Materials Services
Supply Chain Services
Supply Chain Services
Operational Excellence at Supply Chain Services
In Conversation with Sidney (Sid Jenkins), Director of Operations Excellence - Digital Transformation
Curious about how we operate with the utmost efficiency and excellence? Read our Q&A with Sidney Jenkins, based in Greenville, South Carolina. Sidney and his team lead digitization efforts in our supply chain, working to maximize efficiency, reduce overhead costs, and enable us to be the best 3PL partner in any industry - from solar power to automotive OEMs. This Q&A was conducted with the purpose of sharing with you, potential or current customers, so that you can understand our Operational Excellence initiatives.
About Sidney Jenkins -
Based in Greenville, South Carolina, this is Sidney's first role at thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services, though he does have 25+ years of experience in various roles with the supply chain industry. Sidney is a pro working with Automotive OEMs from Operations Management to Resource Planning to Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and more. We value his expertise in Project Management, Lean Management Practices, and JIT/JIS Sequencing the most here at SCS. He has been with us for just over 2 years, and during this time we have benefited greatly from his experience, knowledge, and positive attitude. If you work with us, you should be so lucky to get to pop on a call with or meet Sidney (Sid) in person as he brings a lively spirit along with his many skills.
Q&A
What is your favorite part of working for thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services?
The team environment and the leverage we have with creativity to complete our goals in supplying lean solutions.
What do you believe sets us apart as far as Operational Excellence?
The entire OPEX team's drive is to enhance our services and work in the framework of continued improvement and growth. It's not an afterthought; it's a mission statement that is fostered by our CEO and executives.
Which methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.) do you find the most effective and why?
They are all effective if the team is clear on the use of the tools and how to apply them to the task at hand. My favorite is the process of Lean in general. Taking a process and finding waste in any form is encouraging and then using the other tools to remove waste and improve the process is rewarding and profitable.
What are the biggest challenges that impact Operational Excellence? How do you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is changing the mindset of people to believe we can make every process better if we want to dig hard enough. The only way to change the minds of the people is to meet with them one on one with continual training and mentorship. Seeing is believing.
How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement at Supply Chain Services?
Continually mentoring the people at every level. Show the successes and the challenges. Be transparent but strive for excellence and the people will start believing it.
Which trends do you see impacting Operational Excellence in the near future?
Automation, robotics, AI - All point to making processes and products better, faster and with better quality. These innovations stem from the ideas of continuous improvement. Having these advances on the market, show everyone that with ideas of improvement, you can change the world.
How do you think organizations can stay ahead in terms of operational efficiency?
Training, training and more training. It has to be part of the fabric of your organization. Encouragement to improve the processes and products must be in the language of all leadership in the organization. Others will want to emulate encouraging leadership, and this emulation will cause the teams to look and seek ways of advancing the ideas for everyone.