MRA Global Sourcing

The clues to your future are often hidden in your past. If you’re going through a career transition or looking to initiate some kind of change, you might just benefit from looking backwards before plowing ahead. My first internship in Pakistan was at one of the largest manufacturing conglomerates in the country, focusing on purchasing. It was a formative experience but at the time I never expected that it would be something I’d end up getting involved in later in life. Fast forward several years ahead when I was fresh out of business school – I had limited work experience and was open to any opportunity that came my way. After a bunch of interviews with different firms, I landed a job at Navistar, a manufacturing powerhouse for trucks, diesel engines, and buses. I was fortunate enough to have options but this one just felt right…and it was. My time at the firm was very important for my development and saw me work under Howard Levy, who became a crucial mentor for me in my early career. Looking back, my early exposure to manufacturing, seemingly a detour at the time, was actually a step towards where I was meant to be. So if you’re thinking about where to go next, try thinking about where you’ve already been. You might just find what you’re looking for.

MRA Global Sourcing has teamed up with a high-growth, PE-backed manufacturer in the healthcare space to source a talented Production Planner with experience in supply chain & materials management. The position will be based onsite in the greater Philadelphia area. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a global leader. Don't miss out! #planning #scheduling #APICS

As we enter 2024, remember how tempting it is to pay attention to the loud, confident voices in our lives (in meetings, in teams, in families, in society). However, the deep thinkers who hold back often have the key you need to unlock our problems and move things forward. It’s not just a question of listening, it’s listening for the right things from the right people. It's not that I am picking on loud people. I am not saying, for example, that people who talk more, who are more extroverted, don't ever have the answers. Of course, they do. The thing is, when people who talk more (or more confidently, or more smoothly, or more openly) have the answer, people already know about it because it's already being expressed. Nor am I saying that everyone who is quiet has the answer. It's obviously true that someone who is not speaking may not have the answer. The thing is, when people don't talk as much (or as confidently, or as smoothly, or as openly) but they have the answer, people won't know because it isn't being expressed. It takes a particular approach to facilitation, to team dynamics, to creating team rules and expectations to make sure the best ideas win out. Here are a few ways to do this: 1. Frame the decision to be made: what the decision is, why it matters, how the decision will be made 2. Send it in advance along with the ask that each person comes prepared to share their POV with data to support it 3. Ask people to write down answers before talking i.e. a write-storm before they brainstorm 4. Set rules of the road: an obligation to speak up, a culture of listening, a rule of not dominating, and a commitment to support the decision once it’s been made 5. Facilitate the conversation: ask for quiet voices to speak up 6. Have louder voices restate what others have said before jumping in with their own opinions 7. Nobody speaks twice until everyone has spoken once 8. Divide up the group into subgroups to solve the problem separately and come together to share their different ideas 9. Ask people to switch sides and argue against their own position #listenright #decipher #discern Effortless https://lnkd.in/gizMz9U Essentialism https://lnkd.in/g82e5uGK Podcast https://lnkd.in/eaDjxm6M

I'm spreading the news - MRA Global Sourcing is in search of a dynamic global supply chain leader in the Northeast for an innovative tech equipment manufacturer. This role will be based onsite in Connecticut and requires significant experience leading a team of global supply chain pros.

MRA Global Sourcing is on the hunt for experienced Global Sourcing Leaders to join a multi-billion dollar healthcare manufacturer. Categories to lead include Resins & Injection Molding, Chemicals & Adhesives, Packaging, and CAPEX. If you're interested in being a part of a cutting-edge team, please reach out. #sourcingandprocurement #categorymanagement #healthcare