Increased police patrolling in warehousing and industrial areas, and an increased presence of female staff in police stations can help create a more secure and welcoming environment for women in the industry.
The shift towards digitalization accelerated by the pandemic has had a positive impact on the hiring sentiment for women in the logistics and supply chain industry.
The logistics and supply chain industry has seen a significant increase in the number of women employees in recent years. A report by Gartner suggests that this growth can be attributed to the integration of digitization and automation, which has led to the creation of new jobs and the transformation of older ones. This has created enhanced opportunities for women in the sector, and the percentage of female staff has risen from 8-10% to 20-25%.
E-commerce has been a force multiplier for female employment in the supply chain industry.
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant expansion in the e-commerce industry, as more and more people have turned to online shopping. This has, in turn, led to an increased demand for logistics and supply chain professionals, which has opened up new opportunities for people interested in working in this field, particularly women.
Women possess skills that are well-suited for the logistics and supply chain field. Female supply chain managers and leaders in large organizations tend to be more collaborative, empathetic, and efficient in implementing solutions, which are critical for effective logistics and supply chain management.
Additionally, advancements in technology such as cloud computing, mobile devices, and powerful applications have greatly reduced the cost of starting a business. As a result, more women are breaking through traditional gender barriers and achieving success in the e-commerce industry.
At KSH Logistics, diversity and inclusion have been a key factor in the organization's growth.
We recognize the value that women bring to the industry, and we actively strive to create an inclusive and diverse work environment. Our recruitment process is skill-based, which ensures that we have a diverse workforce with the necessary expertise to drive the growth of our business.
Women have been found to be adept at various jobs across the board, including data scientists, warehouse workers (movers, pickers, packers, loaders), supply chain managers, delivery personnel, customer service executives, and call center operators.
At KSH Logistics, we prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of our employees. Our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policies are robust, and we provide a clean and hygienic work environment for all employees. We also pay special attention to the mental health and well-being of our female employees, who make up over 15% of our workforce, including security guards and housekeeping staff.
My advice for women considering a career in logistics is to approach it with a professional mindset, be willing to work hard, and be open to challenges.
The logistics and supply chain industry is growing and offers a wide range of career opportunities across segments such as sourcing, delivery, recruiting, marketing, and sustainability. If you possess a strong work ethic, an interest in problem-solving, and a drive for continuous learning, you'll be well-suited for a high-paying, secure, and rewarding career in this field.
In terms of education and skills, logistics and supply chain management programs are widely available and can provide the foundational knowledge needed to pursue a career in this field. However, it is also important to note that many roles in logistics and supply chain management can be learned on-the-job.
Two of the most challenging projects I was involved in were setting up Multi-Client Warehouses and shifting a large warehouse within a tight time frame, both were successfully completed through careful planning and team effort.
Setting up of Multi-Client Warehousing Operations at multiple locations required careful planning from a financial perspective, including arranging sufficient funds at different stages, as well as forecasting sales and supporting the operation team. While meeting these challenges, the team worked together to successfully operationalize the Multi-Client Warehouses.
Another project that presented a significant challenge was shifting an entire warehouse of approximately 100,000 sq.ft from one location to another within a 15-day time frame. As an integrated supply-chain logistics solution provider with a long-standing presence in India, we took on this challenge, and the material was moved in phases from one location to the other. Through careful systematization and planning, we were able to meet our target and complete the project within the allotted time frame and without disrupting the customer's operations.
