Kelly Sheveland began her career five years ago at Rockwell Automation as an intern for the Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) organization. Since then, she’s taken on new roles that have helped her understand the value of an integrated supply chain.
In one of her recent roles within Customer Care, Kelly was responsible for addressing customer concerns and expediting orders for business-critical needs during times of crisis – like natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic – and throughout the ongoing constraints that plague global supply chains.
In this role, she knew there was always a chance someone could be unhappy with a decision. Kelly, who is customer obsessed, stayed focused on the needs of the people who need Rockwell Automation products.
“I could confidently make decisions knowing I had the support of my team and my leaders,” Kelly said. “There are no right or wrong decisions. It’s a process of doing the best you can with the knowledge you have at the time. Our organization relies on transparent communications and empowered employees to do the right thing, every time, and it works.”
That empowerment works well in an organization like the ISC.
”Kelly’s cross-functional background enabled her to effectively manage across the end-to-end supply chain, while ensuring that she made the right decisions for the company and the customers. Her broad-based knowledge increased her speed of decision making amidst a highly dynamic supply chain environment,” said Kyle Lindberg, vice president, Logistics and Customer Care.
Supply Chain Career: Time To Grow
In the Customer Care job she loved, Kelly still explored an open position in the global materials organization. While she’s always been interested in building her career and learning new skills, she was worried it was a bad time to make a transition.
Then she was reminded by her manager that it’s never a good time – and it’s always a good time.
“Since my first day with the company I’ve experienced a growth journey,” Kelly explained. “Our work impacts the world and requires curiosity and forward thinking. Part of that thinking is about the next steps in your career.”
Now in her new role as a master production scheduler, Kelly ensures that the right inventory is available at the right time for customers. She’s a professional problem-solver tackling supply chain challenges from a different perspective. Rather than managing the skills of a large team as she did in her last role, Kelly is now a team of one, focused on creating more depth and breadth in her own knowledge.
“One of the things I like most about this company is how connected we are to customers, and we can only be that way because we are connected to each other,” Kelly said. “Moving to this organization gives me the opportunity to learn a different part of the business. I don’t want to stand still. Here, I’m not expected to.”
Kelly works with employees who are engaged and productive because they have a purpose concretely tied to customers and business strategy. In turn, these types of organizations – with a clearly communicated, transcendent purpose – are more capable of attracting and retaining top talent and producing the best results. And those are the employees who will make an impact.
The Right Career Path
Kelly reminds people that at the right company, a regimented career path is not necessary for success.
“Here, you have the power to be whomever you want to be,” Kelly said. “If that means you’ve created a step-by-step career path, that’s great – the resources are available. And if instead you want to explore, take chances and follow a more ambiguous approach, there’s room for that too.”
Kelly explains that, no matter where you land within the ISC organization, the organization values flexibility, individual and team development, and mentorship for all career stages.
“I’ve had mentors from the moment I walked in the door as an intern, and as I’ve taken each new role,” Kelly said. “Some relationships are the result of formal programs and others organically grow. Rather than a ladder, our approach is much broader, more flexible and fulfilling, and unique to each person.”
While the past months have been extremely difficult in every supply chain organization, Kelly is proud of the way her colleagues have handled the challenges.
“What I’ve seen is teams and people growing more agile and creative, finding new ways to help customers,” Kelly said. “In our culture you can be creative and bold. You can take risks and if something doesn’t turn out as planned, try again. Supply chain has finite resources so if something isn’t working, you have the power to change it and find a way to better use those resources.”
Learn more about how Rockwell Automation employees Bridget and Tim are navigating their Integrated Supply Chain careers and explore career opportunities here.
