Nitin Shende, Certified SCMP, CMA, MBA

I started my career in public accounting in 1987 with a Peat Marwick Mitchell affiliate firm in India. Since then, I have been aware of business supply chains and the importance of understanding and managing them effectively in order to successfully achieve an organization’s objectives. Poor management of supply chains is reflected in inefficient operations, leading to sub-optimal levels of revenues and profits.

Currently, I am the Director of Business Process Management at Opta Minerals Inc., a public limited global company, out of Waterdown, ON. I have reporting responsibilities for all accounts payable, accounts receivable, standard costs, as well as for all business processes, procedures, methods, plans, and activities of my organization.

My first direct contact with supply chains started with Hitachi Construction Truck Mfg. Co., in Guelph, ON. In my capacity as first as a Supervisor, Cost Management, I came in direct contact with procurement and was mandated by the top management to assist them in effective cost management of purchased components. It was only when I started interacting with procurement at Hitachi, as well as after having an opportunity to visit our head office in Tsuchiura, Japan, that the magnitude of the relevance of supply chains dawned upon me. I then realized how inadequately prepared I was, to make a meaningful contribution to my function, unless I acquired a thorough understanding of supply chains. Fortunately, the presence of a world leader in imparting such knowledge, in the form of PMAC, provided me with the means to quickly, efficiently and effectively acquire such knowledge. The knowledge that I gained in the three years as a student in the designation program provided me with insights that have totally transformed my thinking, opened up new horizons for opportunities and made me a far superior professional. The content of the program has been profoundly meaningful to my understanding and approach to my work, which in turn has made me a very valuable contributor to my employers.

What I like best about the supply chain field is that a thorough understanding of supply chains is vital in order to be successful in working for any economic entity, whether it is for-profit, not-for-profit, or non-profit in its objectives. Each and every one of us is impacted every day by different supply chains, and in turn we impact them as members of the society. The only way to contribute effectively to society would be to understand supply chains, and how they impact any economic activity. Its reach is far beyond any specific discipline such as finance, accounting, operations, marketing, sales, logistics, etc. Supply Chains include all these functions as well as lend tremendous depth and understanding to one’s technical discipline.

My advice to anyone interested in this field would be that this set of knowledge is vital for any person who wishes to engage in any economic activity! Supply Chains impact every human being, and their understanding is very important for anyone to make a meaningful contribution to society. This program will indeed transform your entire outlook about how societies function, and what needs to be done to make such various activities efficient and effective.