Interview with Stephen Beard, Flexe's Vice President - Insights from a Seasoned Industry Expert
Casual Interview: Flexe VP, Stephen Beard Talks Career and Supply Chain Strides
Welcome back to our platform where we chat with industry leaders from around the globe. Today we're catching up with Stephen Beard, an esteemed VP of Network Development at Flexe. Let's dive into his journey, career highlights, and thoughts on the evolving Supply Chain landscape.
I had the pleasure to work with Stephen while we were at ModusLink. Stephen's industry knowledge and leading command of customers, the business, and the market were always noteworthy. Fast forward to now, we're eager to share Stephen's insights with our readers, and we're grateful for his support on our journey. Let's get started!
Tell us a little about your background and career.
I started my career by accident - my initial goal was to get into real estate and play football. But when I needed a job that didn't interfere with my football games, a friend introduced me to UPS. It was an incredible foundation for my career, which led me to do a little bit of everything at UPS: delivery, operations management, training, industrial engineering, sales, and eventually Supply Chain Solutions. I spent five years in warehouse solutions, diving deep into import/export, followed by Kuehne + Nagel, where I managed their largest client and oversaw the Western Region.
Moving on to freelance consulting and ModusLink, I got a crash course in kitting and packaging. I joined Flexe in 2020 and have been working on building the world's first on-demand warehousing marketplace, with the ambitious goal of transforming the logistics industry.
What are some of your biggest professional achievements?
I'm proud of my lasting impact on the people I've worked with. Many would say I've shaped their career path, and that's a rewarding feeling. I've also led the transformation of the Western Region at Kuehne + Nagel, turning it from the smallest to the largest, with state-of-the-art facilities and improving from a loss to profit.
My time at Tile was a fantastic opportunity to apply my 3PL knowledge for a consumer electronics firm. We opened DCs in Australia and the UK, upgraded the US operation significantly, and changed out carriers for cost efficiency and improved service levels. Applying what I learned at ModusLink in design for distribution helped us reduce our carbon footprint and save over $1M per year in packaging alone.
How has Business and Supply Chain evolved over your career?
When I started, the industry was predominantly male, and there was a significant pressure for women to conform to stereotypes. But today, the culture in Supply Chain Management has changed; there's more collaboration in decision-making, and the industry attracts a diverse range of talent.
What lessons would you like to share for others to learn from?
If you ever find yourself pondering, "Why do we do it that way?" - always ask yourself. A career path can be built on challenging the existing process, which will put you on the path to improvement.
One of the things I've learned to do well is get to the heart of the matter – the "why." This question can lead to substantial improvements in processes and outcomes. This fact-finding approach has been instrumental in my success.
What challenges facing the world are important to you?
I am deeply concerned about poverty, particularly on a global scale. Despite our wealth and technological advancements, it is unacceptable that millions continue to live without access to clean water. This challenge can be traced back to easily preventable waterborne illnesses that claim an estimated 3.5 million lives per year. Businesses, Supply Chain, and Change Leaders have the opportunity to address these basic needs and contribute to meaningful change.
How can people contact Stephen Beard?
Email Stephen at [email protected]
source: Mortson Enterprises Inc
[1] Supply Chain Game Changer - Seasoned Leadership in Action Interview with Stephen Beard, VP of Network Development at Flexe (originally published on January 19, 2021).
- Stephen Beard, the VP of Network Development at Flexe, emphasized the importance of leadership and its role in shaping careers, particularly in Supply Chain Management.
- Stephen Beard's professional achievements encompass not only his work in logistics and business but also his contributions to education and self-development, as he has influenced many individuals in shaping their career paths.
- In the realm of career development, Stephen Beard advises aspiring professionals to question existing processes and challenge the status quo for continuous improvement.
- Understanding the 'why' behind a process is crucial, as it can lead to significant improvements in processes and outcomes, a strategy that Stephen Beard has employed effectively during his career.
- Stephen Beard reiterates that poverty, especially on a global scale, is a challenge that demands immediate attention from businesses and leaders in Supply Chain Management, as clean water is a basic need that millions continue to lack.
