Her Story
About Rushitha
Rushitha Datla serves as Associate Procurement Specialist in the supply chain field, representing Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. She brings more than four years of combined experience to her role, with three years gained in India before completing her bachelor's degree in May 2024 and additional U.S. experience beginning in January. Her expertise centers on the full procurement cycle, including purchase order creation, negotiations, historical price analysis, supplier selection, scorecards, risk analysis, contract management, invoice mismatch resolution, and collaboration with project and warehouse teams to ensure timely material delivery while controlling surplus and costs. She utilizes her company's specialized ERP system, Asset Suite Egg. Datla earned her master's degree from Purdue University in December 2025 after arriving in the U.S. in August 2024. Among her notable achievements, she secured both an internship and full-time employment immediately upon graduation as an international student, attended the CSCMP Conference in Washington, D.C. in October 2025, and was featured in Purdue's article and website. She also volunteered as a local supply ambassador assembling hygiene kits for the Hazard House homeless shelter in Illinois. Datla attributes her success to hard work and meaningful networking, and she values mutual respect, integrity, openness to learning, and continuous upskilling, particularly with AI and data handling.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rushitha
01What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. Networking is important - meet new people and know their journeys rather than seeing it as transactional. Connect on a personal level.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Ask questions to save time and understand processes better. Always upskill yourself because times are changing fast, especially with AI - know how to handle data and give the right input for proper output.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be mentally prepared to work hard and come out of your comfort zone. Ask questions, network with people, showcase your talent because if you're an introvert and talented people won't know it. Grab every opportunity and always have a plan B.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Automation and rapid technology growth is both challenge and opportunity. Companies must adapt and take change management seriously from the grassroots level, which is complex when many people are involved.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Treat others with respect and mutual respect. Integrity and understanding where people are coming from. Be open and willing to learn, take advice, improve yourself, and handle criticism and feedback supportively.
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