President's Letter

Dear APICS MITE followers!

 

 

What is happening out there? The job market, trends, and transitions... if you haven't experienced it directly, you certainly know friends, family, and co-workers that have. If faced with the challenge, how would you handle career transition? How have things changed? What skillsets are now sought after?

 

Read on for the perspective of Barbara L., an APICS member currently experiencing the surprises and challenges of transition. Provide your comments and feedback by posting a comment on our LinkedIn group site (look for this posting) or via email to president@apicsnashville.org

Thanks, and we appreciate your support of APICS MITE.

 

Dale Pinnekamp, APICS MITE President and the APICS MITE Board

 

P.S. Thanks Barbara, for sharing your insight!

 

Perspective from the Job Front, by Barbara L.

 

I've been searching for a job, full time, since around early August of 2011, since relocating to the Nashville metro area. The last job search I had was not much of a search (eight years ago); I applied for a job locally in Bristol and got a call a few days later, and was hired within a month. Comparing now to then -the screening process and interviewing process are definitely more rigorous, competitive and challenging. Plus now with social media, the world of the internet has leveled the playing field in many ways. A candidate has to willing and able to use all the different aspects that are offered with the current technology, and be willing to step away from the computer and get "out there" to network.

 

 

There are several common key skills that have been those which have caught the attention of the potential employers that I've interviewed with. Having SAP experience has opened more than one door, even if a candidate doesn't have SAP experience, experience in working with an operating system similar to SAP is a definite prerequisite in job hunting in today's materials management world. The fact that I have two APICS certifications: CPIM and CSCP are valuable commodities as well. The certificates demonstrate my commitment to increasing my knowledge base, and broadening my exposure to aspects outside of my job experience in supply chain management.

 

A specific area where I am feeling stretched is that while I have purchasing experience I do not have the contract negotiation skills or experience in working directly with suppliers on setting up contracts and negotiating pricing and terms. My experience in purchasing is in the execution aspects of purchasing (placing the orders, expediting or de-expediting, and providing the 12-18 month rolling forecasts). Contract negotiation at my previous employer was conducted by Corporate Sourcing, Senior Management and Legal Affairs. This specific experience question has come up in more than one interview. However, negotiation is used not just in contracts and purchasing, in everyday work - one is constantly negotiating - for time, resources, funding. So, I've developed a response that points out how I have successfully used my negotiation skills in the past using specific examples.

 

One of today's focus is on doing more for less -having experience and/or knowledge lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, process improvement are all key qualities that today's potential employer is looking for. The credential of having some sort of Lean/Six Sigma education and experience is not only required, it is expected.

 

Plus employers are looking for someone who is willing to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges and responsibilities. Even someone who may be willing to take a lateral move or even maybe a step back on the career path to get in on the ground level of some of the more successful companies.

 

Since I am not focusing on staying in the same industry - Pharmaceuticals, I've been challenged with coming up with a message that demonstrates my ability to apply what I've learned working in Pharmaceuticals to working in (for instance) food manufacturing or automotive manufacturing. One of the benefits of having an APICS education is that, when it comes right down to it, manufacturing is manufacturing. The tools and processes of materials management and supply chain management are universal across all platforms, the differences boil down to the quality systems and regulatory landscape of each industry.

 

While I haven't landed a job, I've landed several interviews. None of my interviews have been with a company in the Nashville metro area - so another key - be open to change, flexible and willing to consider relocation.

 

Looking for a job is one of the hardest jobs I've ever had. It is a tough job market right now, in these months on my quest for a job I have learned one very important aspect of today's job market: my technical experience and knowledge is what will get me in the door - what will land the job are the "soft" skills and the hiring company's perception of how I will fit within their company landscape and "culture". For instance, if I land the third interview (with the most recent prospective employer) the interview will be with a member of the Board, the focus of the interview will be on how I will fit and how hiring me is going to be a value proposition in the success of their company.

 

So, to conclude, promoting my experience and technical skills is important, but to differentiate myself I have to be able to articulate and demonstrate the value I can bring. It's not as simple as it used to be, I am being open to new industries, geographic areas, and working on "selling" myself - as this is all required in the brave new job market.

 

Thanks for your support of APICS MITE!