Her Story
About Kate
I've been in purchasing, forecasting, and supply chain since 2010, with about 10 to 12 years of total experience in this field. I just started at a new company where I work as a buyer for a large wholesale specialty food company. In this role, I meet with suppliers and do all of the purchasing, both domestic and international, for the company. My previous position was as a forecaster and buyer, where I worked at that company for about 5 years, with about a year in that specific combined role. What inspired me to get into this field is that I've always loved working with numbers and working with people, and this is really the perfect opportunity to combine both. I can take what I'm good at, which is working with numbers and statistics, and also being a good partner, a good business partner, and combine them. My most notable professional achievement so far is growing in my confidence to handle large decisions and large dollar amounts, building confidence in making decisions that impact businesses in a strong way.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kate
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my positive attitude. I try to bring the energy I'm looking to create.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to look for the companies that are willing to invest in you. If the company isn't willing to invest in you, that's a red flag. So look for the companies that are willing to invest in you, train you, coach you, mentor you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Lift other women up. I have a tendency to repeatedly enter male-dominated industries, and be the kind of woman who lifts other women up.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, there's so much that is growing and changing within supply chain and within the industry, and it's changing at a really fast pace due to AI integration. As quickly as I can learn things is how quickly things are changing. I will learn a new skill set, and then it will become outdated as quickly as I have learned it. And so that is the biggest challenge, is staying on top of the new skills that are coming with AI integration right now.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I always tell my kids, when I send them off to school, I tell them, work hard and be kind. Those are the values that guide me in both my work and personal life.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Texas
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.