Itu Otu, supplier diversity manager for Mars Chocolate North America, brings diversity into all raw materials, packaging and services categories. He uses a variety of strategies and was able to promote a strategic alliance between a major energy provider and a diverse supplier to deliver servicing of a plant. The alliance enabled the smaller diverse supplier to build capability and capacity. Itu gives much credit to the major supplier who he encouraged to commit to the relationship. His leadership style is based on the belief that the reputation a person develops determines the level of respect earned.

The guiding Mars Five Principles of Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom are the foundation of the supplier diversity program. He closely follows the NMSDC best practices in minority supplier development. They include getting senior leadership support, establishing a communication plan, formalizing supplier diversity as a strategic program, setting goals and putting continuous improvement in place. Itu built a strong first and second tier program and adds his own best practice to the guiding principles: Celebrate diverse supplier success.

Favorite Quote:

“You can’t live for the approval of every person you meet during your life time; you’ve got to live for the rightness of what you’re doing. … All you can do is all you can but all you can do is good enough.” - A. L. Williams

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