As manager of supplier diversity development at JCPenney, Connie Magers coordinates supplier diversity needs in retail, catalog, Internet and procurement. Although the company’s program was established in 1972, it realizes it must continually work to improve its program.

One new focus is on supplier risk management. While financials are important, finding suppliers who are innovative, collaborative and sustainable and understand and implement the Lean Six Sigma process are also instrumental to the supplier selection process.

The company is now working on a five-year strategic plan when it comes to supplier diversity encompassing value-add, operational excellence, organizational development, customer first, sustainability, risk management and technology initiatives. In addition, its multi-tier initiative continues to be one of the key elements of its growing supplier diversity program. It is not a replacement for providing business directly with minority and women-owned suppliers, but aims to enhance JCPenney’s efforts to increase meaningful opportunities for diverse suppliers.

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“One of the things that may get in the way of people being lifelong learners is that they’re not in touch with their passion. If you’re passionate about what it is you do, then you’re going to be looking for everything you can to get better at it.” - Jack Canfield

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