Maddie Seitz, Supply Chain Manager at Kohler Company
“Day-to-day, I am supporting my operations staff as we move freight that across the US/Mexico border. For my project management staff, I help coach, mentor, and prioritize workload as they launch systematic enhancements and innovation within our supply chain, “ said Seitz. “Our team specializes in launching new customer delivery programs like direct import or drop ship operations to reduce total supply chain costs and decrease lead-times to our customers.”
The supply chain industry attracts individuals for a number of reasons whether its maneuvering supply chain disruptions or planning for the future. For Seitz, knowing her motivations and passions has led her to find the best possible career fit. She believes that if you can understand why you are choosing to work in supply chain, the opportunities you are searching for will be clearer and promotions more abundant.
“I love that the supply chain industry is filled with team players, attracts problem-solvers, and encourages creative thinking,” she said.
“In the supply chain, your role is connected to something greater. You’re working with a large network of people to get the final product to the end customer. Growing up playing team sports, I have always loved being a part of a team striving for a goal together. Supply chain is a team sport!”
Seitz graduated from Penn State in 2018 with a degree in supply chain and information systems and a minor in information systems management. Post-graduation, she relocated to Wisconsin and launched her career at Kohler Company, spending her first year in a leadership rotational development program. Seitz noted that in every role that she has had thus far, she has not operated alone. Her strength as a team player has been a great asset in her career.
Not only is Seitz a manager, but she is also a volunteer. She volunteers to lead Kohler’s Supply Chain and Operations Rotational Program for recruiting and alumni networking. In this role, Seitz coordinates all recruiting at the university career fairs in the fall, supports onboarding of all new rotational program associates, and schedules the monthly alumni networking events.
While her time as a student is now over, Seitz carries with her lessons learned both in the classroom and as a student athlete that help her in overcoming adversity she faces in the professional world. While at Penn State, Seifert was a pitcher on the Penn State Softball team. Being a student-athlete certainly has its benefits but can be challenging when it comes to time management.
Seitz recalls a challenge she faced and how she overcame it, noting “It was difficult with my student-athlete schedule to be involved in Smeal extracurriculars, so I focused on attending company information sessions and building my network within Smeal to get opportunities.”
By leveraging her mentors, researching companies, and expanding her network at Penn State, Seifert was able to secure opportunities that led her to her position today— a rising manager at her company.
And as a female leader, she believes that the biggest barrier to female leadership is receiving opportunities to learn or develop leadership skills.
“It is important for women to be conscience of the opportunity gaps and bias in the workplace, she noted. “I always encourage the ‘pay it forward’ mentality and challenge my network (and myself) to invite the woman behind us to join in meetings, presentations, and networking events to create more opportunities for exposure. Exposure helps develop critical thinking skills, build self-confidence, and encourages employees to try new opportunities.”
What’s up next for Seitz? She is working towards her MBA! As a part-time graduate student at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, she travels to Chicago every weekend from her home in Wisconsin to attend classes. In her free time, she loves to play golf, read, and volunteer as an assistant softball coach at the high school in her hometown.