I began my professional journey with Schneider Electric in 2011 as a Plant Supplier Senior Quality Manager, where I laid the foundation for my passion in the Supplier Quality domain. In 2013, with the establishment of the Regional Central Supplier Quality team under the Global Supply Chain, I transitioned into a regional role, further broadening my expertise and impact.
In 2016, I took on a global responsibility as the Business Process Owner for Supplier Performance, driving strategic improvements across our supplier quality performance ecosystem. Alongside this, I embraced a critical and unique role as the Electronic Parts Quality Crisis Leader, where I led cross-functional efforts to resolve complex quality challenges.
One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced in my role has been managing critical supplier quality failures that directly impact Schneider Electric’s end customers, especially those related to safety, delivery, and plant productivity. These situations often demand urgent resolution and cross-functional collaboration under high pressure.
What makes these challenges even more complex is that I’m not always an expert in the specific failure mode. Despite these constraints, I’ve had to lead and influence key stakeholders globally, ensuring alignment and driving resolution through data, structured problem-solving, and clear communication.
Navigating these high-stakes scenarios has strengthened my ability to work across cultures, time zones, and technical domains, while staying focused on the ultimate goal: protecting customer trust and operational excellence.
Soft Skills That Power My Journey at Schneider Electric
Over the years at Schneider Electric, I’ve come to deeply value a set of core soft skills and personal principles that have guided my professional journey and leadership approach:
- Transparency: Open and honest communication has been key to building trust with colleagues, suppliers, and stakeholders. It ensures alignment and fosters a culture of accountability.
- Openness: I actively seek out diverse perspectives and remain receptive to new ideas. This openness has helped me adapt to change and drive innovation in complex environments.
- Continuous Learning: Staying curious and committed to learning has enabled me to grow with the organization and take on evolving challenges with confidence.
- Listening to Every Voice: I believe that inclusive dialogue leads to better decisions. Listening carefully to all stakeholders, regardless of role or background, has helped uncover valuable insights and build stronger teams.
- Integrity and Compliance: I hold myself to the highest standards of integrity. For me, “no means no”, I do not allow any form of influence to distort facts or compromise compliance. Upholding truth and ethical standards is non-negotiable, especially in roles that impact product quality and customer trust.
These qualities have not only shaped my career but also reflect the values that Schneider Electric stands for: trust, empowerment, and responsibility.
What I Love Most About My Work at Schneider Electric
What truly energizes me in my role is the opportunity for continuous learning. Every day brings new insights, whether it’s exploring advanced manufacturing processes, understanding emerging technologies, or engaging with innovative methods that shape the future of our industry.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey is the access and collaboration across all levels, from shop floors to senior leadership, both within Schneider Electric and with our suppliers. This openness fosters a rich exchange of ideas and enables me to contribute meaningfully across the value chain.
I also deeply value the gratitude and recognition my contributions have received over the years. These moments of appreciation are more than just acknowledgments, they are the assets I’ve built, reflecting trust, impact, and long-term relationships.
Being part of a company that encourages transparency, integrity, and inclusive dialogue makes my work not just fulfilling, but purposeful.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to several high-impact initiatives
But a few stand out as defining moments in my career:
- Leading a Supplier Disqualification for Safety Failure: One of my most critical accomplishments was managing a safety-related failure with a long-associated supplier. Despite the sensitivity of the relationship, I led the entire disqualification process with integrity and diligence, ensuring Schneider Electric’s commitment to safety and compliance remained uncompromised.
- Mitigating Supply Risk Through Technical Leadership: By designing and building machines to meet demand, establishing a zero-defect process, and stabilizing operations, I ensured uninterrupted supply to our customers, demonstrating both technical depth and crisis leadership.
- Innovating new Supplier Quality metrics: These metrics provide visibility to all stakeholders at any time, enabling faster decision-making and proactive supplier management. This initiative has significantly improved our responsiveness and transparency across the supply chain.
Each of these accomplishments reflects my core values, integrity, technical excellence, and a relentless drive to protect customer trust. They also represent the gratitude and recognition I’ve earned, which I consider the most valuable assets I’ve built over the years.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
I’ve never faced a career setback in the traditional sense. I’ve always believed that if I consistently deliver value, I will earn my place in any role. This mindset has guided me throughout my journey at Schneider Electric.
Rather than waiting for opportunities, I’ve proactively taken on new responsibilities, especially during times of business crisis, not with expectations or demands, but with a genuine commitment to contribute and support the organization. These moments have often led to personal growth and broader impact, reinforcing my belief that stepping up when it matters most is the true measure of leadership.
This approach has helped me build a strong foundation of trust and credibility, and I consider that to be one of my greatest professional assets.
The Best Career Decision I’ve Made
One of the most defining decisions in my career came in 2014, during a major organizational shift. My team was being dissolved as part of a new leadership vision, transitioning from a Central Supplier Quality model to a Business Unit (BU) Quality concept. While I respectfully challenged the idea, it was ultimately a management decision to experiment with the new structure.
My manager offered me a role leading quality at one of the BU plants. While I appreciated the trust, I felt it didn’t align with my strengths. Having successfully managed large-scale supplier quality virtually, I knew my passion and expertise lay in technical quality, not administrative quality for plant operations.
I expressed this clearly to my manager, stating my intent to move into a central role where I could continue contributing at a strategic and technical level. Though some leaders felt it was a risky or wrong move, my heart told me it was the right one, and I’ve stood by that belief ever since.
That decision reaffirmed my commitment to staying true to my core values and strengths. It wasn’t just a career move, it was a statement of purpose.
How Schneider Electric Guided My Career Development
I wouldn’t say Schneider Electric helped my career, I would say it guided it. I’ve always believed that my career is in my own hands. Schneider Electric provides equal opportunities to everyone, but it’s up to each individual to decide what to pursue and how to deliver.
For me, Schneider has been instrumental in guiding me toward roles that align with my strengths, and in offering platforms to grow both professionally and academically. I’ve had the opportunity to pursue advanced education and certifications, including a Master’s Degree, Six Sigma Black Belt, Electrifier Level 2, MIT Leadership course on Electrifiers for Impact, and am currently pursuing a Doctorate each of which has added depth to my expertise and broadened my impact.
This culture of empowerment, combined with access to global networks and cutting-edge technologies, has allowed me to shape a career that’s both meaningful and fulfilling.
Digital Transformation, Sustainability & New Opportunities in Supply Chain
New trends, digital transformation, and sustainability are reshaping the future of supply chain and industrial automation, and they’re creating exciting opportunities for professionals across all levels.
Business dynamics, market sensitivity, and customer expectations are evolving rapidly. To stay competitive and resilient, organizations must embrace advanced tools and technologies. This transformation isn’t limited to any one function; it impacts everyone in the organization.
In the supply chain specifically, many challenges are hidden and complex, often not visible until they escalate. Over the past two years, digital transformation has significantly improved our ability to:
- Supply Plan more effectively
- Resolve supply risks faster
- Use predictive alerts to prevent routine issues
These capabilities have empowered teams to be more proactive, agile, and data driven.
At Schneider Electric, we’ve seen how sustainability initiatives and digital tools not only improve operational efficiency but also open doors for new roles, skillsets, and innovations. Whether it’s in analytics, automation, or supplier collaboration, the future is full of possibilities for those ready to learn and adapt.
The Real Drivers Behind My Career Growth
I don’t believe there are any secrets behind where I am today. For me, it’s always been about staying true to a few core principles:
- Discipline: Staying focused and consistent, even during challenging times.
- Hard Work: Putting in the effort every single day, without shortcuts.
- Dedication: Being fully committed to the mission, the team, and the goals.
- Ownership: Taking full responsibility for outcomes, good or bad, and always striving to improve.
These values have helped me build patience and resilience, which I believe are essential for long-term success. There’s no magic formula, just a strong belief that if you deliver with integrity and purpose, growth will follow.
Advice for the Next Generation of Talent
The next generation is incredibly fast at learning and adapting. You already know a lot, and that’s a great strength. But sometimes, the challenge lies in knowing where and how to apply that knowledge effectively.
My advice is simple but powerful:
- Own your career choices. Don’t blame others if things don’t go as expected. Your career is shaped by your abilities, skills, and passion, not by circumstances or people around you.
- Stay humble and curious. Learning doesn’t stop. We continue to learn until our last breath. No one knows everything, and that’s perfectly okay.
- Be patient and purposeful. Success doesn’t come overnight. It’s built through consistent effort, reflection, and a willingness to grow.
- Choose wisely, deliver consistently. The opportunities are there—what matters is how you choose to engage with them and what you deliver in return.
Remember, your journey is unique. Make it meaningful.
Feeling inspired?
Take the next step in your career journey with us at Schneider Electric. View open roles or sign up to our talent community to stay updated on new openings and insights!
About the author
Mallikharjuna Koduru
Sr GM – Global EE Supplier Quality & Supply Chain Senior Electrifier
Add a comment