In this episode, I interviewed Jackie Sturm, Corporate Vice President for Global Supply Chain Operations at Intel. We discussed her career journey, which has spanned over 30 years. Jackie shared key inflection points that shaped her path, from learning from industry icons to overcoming challenges.
She discussed the need for a strategic financial perspective, diverse experiences, and digital fluency in the face of AI and data-driven decision-making. She also stressed the importance of collaboration, optimizing associated variables, and connecting the dots to the corporate strategy to build resilient supply chains.
Listen to the full discussion here:
Connect with the Guest:
After 15 years, Jackie Sturm is retiring as the Corporate Vice President of Global Supply Chain Operations in Intel’s multi-billion-dollar Global Supply Chain, which has been cited in Gartner’s Supply Chain Top 25 for 20 years. Jackie is a committed advocate for value-added manufacturing, engineering, and trade as the economic foundations of thriving societies. Jackie sponsors targeted advancement programs to address challenges faced by women and under-represented minorities in technology.
Jackie is on the advisory board for Banff International Research Station, Gartner and SAP’s Supply Chain Practices, Howard University Center for Supply Chain Management, and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Before joining supply chain, Jackie held various finance positions at Intel, including CFO for Technology and Manufacturing, as well as at Hewlett Packard, Ridge Computer, and Apple.
Jackie is a recipient of several Intel Quality Awards and she and her team have been recognized with the Intel Achievement Award – Intel’s highest standard of excellence. Jackie received the 2016 AWESOME Legendary Leader Award and has been cited in IBM, Supply Chain Digital, and Alcott Global in their Top 100 Women in Supply Chain membership.
Questions I Asked:
- What were some key inflection points in Jackie’s career?
- How did Jackie’s background in finance provide strategic thinking and financial expertise that contributed to her success in supply chain roles?
- How did Jackie emphasize the importance of critical thinking and digital fluency for supply chain professionals to stay relevant in an increasingly data-driven world?
- How did Jackie’s mindset shift from seeing relationships as win-lose to realizing collaboration is key to supply chain resilience and success?
- What advice does Jackie have for young professionals?
Show notes:
- [0:55] Can you describe the key inflection points in your career that made a significant difference in where you are today?
- [06:16] How did your background in finance provide an advantage when transitioning into supply chain management, and how did having a strong financial perspective help you in your supply chain career?
- [09:49] Can you share some insights and case studies on how Intel addressed the issue of conflict minerals, and explain the strategies and actions taken?
- [17:26] Could you share some strategies or insights on how to bring more parties to the table and address this issue, possibly drawing from your own experiences?
- [22:10] Can you share a case study or relationship story that illustrates how transitioning from finance to supply chain has impacted your mindset, particularly in terms of thinking win-win with your ecosystem?
- [27:33] What types of skills and competencies should individuals, especially those in the supply chain and operations arena, focus on developing to ensure they remain relevant in the face of ongoing AI advancements and transformations in the industry?
- [30:27] What advice would you give to younger professionals who are just starting their careers, aiming to become successful executives in the future?
Quotes from the Episode:
Soundbite from the Episode:
About the Host:
What a great discussion I had with Jackie Sturm. I am your host, Radu Palamariu, Group CEO of Alcott Global, working on C-level and top management executive search assignments with Top Fortune 500 companies and local conglomerates in value chains for manufacturing, logistics, transportation, supply chain management, and e-commerce and also the co-author of “From Source to Sold – Stories of Leadership in Supply Chain”.
Alcott Global provides Executive Search Solutions for key positions at all pillars of the end-to-end value chain: planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, e-commerce, and overall supply chain operations.
In our Makers & Movers face-to-face events, we bring together value chain executives to connect, collaborate, and innovate – a forum focused on business value creation.
Yearly, we celebrate and award the Top 30 Leaders in Supply Chain for their achievements in digitizing operations, decarbonization, and sustainability, as well as in creating a diverse and equitable environment for supply chain teams to thrive and excel.
Related Episodes:
#187: Surrounded by Idiots and How to Write a Bestseller
#188: Sennder and Lessons in Building a Trucking Unicorn
#189: Global Supply Chains, Circular Economy, and Leadership Principles
