Are you asking enough questions to grow your career?
Katie Huard, Senior Director of Procurement at Blount Fine Foods, discusses the importance of asking questions and how important it is to really understand the “why” behind processes. From her early passion for numbers to leading in operations and supply chain, Katie shares insights on staying curious, mastering vendor audits, and building a strong team culture. She opens up about pivotal career moments, the power of mentorship, and how one-off challenges can lead to lasting improvements. Katie’s story is a masterclass in continuous learning, leadership, and operational excellence.
Takeaways:
- Stay Inquisitive: Continuously ask “why” to challenge the status quo. Questioning existing processes fosters a deeper understanding and can uncover inefficiencies or new opportunities for improvement.
- Inspect What You Expect: Regular audits of internal processes and external vendors help ensure performance standards are met. This proactive approach catches issues early and maintains operational consistency.
- Prioritize Clear Communication: Effective communication keeps all stakeholders aligned, especially during high-pressure situations. Transparency helps mitigate issues quickly and supports better decision-making.
- Always Have a Backup Plan: Develop contingency strategies to prepare for unexpected disruptions. Having alternatives in place reduces downtime and supports smoother pivots during operational challenges.
- Use Vendor Scorecards: Implement structured evaluations for vendors based on metrics such as quality, reliability, and service. Sharing feedback promotes accountability and drives continuous improvement.
- Embrace Mentorship: Both receiving and offering mentorship can significantly accelerate growth. Learning from others’ experiences—and sharing your own—builds stronger, more resilient professionals.
- Foster Strong Relationships: Cultivate collaboration across teams and departments. Understanding others’ roles and challenges helps create a more cohesive, supportive, and high-performing work environment.
Quote of the Show:
- “Getting a hundred on everything—that’s complacency. That’s probably my kryptonite. There’s always room to make things better.”
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