Women in Supply Chain: Kimberly Cardella of Siemens

The supply chain industry is a predominantly male one. Females only represent 37% of the workforce and 15% of senior vice president (SVP), executive vice president (EVP), and C-Suite positions, according to MIT's Women in Supply Chain Initiative. In our latest series, Women in Supply Chain, SC247 is speaking with women in different roles to provide insights into the realities of working in this industry.

In this edition, we spoke with Kimberly Cardella, an Inventory Analyst at Siemens, about her start at Siemens, the experience of being a young female in the warehouse, and the joy of mentoring other women.

Supply Chain 24/7: Hi Kimberly. Can you share a little about your background and start in the supply chain industry?

Kimberly Cardella; I was born and raised in Sacramento, and went to Sacramento Community College for two years to study medicine. As a student, I was always dedicated to finishing what I started, a lesson I learned from my parents while growing up. My involvement in the supply chain started on a whim. In early September 2020 during Covid, I heard through a family friend that Siemens’ warehouse was hiring. I applied for a bunch of jobs but Siemens was the only company that reached out for an interview. I never thought my career would start in a warehouse.

SC247: What was your first role at Siemens?

KC: At 19, I started working at Siemens Mobility as a Material Handler I for Receiving Inspection. I flourished in my department and was lucky to have a leader who took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. After six months I became Champion for my area and gave customers walk-throughs of our day-to-day processes, contacted vendors for shipment issues, and trained multiple employees.

Several months later, I was selected for the Conveyance Team Lead, which is one of the hardest roles in the warehouse. My team was on the front line with production, providing materials and putting out fires (a lot of fires) on the production floor. I attended many meetings and was the face of the warehouse team. If there was an issue, I was the “go-to” person. A year later I was promoted to Siemens Customer Sales as an Inventory Specialist.

SC247: What do you do on a day-to-day basis in your current position?

KC: I assist with day-to-day inventory transactions and help create a sustainable and disciplined inventory plan. I guide a team of cycle counters that go through all our materials from three warehouses and investigate any inventory discrepancies. I also hold an Events Chair position in the Women’s Impact Network at Siemens (WIN@S).

“During my first week, one of the older gentlemen said, 'Good luck, girly, we’ll see how long you last.' I took that as a challenge.”

SC247: Statistically speaking, warehouse jobs are predominantly held by men. Did you have any apprehension before taking on a warehouse job?

KC: I definitely had apprehension working in a male-dominated field. During my first week, one of the older gentlemen said, “Good luck, girly, we’ll see how long you last.” I took that as a challenge. Because of how I was raised, I know I can do anything better than the next person if I work ten times as hard and am willing to learn and adapt to any situation.

SC247: You've had great success in reaching the level you're at. What do you think about your personality or temperament that has helped you thrive throughout your tenure at Siemens?

KC: Adaptability has helped me progress in my time here at Siemens. A few other traits that come to mind are dependability, task-oriented, problem-solving, creativity, and assertiveness—when needed.

SC247: Do you have kids? How’s your work-life balance?

KC: I am six months pregnant with my first child. Balancing work and being pregnant has been one of the biggest challenges in my life. Slowing down from a fast-paced position because of my pregnancy has been a learning experience.

“I know I can do anything better than the next person if I work ten times as hard and am willing to learn and adapt to any situation.”

— Kimberly Cardella

SC247: What’s the best part of your job?

KC: Mentoring my team. They have every opportunity here at Siemens to thrive and better themselves, and I say that as a woman in the supply chain who started at the bottom. I am also proud to be an advocate for young ladies starting in the mobility industry.

SC247: What would you tell a female college student who is thinking of a career in the supply chain and/or warehouse?

KC: Don’t knock it until you try it because that's the only way to learn if something is right for you. It is one thing to read a book or article about an industry, but it is another thing to be out in the field and solving an issue that helps deliver a multi-million-dollar train car out the door to a customer.

SC247: Okay, let's do some rapid-fire questions before we go. What’s the last book you read?

KC: The Simplest Pregnancy Book in the World

SC247: What’s your favorite podcast?

KC: I love Women of Impact with Lisa Bilyeu.

SC247: Do you have a hobby that relaxes you after a long day?

KC: I run a couple of miles—which will not happen again for a while.

SC247: What’s the first job you ever had?

KC: I was an Alta Care home health worker.

SC247: What would you be doing if not in the supply chain industry?

KC: I'd be working in the aviation industry.

SC247: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

KC: If you are not receiving the support you need from your superior, it is okay to go above them. And be friendly to everyone because you never know who you will encounter in later years.

SC247: Do you have a professional role model or someone you admire?

KC: My role model is Veronica Hernandez, my mentor here at Siemens. No matter the odds she faces she continuously supports her team and makes the best decisions for the company.

SC247: If you could sit down for coffee with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

KC: Harriet Tubman. She was a powerful, determined woman and it would be an honor to sit with her. She took matters into her own hands, not only freeing herself, but also 300 slaves including families. She sacrificed her own life for the greater good. Many people doubted her capabilities, and part of that was because she was an African American woman.