Mary Groskin, Implementation Manager at NYU Langone Health
Overseeing large scale product implementations from committee approval to the hospital floor, Groskin leads an interdisciplinary team across supply chain, clinicians, vendors, and more to execute successful product implementations.
And it means that when the world was blindsided by COVID-19, Langone Health was too.
"Working for a hospital system in New York City at that time, all our roles had to shift," she recalled. "It was full force sourcing— medical devices, masks, gowns, PPE— we took anything we could get our hands on. What came out of that level of urgency was finding better ways of working with one another and how to make decisions quicker and faster."
Mary remembers how her team got buy-in from clinicians and doctors at the hospital who didn't know about supply chain before.
"Well, they know us now," she said, smiling.
For Mary, working in supply chain is a multi-faceted experience— and one that she encourages all women who pursue the career to remember their inner strength and confidence.
"There are [indeed] barriers for women; in my experience, women often have to prove themselves for leadership positions within an organization," she explained. "To move forward through those barriers, I'd recommend building relationships and a network within the organization with both males and females."
Atop of these professional barriers, Mary shares some personal challenge she has encountered and learned from.
"There were moments in my career where there wasn't as much demand in my personal life so my foot was full down on the gas pedal; as time progressed, however, priorities make you back off that gas pedal and it means putting in the best you can give during that day," she said. "I think that women who balance a lot in their life need to understand that it's not going to be full throttle all the time. You are going to back off that gas pedal and that's OK!"
Mary also advises women to trust their instincts and hold their ground — she encourages readers to not take "no" for an answer if they know it's not the fair or right one. She recommends for anyone who is told, "No, come back later" to then ask when is a good time and stand firm in your follow up.
"When you go to a meeting, sit in the middle of the table— sit where the men are," she said, passionately. "Don't be afraid to be wrong. Women often say sorry when there is nothing to be sorry about; just follow your heart and don't try to disappear. Share your opinions!"
Mary is excited for the future as she predicts more and more women will acquire leadership roles in the supply chain industry. Since graduating in 2011 from Penn State with a degree in supply chain management and information systems, she has seen a lot of progress – one being that Langone Health now has a female vice president.
When it comes to advice to future graduates, Mary emphasizes the versatility of supply chain and suggests that students remember that there are so many parts to the field. Whether it be manufacturing, distribution, procurement, or sustainability, no supply chain student should feel confined to one area.
"For the future of supply chain overall, I see technology being the biggest driver of change and building efficiencies in supply chain," she said. "To meet these unmet needs— to prepare for the 'unforecastable'— that's going to be the biggest driver, for sure."