As we discussed recently, supply chain disruptions exploded with the onset of COVID-19. In this environment, we look at the status of female supply chain managers. It seems that it continues a several year trend. Let’s now explore this topic.
Key Marketing Trend: The Status of Female Supply Chain Managers
Earlier this year, Gartner did a survey on the status of women working in the supply chain. Some highlights of what it learned:
“While supply chain organizations deal with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, they still pursue gender equality goals. According to Gartner, Inc.’s 2020 Women in Supply Chain Survey among 177 supply chain professionals, 17% of chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) are now women – a 6% increase compared to 2019 and the highest rate since the first edition of the survey in 2016.”
“’The increase in women executive leaders over the past year is a positive sign, however the survey showed that women don’t consistently make it through the pipeline,’ said Dana Stiffler, vice-president analyst with the Gartner Supply Chain Practice. ‘Lack of progress is not something the industry can afford at the moment. Supply chain’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery is crucial, with lives and livelihoods at stake. This is a pivotal time for many women in mid-level and senior management positions.’”
“However, compared to 2019, there are proportionally fewer women at the vice-president and director levels (see Figure 1). In 2020, 63% of respondents do have active goals, objectives or initiatives to recruit women and build pipelines, but Ms. Stiffler said it takes years for this activity to strengthen pipelines. This dynamic also contributes to representation of women in the total supply chain workforce remaining unchanged at 39% year over year.”
The following chart summarizes things.
