MHD WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
THE POWER TO POSITIVELY INFLUENCE MHD catches up with Hayley Jarick, Chief Executive Officer of the Supply Chain Sustainability School about the importance of working for an organisation that aligns with your own personal values as well as the importance of leadership, mentorship and advocacy.
Hayley Jarick, Chief Executive Officer at the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
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hen did you first start working in supply chain or logistics? In 2004 I started working for BlueScope Steel’s export department in Port Kembla NSW. I prepared financial and shipping documentation for steel coils mostly in containers. It was a great way for me to put my undergraduate degree to use (University of Wollongong, Bachelor Commerce majoring in International Business & Legal Studies). I learnt so much in that role about the risks of international trade and how unforgiving a typo can be on a bill of lading! How long have you been in your current role? I just celebrated my one-year anniversary as CEO of the Supply Chain Sustainability School. I was on the Advisory Board of the School when it launched five years ago and was delighted to come back with a new hat on. 56 | MHD JUNE 2020
What does a standard day for you look like? I always kick off the day with a cup of tea checking emails and making any last-minute changes to my calendar. The rest of the day is then a mixed bag. As I manage a small not-for-profit it usually includes a bit of everything from finance, customer service, sales, business development, marketing, media, website development, copywriting, editing, graphic design, video editing, training resource development, event management, presenting face-toface or online, governance, reporting, strategic planning, constitutional reviews, facilitating meetings… basically whatever is needed.
and sustainable competitive advantage. Logistics or supply chain departments are, more than ever, pivotal to the future success or failure of organisations. Decisions we make daily have economic, social and environmental implications that we need be aware of, measure and mitigate in real time. It’s an incredible responsibility but also an exciting place to be!
What has been the highlight of your career so far? I think every step in my career has enabled me to be where I am today, so I am grateful for all my experiences, even those that weren’t so fun to live through. A moment that really stands out in my mind was working in sustainability for the first time. It’s where I realised how much more I could get from a job when working ‘for purpose’ and not just ‘for profit’. Until that point, I was content with trading my time and expertise for cash. I think I also misinterpreted the values that others thought I should have as my own. If you get the chance, I recommend working in role that allows you to align your personal values with an organisation’s values.
What do you like about working at the Supply Chain Sustainability School? I am incredibly lucky to work with amazing individuals from leading companies daily. Together the impact we make on the building and construction industry is incredibly positive but what I find the most amazing is the collective spirit in which it has been developed. The School is free to use and exists solely from the generosity and dedication of industry leaders who annually put their time and money where their mouth is and make sustainable knowledge freely available for everyone big and small. It warms my heart to hear that small family businesses have been able to grow and win tenders that they wouldn’t have thought to bid on before upskilling through the School. There will always be laggards who don’t want to evolve but for those who want to lead the charge there is no excuse for ignorance. In decades to come I can look back on what I am doing now and proudly tell my children and grandchildren that I helped make their world better.
What do you like about working in the logistics or supply chain industry? We are in an era when ‘transparency’ and ‘partnerships’ are driving innovation
What do initiatives like the Women in Industry Awards mean to you? As a young woman working in male dominated industries, I struggled to
