321: Women in Supply Chain, Darcy MacClaren

In today’s episode of Women In Supply Chain, I’m joined by multi-award-winning supply chain leader Darcy MacClaren. Darcy MacClaren is a strategic global leader who has spent 30 years growing, differentiating, and improving businesses through technology transformation with a focus on supply chain. She has held various leadership roles at SAP over the last ten years and currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Digital Supply Chain and Industry 4.0 for SAP North America. Darcy is passionate about collaboration, and committed to guiding organizations in their digital transformation journey through innovative technology and next-generation business processes. Today Darcy will be talking to us about her career so far; the role of sponsors, as well as mentors; building a support network for women; and putting a focus on helping companies build resilient, agile, and sustainable supply chains. Plus, she’ll be sharing her experiences as a woman in supply chain, as well as her words of advice for all of the women following in her footsteps.   SHOW SPONSOR:   Women fuel the success of some of the world’s most successful businesses, yet barriers still exist. SAP is committed to supporting and elevating a new generation of women to profoundly lead and impact global supply chains and are proud to support the Women in Supply Chain Series and its efforts. Supply chains need to evolve from low-cost and optimized to risk-resilient and sustainable and SAP can help. SAP Digital Supply Chain solutions connect the entire process — design, planning, manufacturing, logistics, maintenance, and service; connecting your supply chains to the rest of your business and all your contextual data; supporting your efforts in alleviating risk in your supply chains. SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software and for the last 50 years has been helping companies to run better. Find out more at sap.com/scm   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [06.53] Darcy’s ambition as a young person, and how a role at Hewlett Packard in the early days of her career set Darcy on a path to success. “Right from a young age, I knew I wanted to be successful, I knew I wanted to be powerful – but I didn’t know what that meant.” [09.18] How Darcy found supply chain, why her strengths were such a good match, and why she really fell in love with the industry. [13.02] Why Darcy found her voice early on in her career, and how she came to appreciate the magnitude of supply chain and the impact it had on people’s lives. “I do a lot of mentoring for folks entering the field and I always let them know: 'you know more than you think you know. You just don’t have the confidence yet.'” [16.59] Why Darcy joined SAP, her journey at the brand over the past 11 years and why she’s so passionate about it. “When you work at a smaller niche company, many times you look around the room and you’re the most experienced person there. I wanted to learn from senior executives, the best in the world, and really grow myself as a leader.” [20.33] Darcy’s current role as Senior VP of Digital Supply Chain and Manufacturing for North America, the increasing importance of digital transformation, and what she sees from her perspective at SAP. “It’s a journey. But the good news is that digital transformation is finally starting… you don’t transform overnight but you have to have a plan, and you have to start now.” [25.34] The importance of tackling sustainability in supply chain, alongside risk, agility and resilience. “We all know it’s the right thing to do… but if you want the best people, they want to work for sustainable companies; if you want customers, they want to buy from sustainable companies – so it makes good business sense.” [29.06] Darcy’s experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry across her 30-year career. “It has changed, but not to the extent that I thought it would have, by the time my daughter came into the industry.” [34.23] Why Darcy established the award-winning Women in Supply Chain Network, and the impact it’s having on the community. “It’s great for the career path if you have aspirations to be in the C Suite – supply chain is a great background to have, because of the visibility you get across different industries.” [36.43] The difference between mentors and sponsors, and Darcy’s advice for making the most of both of them. [40.25] Darcy’s reflections on why women should dive into supply chain, and why they’re so well-suited to the industry. “There was a study that actually said, statistically, women are better suited to supply chain – and it had to do with empathy.” [43.12] Darcy’s advice for girls and women looking to follow in her footsteps.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Darcy over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from another incredible woman from SAP, check out 283: Blended – The Rise of Asian Discrimination featuring Gale, Director of Global Influencer Marketing at the leading brand. Check out our other podcasts HERE.