Role/Company: Supply Chain Director, Asset Solutions, Petrofac
Current Work Location: Aberdeen, UK
How would you describe your job to a 10 year old?
My twin boys often ask what I do (although not quite 10 yet). They are absolute Mercedes Petronas Formula 1 Fans and the way I explain to them is that my role is that of Toto Wolff (Team Principal)
My role is to help set the direction, strategy, and delivery model for the supply chain teams across the globe for my business unit. In essence juggling multiple balls all over the globe at any point in time to ensure that we are kept warm, and we keep the lights on.
What part of your job do you find most interesting?
I love working with a multicultural, diverse, and geographically widespread team (from Perth to Houston and everything in between) to come together and deliver real solutions which make a difference to this world i.e., supporting delivery of renewable electricity to 1.6M homes in UK through the Seagreen Project or converting Tyres to Energy or Sewage to electricity.
What part of your job do you least enjoy?
Making Functional structure or cost base changes during market downturn which impacts people is tough, and highly undesirable but sometimes a business necessity.
What inspired you to choose your career?
My career chose me, I was 16 and the first job I started working was in supply chain. I was always wanting to make a difference and the pace and perfection required in supply chain truly inspired me to pursue this.
What or who has had the greatest influence on your career progression?
Growing up in a small town in India, it’s a range of life events which have truly influenced my career, Starting with my parents, through the values & discipline they instilled in me as a child, my international sporting career at a very young age which opened up sporting & academic opportunities for me & my wife who has been steadfast in her belief in me and kept pushing me when the chips were down over the years.
Name one practical thing we could do in the O&G industry to shift the dial on equality?
The O&G industry has made good progress in improving equality on crucially important areas such as gender and ethnicity.
We need to further embrace ‘Diversity of Thought’ across the board and influence the industry’s approach to diversity, inclusion and equality to the wider society which we are all part of.
What is the last song you listened to? (be honest)
Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins.
If there was a parallel universe with another version of ourselves, what job would you do there?
In a parallel universe, I would love to be a Naval Aviator or a Formula 1 Driver. I have a passion for speed and perfection which both professions require in heaps.
If you could solve one problem, what would it be and how would you solve it?
One of the biggest challenges of our times is climate change and being in supply chain, one of my aspirations is to develop and deploy a Net Zero Supply Chain. I strongly believe that it is our moral responsibility to come together collectively and collaboratively as an industry and work with the supply chain on this transformative journey. It’s not going to be easy but we as part of the energy industry have a track record of overcoming some impossible challenges either technical or social.
Tell us something about yourself that may surprise everyone?
Two S’s define my life- Scholarships and Sponsorships… I am an international badminton player and from the age of 12, it was the sports sponsorships and educational scholarships in India & abroad which opened the pathway for premier education as well as sporting excellence.
One of the biggest learning in this journey has been to embrace every opportunity and challenge which comes our way. Always keep pushing, keep believing and be the best that you can be!!!
