Potent leaders are important to any business function, but logistics management demands unique leadership capabilities. Since logistics represents a large investment for most companies, a strong leader must develop innovative solutions, and optimize logistics & supply chain strategy and operations to gain a competitive advantage. One such exemplary leader succeeding at the top level of supply chain and logistics is Sarita Das.

Sarita Das, Co-founder & Director at SS Supply Chain Solutions is a veteran business leader, who brings 26 years of industry expertise in successfully steering SS Supply Chain Solutions to thrive in the market. In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur Magazine, Sarita Das walks us through her explicit professional journey and her unique take on SS Supply Chain Solutions.

Take Us Through Your Early Education Journey And Prior Industry Experience. What Are Some Of The Key Lessons That Aid You In Leading SS Supply Chain Solutions Today? I pursued my management in HR from Symbiosis, and prior to joining SS Supply Chain Solutions, I worked in various industrial verticals for about 16 years and held different leadership positions in organizations of repute. The most crucial lesson I learned during my professional career irrespective of the industry is the ability to take risks, make decisions, and manage resources, whether it is in terms of infrastructure, people relationship, or cash flow.

Significantly, business understanding is the key for any leader to succeed, regardless of which functions they perform, whether HR, finance, or operations. One cannot conduct a validation or any successful stint, regardless of entrepreneurship or organization, unless they have an understanding of the business and a zest for learning and improving.My professional and personal experiences in different organizations have also aided the way I choose to lead my organization and now I’ve completed a decade as an entrepreneur at 3SC.

What Led To The Foundation Of SS Supply Chain Solutions?

SS Supply Chain Solutions was incorporated in 2012 as a bootstrap company with the vision of bridging the gap that was existent between the services being offered by a lot of multinational organizations. In terms of the logistics and supply chain industry, India has its own unique set of challenges that we hoped to solve. Thus, we launched 3SC with a bouquet of service offerings which customers could pick and choose from. We gave them the option of selecting only relevant solutions rather than delivering the consolidated pack. Also, we provided a lot of customization options when it came to software solutions and service offerings which itself started creating a differentiation in the market.

What Are The Various Roles & Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At SS Supply Chain Solutions? What Are Some Of The Most Pressing Challenges That You Face As A Co-Founder And Director?

I've been wearing multiple hats in the organization including managing finance, HR, IT operations, and customer relationship. However, now that we have a professional CFO on board, I am focusing more on my role as a CHRO in order to keep the firm focused on the objectives and goals that we have established as a full-time director.

“The intrinsic fire and desire to succeed is something that we all as women entrepreneurs or professionals should recognize”

Engaging and maintaining the team directionally oriented at all times while we expand in diverse directions is one of the biggest responsibilities and challenge at the same time. Moreover, acquiring the right talent, grooming fresh talent, developing brand image, and always updating and innovating the offerings or products that we have are some of the challenges and priorities that we are constantly working on.

What Has Been The Driving Force Behind Your Success As An Entrepreneur?

The passion to develop and create something and give back to society, whether it is in terms of generating employment opportunities for individuals, uplifting the infrastructure of the areas, or improving the community as a whole, is the driving force that always inspires me to strive even farther. All in all, we want to create an organization that has its own niche offering and is technologically advanced. The underlying ideology is to improve efficiency and assist organizations in doing so, all the while contributing to society by creating and generating employment.

What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Who Also Aspire To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

We each carry our own unique set of amazing strengths and I believe that we, as women, should be very proud of the abilities that we are born with. We need to capitalize on the subtleties that we are born with as women and develop them further. The driving force from within is the only thing that lasts long. The intrinsic fire and desire to succeed is something that we all as women entrepreneurs or professionals should recognize. As the adage goes 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ So situations are always going to be tough around, but I think

Sarita Das, Co-Founder & Director, SS Supply Chain Solutions

Sarita Das is a passionate business leader who graduated from Symbiosis with a degree in HR management. Sarita Das has 26 years of professional experience and has worked in a variety of industries. In SS Supply Chain Solution, she has worn many hats, including managing finance, HR, IT operations, and customer relations. She is currently concentrating on her role as a CHRO in order to keep the company focused on its aims and goals.