Faces of the Supply Chain: Distribution Sector Career Pathways
Professionals from diverse backgrounds can find meaningful, fulfilling careers in the healthcare supply chain — many developing a passion for navigating ever-changing environments and employing their logistics expertise to reliably deliver lifesaving medicines for patients.
As some of the best minds in distribution convened for the 2024 Distribution Management Conference, HDA spoke with professionals at all stages of their careers to explore paths that led to them to rewarding work. Their insights are featured in the latest installment of the Faces of the Supply Chain video series.
In part two of our two-part series, we share some of the valuable perspectives on careers in distribution highlighted during these conversations.
Finding a Career Path to the Healthcare Supply Chain
Many educational and professional experiences can set someone up for a successful healthcare supply chain career. Participants in this latest installment held degrees in genetics or were introduced to the industry through internships, among other pathways.
Greg Makin, Consultant, DSCSA/Serialization Services, Two Labs Pharma Services, explained that after working as a university recruiter, “One of my really good friends, she got a job with a logistics company...[and] she was able to get me on [their team]. And I spent 16 years within the organization ... and then had an opportunity over with the serialization team.”
Sometimes, career opportunities arose closer to home. “I grew up in a trucking company as a child ... I went on the road with dad a lot and I got to see the whole country; I’ve seen all 48 [contiguous] states,” said Clint Walker, Senior Manager, Operations, CRST Transportation, explaining his family connection to the supply chain.
The Value of a Healthcare Supply Chain Career
Recent global health events thrust the pharmaceutical supply chain into the spotlight — and, accordingly, increased the demand for logistics professionals. As Walker reflected on this evolution, “[S]upply chain kind of came to the table when [COVID-19] hit. And it became very critical ... So, supply chain, eventually, we had a seat at the table, right, we have a voice. And a lot of businesses are being driven off of how supply chain is operated ... the youth in the profession is increasing because of that need ... there's now awareness of the business.”
Emerging leaders like Kailey House, Client Development Manager, Pharma, Inmar Intelligence, shared, “[G]etting involved in the healthcare supply chain, to me, is really beneficial because it touches [many areas of healthcare], from hospital, retailer, wholesaler manufacturer, and you're really able to get exposure to every single area of the supply chain.”
Maria Garcia Hay, Associate Manager, Trade, Contracts, Operations & Customer Pricing, Regeneron, offered advice for individuals joining the industry, “[P]eople can really move things and make things happen for you, when they see your dedication,” she explained. “So, I think that would be a really [big thing] for me to say to people ... starting out in the industry, build your relationships.”
Beyond the ample demand for logistics professionals, the sense of purpose and meaning given by this line of work can offer fulfillment and increase retention. Robert Brown, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, KeySource, articulated this value when reflecting on the meaning of HDA’s tagline. “‘Health Delivered’ means ... to be able to provide resources, the medications, the services necessary to patients throughout the country, and their dispensers ... from children to seniors ... to make their lives better and healthier,” said Brown. “[T]hat's the overriding reason I get up every morning and enjoy what I do, because I know that we're making a difference here.”
Read part one of this series, which shared perspectives on distributors’ role value as problem solvers, in our previous blog post.
HDA’s Faces of the Supply Chain brings to life the people behind the scenes who make the healthcare supply chain work. For more unique perspectives, check out the full series.