READERPROFILE
as told to Karen Kroll
Do The Hustle
SACHI THOMPSON is general manager of the global hardware division with Curvature, a division of Park Place Technologies, a global data center and networking optimization firm.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead Curvature’s global server, storage, and network hardware business, including running operations, sales, and executing the division’s corporate strategy.
EXPERIENCE: Executive vice president, global supply chain, Curvature; chief operating o£cer, Curvature (pre-merger with SMS); director of real estate and leasing, Ess-Tee Management; production director, Big Dogs Sportswear.
EDUCATION: B.A., History, University of California— Santa Barbara
I n 2007, I joined Curvature as its 85th employee. We were at about $87 million in revenue, and operating only in the United States. Originally, my role was the chief executive of cer’s right hand. I put myself anywhere the company needed me, because our growth was blasting off like a rocket ship. Every six months or so, I’d take over a new responsibility. First was real estate, then supply chain, and then operations. I became chief operating of cer in 2014. Under my direction, my focus was building facilities for the organization and becoming a global brand. This expansion changed our supply chain considerably. I had to make sure we were ready to deliver the parts our customers needed to a service area that grew to more than 140 countries in 2016. The complexity changed from, “I can operate my production plants
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.” to “I need 24/7 operations centers.” This forced me to focus on global logistics and a global supply chain. I gained my education in this space by going out and dealing with supply chain challenges and complex operational logistics issues. I’d bring in consultants, learn from them, and apply best practices to our business. Early in my career I learned that the key to success is hiring the best talent to focus on critical areas of the business. Being the youngest of ve siblings, with a single mother who was an immigrant from Japan, I was taught from an early age that education is a gift. Now, when I see opportunity for myself or others, I seize it. Some of my greatest hires have been out in the world where I see a person hustling on the job. I give them my card and say, ‘I’d love to hire
you in our operations center.’ We can do a lot for employees who have that hustle, grit, and desire to be better. I have had amazing opportunities that allowed me to develop a unique leadership approach. If I have a system or process that’s not working or isn’t scaling, I start to work with people at all levels to show me why it’s not working. Then I take it down another level to the process or the widget as it’s going through our plant, so I can see what’s I had to make sure we were ready to deliver the parts our customers needed to a service area that grew to more than 140 countries in 2016.
14 Inbound Logistics • August 2022
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