Join us in welcoming Annemie Wagemans, Director of Enterprise Transformation at The Chemours Company, to the AWESOME community! With over 20 years of experience, Annemie is an expert Global Director in supply chain, digital transformation, change leadership, logistics, operations, and customer service. Annemie joined us for a conversation from Belgium, and we are thrilled to share her experience and insights with the AWESOME community.
Annemie is an inspiring pioneer in the world of technology and supply chain management. With a deep-seated passion for change and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Annemie has embarked on a remarkable journey within Chemours. A journey that has made her explore new territories and experience diverse cultures in four different countries.
Annemie recently stepped into a new role as Global Director of Enterprise Transformation, but in her previous role as Global Director of Supply Chain Business Transformation, Annemie’s mission is clear: to bring Chemours’ supply chain into the 21st century by driving the digital revolution throughout the supply chain. She was also the leader of Chemours’ Global Supply Chain Council, a crucial decision-making body supported by Chemours’ executive team.
Annemie’s impressive career rests on a solid foundation of education. She earned her MBA from the prestigious Vlerick Business School, a testament to her commitment to continuous growth and development.
Currently, Annemie calls Belgium her home, and she is a wonderful example of women not only thriving in the digital industry, but also driving profound transformation and innovation in the field of supply chain management.
AWESOME
Annemie, we’re so happy to welcome you to the AWESOME community. I’d love to hear what excites you about this network.
Annemie Wagemans
I first became familiar with AWESOME through a Gartner event you hosted, and that sparked my interest. I’ve been in supply chain for many years, and while my company is doing well in this area, there aren’t many women in the field. When I attend events, I often find myself in a predominantly male audience with only a few women. I’m also involved in the women’s network within my company, so I’m passionate about supporting women in their careers, especially in supply chain, where I’ve been for so long. That’s why I was drawn to AWESOME.
AWESOME
It sounds like the networking opportunities and being surrounded by women leaders in supply chain really resonate with you. I’d love to learn more about your career background. Can you share your journey with us?
Wagemans
I graduated in 2000 and started my career with an ocean carrier, which led me into logistics and eventually into supply chain. I later moved to one of the carrier’s customers, which brought me into the chemical industry. My roles evolved from logistics to operations, customer service, and back to supply chain management, eventually becoming the supply chain manager for EMEA. Then, I transitioned to logistics for the EMEA region and later moved into the digital and data analytics side of supply chain initiatives. Now, I’m part of enterprise transformation, broadening my scope beyond supply chain. Throughout my career, I’ve lived in four different countries, and this is now my 11th role at The Chemours Company—I’ve had some incredible opportunities.
AWESOME
That’s amazing! It sounds like you’ve had a lot of multicultural and diverse experiences. What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
Wagemans
One of the biggest challenges I faced was during my time in Russia. Although it’s officially part of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region in our company, the cultural differences were significant. I didn’t speak the language, and living in Moscow was a huge cultural shift for me. I had to rely on other ways to communicate since very few people spoke English outside of work. It was a challenging time, but it taught me a lot about myself. I even learned the Cyrillic alphabet just to navigate simple things like taking the metro or reading signs. It was tough, but I found ways to adapt.
AWESOME
That does sound really challenging. Learning to adapt like that speaks volumes about your resilience. In your opinion, what are some of the opportunities and challenges facing women in supply chain today?
Wagemans
As I mentioned, supply chain is still a male-dominated field. Even though I’ve noticed more women at events over the years, it’s still not enough. Whether it’s in meetings or when working with suppliers, there are still very few women. One of the challenges we face is the need to raise our voices and ensure we’re heard in these environments. It’s essential to make extra efforts to be a part of the conversation in a male-dominated industry.
AWESOME
Switching gears a bit, how do you balance the demands of leadership with personal and professional growth?
Wagemans
That’s a good question. Personally, I don’t think I’m the best example because I work many hours, and my work-life balance isn’t always ideal. I try to maintain a balance, and it’s better now, but there have been times when work has taken over. I love working hard and have a lot of energy, which sometimes leads to neglecting the personal side of life. However, I’ve become strict about keeping my weekends free to recharge. Disconnecting over the weekend has been important for me to start the new week refreshed. It’s a small break, but it makes a big difference.
AWESOME
I love this question because everyone has a different approach. It’s important to find what works best for you. As we wrap up, what advice would you offer to women aspiring to leadership roles in supply chain?
Wagemans
One key piece of advice is to speak up. As women, we often focus on the things we can’t do rather than what we can. For example, if a job listing has ten requirements and we can do seven, we might hesitate to apply because we’re not confident about the other three. Men, on the other hand, might apply even if they can only do half of the requirements. So, my advice is to focus on your strengths, take the opportunities that come your way, and don’t be afraid to grab them.