QUESTION

ANSWER

What are your duties and responsibilities?

Since 2001, I have been involved in supplier diversity. It all started with the opportunity to work with the certification committee for the Women’s Business Council-Southwest.  After working with those talented remarkable women from the Southwest Business Council, I knew this would be the new career choice I wish to pursue at UPS. In 2002, I joined the Corporate Supplier Diversity team in Atlanta, Georgia.

My job is to hook up Minority and Women-Owned business with our commodity buyers at UPS. Sometimes it might not be a good fit at UPS so; I will also use my networking to see if that company can get connected to other companies.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I feel blessed to have a career in which I have a strong passion for and really enjoy. I feel supported in my job from a company that has supported diversity throughout its 101 years. 

It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to work and be associated with so many great women business owners everyday. The movers and shakers are these women entrepreneurs.

How long have you worked with UPS?

During my 28-year career at UPS, I have held a number of positions within the company including district controller positions in Colorado, California and Texas. As a Controller, my responsibilities included purchasing, supplier relations and technical support as well as other aspects of finance. In the area of commodity support, I served as district coordinator for United Way and worked on UPS Congressional Awareness and Neighbor-to-Neighbor employee volunteerism programs. In 2005, I had the opportunity to teach supervisors and managers at UPS Corporate Leadership School’s Kansas City, Missouri location.

How can WBEs get noticed by UPS?

Advice to give WBE’s: Work the 10 steps to Success

1. Get Certified and Get Involved
2.  Know How to Sell Yourself and Your Company
3.  The Golden Key - Advance Planning and Research
4.  Pick the Right Point-of-Entry
5.  Be Ready for the $64K Question
6.  Know When to Cut Your Losses
7.  Look for Customers Who are Committed to Supplier Diversity
8.  Seriously Consider Partnerships and Joint Ventures
9.  Seek Mentor Relationships to Bolster Weak Areas
10.  Practice; Patience,  Persistence and Perseverance

How do you become a vendor/supplier to UPS?

If you are interested in UPS procurement opportunities you should review the company’s strategies and its global and competitive environment.    Whether you’re in the business of uniforms, information technology, marketing services or advertising, UPS encourages all WBE’s to learn more about the company and its Supplier Diversity Process at www.community.ups.com.  If you have any questions you can also reach the UPS Supplier Diversity office at (866) 577-0632 or diversity@ups.com.

What trends do you see?

Business and Supplier Diversity Trends:

• Global sourcing (low cost country sourcing)
• Mergers/Acquisitions
• Strategic Alliance/Joint Venture Development

WBEs need to increase their knowledge on global sourcing. WBENC continue to have workshops on this topic to help the WBEs.