To ensure the Supplier Diversity program at Tractor Supply is aligned with business objectives and integrated into business practices, Candice Sams, Head of Supplier Inclusion, established the pillars of Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Delivery for the newly formed program. Best practices include establishing clear goals, comprehensive supplier development, and developing partnerships. Candice partnered with WBENC to develop and host a virtual education session on supplier diversity, during which she described the elements of the successful program she developed at Tractor Supply. She focuses on inclusivity to drive a fundamental change in vendor engagement.
Candice stays abreast of technological advances and actively pursues learning opportunities. She advocates for Tractor Supply to provide the resources that empower diverse suppliers. As a Council of Supplier Diversity Professionals member, she is developing a ChatGPT bot tailored to Supplier Diversity best practices, including mitigating biases. Top leaders have supported Candice from Day One, demonstrating their full commitment to supplier diversity efforts. She collaborates with advocacy groups to advance supplier diversity industry-wide.