Women in Procurement and Supply Chain: PSC LIVE London 2024
The Women in Procurement & Supply Chain panel at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London Global Summit highlighted the opportunities and challenges women face in our industries and marked the path forward to create a better tomorrow.
Featuring Miriam Quattrone, Director of Regions Procurement Indirect Materials & Services at Philip Morris International, Rebecca Simpson, Chief Procurement Officer at Royal Mail Group and Regina Arriagada, Global Head of Procurement Technical and Logistics at Nestlé, this panel discussion explored the current landscape for women in procurement and supply chain.
Rebecca reflects on her extensive career in traditionally male-dominated sectors, emphasising how the procurement field has evolved. “I think the challenge and the opportunity is really still not just procurement and supply chain, it’s how we lift women up and give them the opportunity for those more senior roles.”
Rebecca highlights areas to improve in, noting how the field has broadened to include areas like sustainability, ethics and ESG, creating space for diverse talents.
Building careers through mentoring and inclusion
Mentorship emerges as a recurring theme throughout the panel discussion.
Miriam shares her insights on how companies like Philip Morris International have made diversity and inclusion (D&I) a priority, providing mentorship programmes to empower women.
“We need to stop and think who we want to be in the next five years and be very clear with our aspirations,” she says, adding that clear career planning and networking are essential for growth.
Regina reinforces the importance of mentorship at Nestlé, mentioning their Women Mentor Cycle programme.
She urges women to voice their ambitions confidently, saying, “Speak up for what you want and voice that over to your company and your network because there's someone that's going to be listening to you.”
The panellists also stress the role of sponsorship in advancing careers, particularly for women hesitant to self-promote.
Sponsorship, they note, helps leaders identify and nurture potential talent within their organisations.
Practical steps for change
The panel also addresses structural changes needed to create a level playing field.
Flexible working policies, equal pay initiatives and a focus on building diverse pipelines of future leaders are highlighted as essential measures.
Nestlé, for instance, partners with suppliers to extend D&I initiatives across their value chain.
On a personal level, balancing professional and personal responsibilities was a recurring theme.
Miriam shares how support networks, both at home and work, are critical to achieving balance.
“Women don’t have a work-life balance - not in the office or at home. We have to work, work, work. And then we need to pick up the right balance between orchestrating the family case and the professional life.”
An important takeaway was the call for male allies in the workplace.
Male leaders are encouraged to create opportunities, offer sponsorship and actively promote inclusivity.
“I would say for those male leaders it’s about inclusiveness and consideration and ensuring that within your companies you have this planning and succession that consider both genders also helping women growth given then the chances,” says Regina, urging organisations to embed D&I into their corporate behaviours and strategies.
This engaging conversation makes it clear that while progress has been made, the journey towards true gender balance in procurement and supply chain is ongoing.
Essential diary dates for 2025
Discover the essential diary dates for Procurement Magazine and Supply Chain Digital, as well as its sister publications – Manufacturing Digital and Sustainability Magazine.
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2025 diary dates:
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Singapore | 11 February
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: Sustainability | 5-6 March
- Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero | 5-6 March
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Dubai | 29 April
- Sustainability LIVE Chicago | 4-5 June
- Procurement LIVE Chicago | 4-5 June
- Supply Chain LIVE Chicago | 4-5 June
- Manufacturing & LIVE Chicago | 4-5 June
- Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London | 23-24 September
- The Global Procurement & Supply Chain Awards | 24 September
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