Join us in welcoming Anjli Patel, Vice President of Global Procurement at MCC Label, to the AWESOME community! We are excited to have her share her insights, experiences, and vision for the future of supply chain leadership with the AWESOME community.
Anjli is a Procurement executive with over 20 years of Procurement experience in various manufacturing environments focused on raw material sourcing. She has a Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Operations Management and recently completed the Executive leadership academy at Harvard Business School. Currently, Anjli leads the global strategy and execution for raw materials at MCC Label. This includes procurement responsibilities across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. She also oversees the company’s ongoing efforts surrounding contract management, strategic procurement practices, sustainability efforts, supplier relationship management and driving improvements in EBITA. She and her husband have an active 15 year old boy and together they enjoy traveling the world learning and embracing different cultures. Anjli’s leadership philosophy emphasizes empathy, continuous learning, and the importance of empowering others. This, too, was crucial in shaping her ongoing leadership journey.
Welcome to AWESOME, Anjli!
AWESOME
Anjli, I’m so happy to welcome you to the AWESOME community. My first question for you is, what excites you most about this network?
Anjli Patel
I think it’s the plethora of networking opportunities that AWESOME offers, and beyond networking, it’s about providing a new foundation of education and tools for women all over the world in different industries. I had the opportunity to attend my first symposium in Arkansas recently, and hearing from industry leaders speak about how they overcame challenges and obstacles was inspiring. It helped me understand how I, too, can overcome similar bottlenecks and roadblocks. Seeing hundreds of women in supply chain, walking the talk, was a great opportunity and session for me.
AWESOME
That’s wonderful. It’s exciting to hear that the last symposium was your first. Were there any particular insights or lessons that stood out to you?
Patel
Absolutely. Having a voice is critical. There shouldn’t be a hesitation on speaking up or asking questions. I’ve learned that women are speaking up more and supporting each other’s ideas as well as collaborating. The symposium emphasized standing up, speaking up, and voicing your opinion because it could lead to the next major idea or innovation.
AWESOME
I love that insight. It’s powerful.
Patel
It was also inspiring to hear the executive male panelists at the symposium echo the importance of speaking up. They supported it wholeheartedly. Many people ask me who my mentors were or are, and a lot of my mentors throughout my leadership journey have been male.
AWESOME
That tends to be the case, especially in male-dominated fields. I’d love to switch gears a bit and learn more about you and your background. Can you share any significant achievements or challenges you’ve encountered?
Patel
Early on, people have always asked how or why I got into supply chain as a female. I think I’ve always had a knack for it since childhood. My father was an Engineer, and I used to go to work with him on weekends. Watching him coordinate everything from running down technical issues with materials to collaborating with so many different personnel, while working in a place with large pieces of equipment at a young age gave me an adrenaline rush. I knew I wanted to be part of that noisy, fast-paced, complex environment. I’m grateful for that early exposure leading me to where I am today. 20 years later, I’ve had several achievements accomplished, but none without challenge. Professional demands and handling a healthy household are something I’m extremely proud of and have been my biggest achievement.
AWESOME
That’s an amazing story. Did you ever learn to drive a forklift like you wanted?
Patel
I haven’t yet and am curious if my colleagues would let me near a forklift today! Being in the plants keeps me connected to the work on the operations side of the business, which is where I learn and get my adrenaline.
AWESOME
Can you tell me more about your career background and how it progressed?
Patel
I went to a small private school for operations management right out of high school. My first job was as a purchasing agent at a large distribution company in the U.S., and my career took off from there. Building a strong network, moving from a materials buyer to a purchasing manager, Director, and now VP of a global organization. My trajectory involved adapting to different roles and industries, building credibility, and gaining trust, which has been key to my success.
AWESOME
That’s a really impressive career background. It sounds like collaboration and tenacity have been central to your journey.
Patel
Building credibility and trust have been crucial. My focus in any new role is to gain the trust of my team first. This approach has helped me overcome challenges and build strong, engaged teams. Even today, I consider my team members as my mentors just as my executive leadership team. Being open to two-way mentorship is important.
AWESOME
That’s a great perspective. What are some key opportunities and challenges facing women leaders in supply chain today, and how can AWESOME address those?
Patel
One key opportunity is getting out of your comfort zone. It’s okay to be uncomfortable and take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Mistakes are learning opportunities, not just for us but for others as well. AWESOME can help by encouraging women to voice their opinions and take risks, providing a support network to build confidence and credibility.
AWESOME
How do you balance the demands of leadership with personal and professional growth? What strategies have you found effective?
Patel
My husband and I have a 15 year old son (who keeps us very busy)! I have been fortunate to have a strong support system at home. Finding an organization that embodies the same culture of balance is key. I’ve been fortunate to work for companies that prioritize work-life balance. My family and professional support systems help me manage both areas effectively. It’s about finding an environment that respects personal space and priorities.
AWESOME
It sounds like you’ve found your people.
Patel
Definitely. Working in a male-dominated industry, it’s important to find a company that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and family-first values. I’m fortunate to be in such an environment.
AWESOME
What advice would you offer to women aspiring to be leaders in supply chain?
Patel
Go for it! Build your network early on and don’t be afraid to seek mentorship. It will aid in building strong connections across various verticals. Remain resilient and know that this demanding field can be very rewarding.