate to apply if they focus on a single qualification they lack, while men are more likely to apply despite lacking certain qualifications. Recruiters should use language that avoids unconscious biases and stereotypes. Tools are available to identify such biases and guide the creation of more inclusive job specifications. Simple adjustments to job advert language can significantly impact the number of women entering the recruitment process, thereby reshaping gender balance at an early stage.”
Additionally, Keen advocates for broadening the candidate pool by considering individuals from diverse educational backgrounds. While there has been a historical preference for STEM backgrounds in procurement, Keen argues that problem-solving and strategic thinking skills can be cultivated in various educational disciplines. Embracing diversity in education can bring a multitude of perspectives to the field.
Ras-Work concludes by highlighting the evolving leadership landscape within the industry, stating, “Leadership styles are evolving towards collaboration and empowerment. Concepts like ‘servant leadership’ are gaining traction, emphasizing leaders who serve and empower their teams. In a cross-functional profession like procurement, this collaborative approach is crucial for driving change. Companies must not only attract but also develop and support talent, ensuring that quieter, yet highly efficient, team members are not overlooked during assessments and promotions.”
As we celebrate IWD, it is evident that progress is being made in the procurement and supply chain industry. However, the call to action remains clear – businesses must continue their efforts to cultivate an inclusive environment, eradicate unconscious biases, and provide equal opportunities for women to excel in leadership roles within the sector. The journey towards true gender parity is ongoing, but with the right initiatives, women can aspire to and achieve greater leadership roles in procurement and supply chain management.
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