As manager of supplier diversity and development for Nestlé Business Services in North America, Karen Blackwell is proud to have developed an internal culture in the group that has resulted in buyers becoming more aware of and supportive of supplier diversity. The buyers under her supervision are responsible for and authorize diverse suppliers in their ongoing procurement decisions. Since Nestlé spends billions of dollars each year, it is impossible to micromanage the inclusion of minority, women and veteran-owned businesses in the numerous procurement activities that are executed each day. As a result, the actives manager of supplier diversity and development for Nestlé Business Services in North America, Karen Blackwell is proud to have developed an internal culture in the group that has resulted in buyers becoming more aware of and supportive of supplier diversity. The buyers under her supervision are responsible for and authorize diverse suppliers in their ongoing procurement decisions.

Since Nestlé spends billions of dollars each year, it is impossible to micromanage the inclusion of minority, women and veteran-owned businesses in the numerous procurement activities that are executed each day. As a result, the active engagement of buyers with supplier diversity is what Blackwell considers the company’s top supplier diversity achievement. Blackwell is also pleased that Nestlé considers diverse suppliers as important strategic partners in its quest for innovation and advancement. Diverse suppliers often have greater connections to trends, public sentiment and various segments of the community, creating additional roles for them.

Favorite Quote

“Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the titanic.”

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