The women in logistics who have fought hard to advance and carve out a niche in this largely male-dominated field were interviewed by Cargo Insights. Up head…
Over the past few decades, women have progressively grown within the logistics industry, just like their counterparts in many other professions. While this industry is still dominated by men, women are making progress and succeeding in key positions. The transportation and logistics sector is gradually altering this attitude, albeit there is still a long way to go. Currently, the sector is using a skill-based strategy to hire new employees. Having a diversified workforce with all the necessary knowledge has become essential for the success of logistics companies in an era where improved output is the primary goal of all organisations.
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Persevering for a better tomorrow
Managing Director, Bertling Logistics, Sharmila Amin, shares her story andspeaks up on how much the logistics industry supports women.
Speaking on the pertinent question of male dominancy in the industry, Sharmila shares that while the number of women in logistics is really very low, the problem is in understanding the value for shareholders, customers, and society that could be created with a better gender balance in the increasingly critical supply chain.
“Although the industry continues to be male-dominated, and the change you mention is painstakingly slow, we all persevere for a better tomorrow,” she says.
She highlights that the ratio of Women to Men is roughly 1:4 or 25 percent of the workforce, and only 17 percent of partners in member firms are women. “I would like to invite more young women to challenge themselves to transform this industry.”
Her journey to date has been as challenging as inspirational. She reminisces, “Executing difficult jobs excites me. Handling those jobs in the male-dominated oil and gas sector was a challenging professional move. The opportunity came when not many professionals were keen to work on the HBJ oil pipeline. I grabbed the chance to prove myself, persevered, remained steadfast, and eventually succeeded.”
She pulls our attention to the advantages that women have in the logistics industry. “Women have a strong determination. However, their ability to connect and lead people with compassion and empathy makes them stand apart in logistics.”
Speaking on the pros and drawbacks of working as a woman here, Sharmila points out, “Being a woman in a male-dominated business has not been a major problem as I have earned the respect and confidence of my peers. I achieved this because of inspiration from my seniors and colleagues, whom I respect deeply and derive strength from. Then, one gets a sense of achievement by becoming a pioneer in the field. The only major drawback is the lack of a fair amount of women’s representation in the field.
She believes that industry peers and business leaders encourage and mentor women. “Plus, the central and state governments have initiated many women-centric development programs. This has encouraged more women to contribute to the Indian economy and our industry.”
Sharmila drives inspiration from her father. Talking about him, she opens up, “My father was one of India’s pioneers in the Construction Industry, and his role in my career success cannot be underestimated. I was eventually able to leave a mark. I also received knowledge and experience at Airfreight Limited and NS Guzder and Company that was crucial to my success.”
Having opened the doors of opportunity for women in this field, Sharmila encourages the next generation of female professionals to take up careers in this industry. She shares, “The work is hard but fruitful and rewarding. Being your own boss comes with responsibilities and the ability to take chances. But the satisfaction is greater at the end of the day.
Women’s ability to connect, lead people with compassion makes them stand apart
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Greater inclusivity and female representation in Logistics
Chandrakala Bobba, Director, Bobba Logistics, shares how women are emerging at the forefront of the logistics industry.
Chandrakala acknowledges the change in the situation of professional women in the past few decades. “This change is finally being witnessed in the logistics industry, with more women joining the industry. I have personally witnessed positive changes in our industry, and as they say, it’s better late than never. Logistics, warehouses, and freight have always been portrayed as a heavy industrial and physically exerting industry. This has created an outlook that minimises women’s chances of entering this field. However, women are increasingly playing a larger role in business today. There has been a positive shift in how women in business are perceived. The ‘de-genderisation’ of professions has played an important role in the rise of women professionals. I am glad I can witness this slow yet steady change.”
Her journey has been as challenging as inspiring. She reminisces, “In my journey, no favours were granted, or mistakes overlooked just because it was a family business. As a young woman, I worked harder than my male colleagues to earn recognition and put forward my points. I faced situations where I was being talked over, especially while making a point in a meeting. I would be interrupted mid-way and lose my chance to voice my suggestions or opinions. All this just motivated me to break the glass ceiling even harder. To overcome this, I began to work on my self-confidence and developed a growth mindset. Finally, I started setting small goals and worked towards achieving them.”
“It may not have been a smooth journey, but we all learn and sharpen ourselves with time. All these steps made me more confident and helped me view myself as a strong young woman making her mark in the logistics industry.”
She disagrees that women have advantages and doesn’t subscribe to the idea of evaluating things based on gender. “When we begin to look at things without gender bias, we give a fair platform for all, which is paramount. Just as trust, respect, and dignity are earned, any position at work must be earned based on merit, not gender. Women naturally lead with inspiration and motivation to achieve their goals and instinctively carry forward the people they work with.”
Chandrakala agrees there are drawbacks in the workspace for women, which are more situational than gender specific. “It all boils down to how well we handle the setbacks and the situations life throws at us. Every situation has its own pros, cons, and learnings.”
Her list of pros for women in logistics includes increased representation, enhanced workforce flexibility, and improved representation for female consumers. She shares, “Women in logistics means increased representation for the industry and an increased sense of inclusivity. This leads to more innovative solutions and ideas and an improved company culture overall. Moreover, women in logistics can help to bring a more diverse workforce to the industry, which can help to create more flexible and efficient business solutions. This can help to increase efficiency and overall productivity. Plus, having more women in logistics helps provide better representation for female consumers. This can help to drive more sales and profits for the business.”
She also speaks up on the challenges for the female workforce in the industry, the top one being gender-based discrimination. “Women may face greater discrimination and exclusion than men in the industry. This can lead to a lack of confidence and, in the long term, fewer women in the profession.”
As per her, the gender gap in the industry leads to limited access to resources like mentorship and career development. “This can cause a lack of progress and growth in the industry.”
And then, not having a support system is another big disappointment for many women here. “Nothing should stop anyone from achieving their goals. And a supportive ecosystem is one of the main factors in this journey. This is true for those with families and children to take care of. The unconditional support of their family and/or partners is paramount to balance work, ambitions, and family life equally well.”
Chandrakala talks of her journey and what helped her climb the ladder, “Being firmly grounded and not being shaken by any situation. This happens over time and with experience. I have grown up surrounded by highly motivated and ambitious people. This has enabled me to observe, listen, and learn much from them. To the extent that it became one of the main reasons for winning the right to talk and getting a seat in the boardroom.”
The traits she considers inevitable for success are the art of listening and learning, being assertive, picking and choosing your battles, the power of voicing yes and no, differentiating right from wrong, and owning your actions.
She spills, “Communication is the key to everything. It helps avoid assumptions and delete perceptions. Everyone is right in their approach, but who is left in the long process matters. Teamwork and passionate coworkers are significant to keep the project’s momentum going. Giving all coworkers and team members a chance to see, a chance to be, loyalty and honesty, and a sense of discipline.”
She asserts to the next-generation female professionals entering logistics, “I believe they should develop technical skills as it is important to understand the complexity of the supply chain, transportation, and technology. Technology is evolving, and with the advent of robotics and the digitisation of processes, it is important to take short courses and keep abreast of the industry’s technological changes. Ultimately, it is all about learning from the past and understanding current new trends to accommodate and balance our actions well. Change is the only constant, and how well we navigate through this change ourselves depends on all our preparations and experiences.”
No favours were granted, or mistakes overlooked as I came from a family business
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Maintain a strong work ethic and stay ahead of the curve
CEO, My Logistics Gurukul, Alpana Chaturvedi, speaks from her experience in the industry, encouraging women to have fun and maintain a work-life balance.
Alpana believes that logistics was considered male-dominated due to the nature of work that includes lifting heavy-weight cargo goods and packages, driving heavy vehicles, using equipment like forklifts and heavy machinery, and working hours being 24X7. However, the working environment has undergone a sea change. She shares, “One can now see women working in warehouses, handling operations and sales portfolios. Women are leading logistics organizations, and the industry is gradually turning more gender-agnostic.”
She opens up about her journey in the industry, “I was posted at a site office in my role as Airport Officer-Cargo, AAI. No transport was available, and the airport area was far from the city. It was difficult to get to the workplace, and there was a lack of amenities in the site office. But all my male colleagues were helpful and supportive. I also took a sabbatical while raising my family. I was being pushed between work and home, but I kept upskilling myself.”
Women are more inclined towards service with problem-solving capabilities and strong business acumen. It makes them excel at Customer Service and fostering relationships. Alpana says, “There is a marked preference for women workers in Customer Service and Key Accounts Management roles. Women can be seen as great team players, leaders, and mentors. They are playing on the front foot and shining in Operations, IT, Warehousing, and leading large teams, services, and organisations. Companies nowadays have women-friendly policies such as flexible working hours, provision of transport facilities, longer maternity leave benefits, work-from-home options, and childcare facilities at the workplace.
Alpana acknowledges the support received from the government and industry leaders. She mentions, “The system is positively geared towards women empowerment and skills development that will make them job ready. Employers also specifically ask for female candidates to fill specific roles.”
Several factors led to her success in the domain. She shares, “One has to be passionate about one’s work, accept changes wilfully, and remain ahead of the changing times. Being in training and L&D, I realise learning is not happening only in classrooms but from the environment and people around you. There is no substitute for hard work. However, never stop having fun and maintain a work-life balance.”
Alpana encourages the next generation of female professionals entering logistics, “There are lots of opportunities for females in the logistics sector. One can get into different types of roles, such as Operations, Sales, Customer Service, IT, Finance and Accounts, International Relations, and L&D, depending on one’s skills, interests, and educational background. There will be avenues to meet people, get international exposure, and have opportunities to travel the globe.”
Never stop having fun and maintain a work-life balance
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Expand knowledge and think creatively, to differentiate yourself
Sarini Sachdeva, CEO, Aardour Worldwide Logistics, stresses that women need to focus on their goals and ignore the surrounding noise that tries to stop them.
A self-made woman, who’s climbed up the ladder despite all odds, Sarini acknowledges male dominance in the supply chain. “Yes, only 37 percent of the workforce is female, and women hold 14 percent of executive roles. Although there is still a long way to go. The industry is adopting a skill-based approach to recruitment. In a time when organisations aim at a better output, having a diverse workforce with all the required expertise has become indispensable for the success of logistics companies.”
She joined this industry in 2000 when she was the only woman in the sales department. “I also came out to be the top performer within a year which made most of the sales persons (mostly men) very insecure. They would find reasons to let me down. I have seen that while very few men support you, more men discourage you and find a way to demotivate you. I decided to play deaf and concentrate on my work. There is an old saying, ‘numbers talk, and bullshit walks.’”
Sarini firmly believes that a diverse workforce yields countless benefits, and the logistics industry is no exception. “Numerous scientific studies have shown that gender diversity in the workforce fosters collaboration, understanding, and tolerance and boosts competitiveness, productivity, and corporate social responsibility.”
But there are many challenges women face in logistics. “Lack of flexibility and travelling away from home for long periods are reasons why the logistics industry can seem daunting to women, particularly those with small children. But there is so much scope in the careers available here that it is becoming easier for women to embrace it.”
Sarini points out that hard work and a clear vision are the keys to success without getting involved in politics. “Do not deviate from the goal and focus on work. No man or woman can stop you from succeeding if you have a clear goal. I always believe that if you have great knowledge, no one can win over you. So we must remain apprised of the latest challenges in the industry and keep finding innovative solutions that can help the industry to grow.”
For the emerging young women in the industry, she advises, “There will be a lot of times when you feel demotivated and undervalued, but you have the power to conquer the world with knowledge and dedication. These are two key words to success: keep thinking of innovative solutions and increasing your knowledge base so no man or woman can win over you.”
So much scope for a career in logistics has made it easier for women to embrace it
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Strongly driven women have made it into logistics
Coming from the promoters’ family, Padma Handa, Director, Hans Infomatic and Sunrise Freight Forwarders, shares her views on what makes women more suitable for logistics.
For someone who hails from a family of promoters and has three decades of experience in the industry, Padma believes there are very few women with essentially professional backgrounds to be seen in the logistics management domain.
“To my mind, the logistics industry continues to be male-dominated. Only a few women who belong to the promoters’ family have risen to the higher echelons. Even in the middle and lower rungs, most companies continue to have less than 5 percent women staff,” she spills.
She sees that women are equipped for multitasking. “Mostly, it is strongly driven women who have managed to enter the logistics industry,” she says.
Working as a woman in this industry has some benefits and drawbacks. As per Padma, an organisation’s work environment is a substantial challenge and is a crucial drawback that needs improvement. The lack of a flexible work schedule is another debilitating factor.
“However, the pros are that a women’s workforce boosts productivity and women in senior positions can positively impact a company’s performance. They are also better at collaborative work and offer beneficial behavioural propensities. Moreover, they often lead with empathy, which has proven to enhance profitability,” she shares.
She highlights how building healthy relationships and bonding with teams were crucial to her success in her line of work.
For the next generation of female professionals entering logistics, Padma suggests joining logistics courses in good universities. “Society and accessible infrastructure are changing. Logistics is also increasingly technology-driven. The sky is the limit.”
A women’s workforce boosts productivity
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Endure, persevere and embrace the excitement to achieve new heights
Speaking on the breed of natural multi-taskers in logistics, Akanksha Gupta, National Key Account Manager – Automotive, Kuehne+Nagel India, shares what it takes to succeed here.
For Akanksha Gupta, the journey in logistics began in 2011, and she’s seen the industry change in the past decade. Speaking on the pertinent male dominance in logistics, she shares, “While the industry is still primarily male-dominated, it has evolved, and there has been a visible shift in the gender ratio. The scenario ten years back was much different.”
She has seen individuals, managers, and organisations gradually focus more on being inclusive towards female talent hiring, even for senior roles. “In my experience, as long as you endure, persevere, and passionately embrace the excitement, nothing can stop women from aspiring for and achieving new heights. If given the opportunity to step up and take on more responsibilities in Kuehne+Nagel, I would gladly accept and deliver successfully”, she says.
Moreover, adding women to the team is not just a trend or requirement but also beneficial for organisations.
Akanksha believes women are naturally ‘multi-taskers’, which gives them an edge in any industry, especially logistics. “Household tasks of being family caregivers to the workplace role of managers enable women to be different and excellent workers. The higher emotional quotient also helps them empathise with their peers, subordinates, and customers, making them better colleagues, leaders, and partners.“
Even for women, there are as many pros. Being a working female is challenging yet rewarding. Akanksha highlights the importance of always maintaining a work-life balance.
“In the current dynamic environment, everyone has ambitious lifestyle goals. Being a working woman in India gives women the confidence and independence to make decisions and add to the family financially, which keeps them positively motivated. However, it is always important to balance work and family time.”
But the government and business leaders have realised the women’s role and are rising to the occasion to lend adequate support. In fact, the President of India is the most powerful position and is held by a woman.
“I have been very lucky to witness a growing mindset amongst the government and corporations to bring women to the forefront of decision-making. Today, most organisations are working towards bringing diversity to the workplace and encouraging women to participate equally towards economic growth,” she shares.
Growing up the ladder in logistics can be challenging. But, for Akanksha, discipline and self-motivation have been her core strengths. “In my experience, the moment you aim high, the universe conspires to give you what you deserve. Working on upskilling myself to evolve with the dynamism and volatility of the logistics industry has kept me as a front-runner and rewarded me in my professional life,” she spills.
Akanksha believes that our industry is undergoing a digital revolution, and we need to be curious, inquisitive, and motivated. “It is extremely important to focus on self-development. Leverage, learn and leap towards opportunities, and success will embrace you,” she guides the women trying to carve their niche in this industry.
In my experience, as long as you endure, persevere, and passionately embrace the excitement, nothing can stop women from aspiring for and achieving new heights
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Long way to go but we’ll get there
Country Manager-India, Air Logistics Group, Sakshi Gupta, shares why the mindset needs to change to bring more women to the forefront.
Sakshi agrees that patriarchy dominates logistics but draws our attention to the bright side. “Parallelly, I must also agree that there is a buzz, and more women are being welcomed and encouraged by their male counterparts to join the trade. They are also being recognised and rewarded and reaching the top brass of the organisations, holding key management positions. It’s a long way to go, but we will get there.”
She believes the mindset, or male ideology, deters men from hiring more women in their organisations in our country.
“According to the UN, Indian women’s workforces are under 23 percent, starkly contrasting the global median of 53 percent. It indicates that our current ecosystem is biased against women. We need to upskill and mentor women, ensure locational safety, equitable pay, and career growth opportunities.”
She has been one of the fortunate ones not to face any discrimination. “Fortunately, I have been welcomed in the logistics trade, treated with respect, and given the right tools and opportunities to voice my opinions”.
However, she wonders why more women are not on the logistics table. Her view is that orders from a woman may be perceived as dominating. Still, she asks all ladies to wear their confidence as a badge of honour and move ahead gracefully.
As per her, women bring many benefits to the table and receive in return in this industry. “Their soft and analytical skills, creative minds, out-of-the-box thinking, and dedication have been a boon to organisations. Even during the pandemic, many organisations realised that women were delivering exceptionally well, adding a personal touch to their work, which comes naturally, even while working remotely and taking care of their domestic responsibilities simultaneously.”
But despite the contributions, the drawbacks for working women are plenty. “Work-Life Balance gets disrupted, which can get very stressful for working mothers! Women’s labour at home often goes unnoticed and unappreciated. Also, some jobs need to ensure a conducive and safe working environment. Plus, inappropriate working hours could be a major deterrent for most women which should be on the employers’ radar to promptly look into.”
She mentions that the government and industry leaders have a significant role in bringing women to the forefront.
“Hold organisations accountable for diversity and inclusion. We need to have insulated recruitment systems in our industry with an unbiased mind of the recruiter. We must believe in inducting women and giving them leadership roles and decision-making powers.
Also, the government and other logistics bodies should draft policies to mandatorily have 30-40 percent of women hired, start audits to ensure companies meet this number and ask them to generate gender-disaggregated workforce data. That’s how we will see the change everyone is talking about and make the invisible visible. It’s a proven fact that economies that prosper have empowered women to walk beside men, not behind them.”
Her passion for her work shows how she talks about Air Logistics Group.
“‘It does not seem like work when you fall in love with Mondays, and you love what you do.’ This is the energy Air Logistics triggered within me, which is the main reason behind my success, accompanied by unbridled ambition, utmost dedication, and support from my teammates.”
She believes in being humble, a team player, motivating colleagues, and working together.
“It’s not a one-man show; it never was and never will be”, she spills.
For the next generation of female professionals venturing into this industry, Sakshi suggests, “Change the world within you to change the world outside. Every day is a fresh beginning that alters our lives. With so much changing around us, we need to become adaptable and agile in our thinking. Women need to break their barriers, which are their blocked minds, step out of their cocoons, and spread their wings as the Logistics sector has many verticals to offer. Get drenched in the Logistics Fountain; there is much to learn and grow here. Employment in the coming year shows an upward trend here, and women will be hired because they are creative & problem solvers. Being digitally savvy is necessary to bring change & more opportunities will open up, even working from your home’s windows. No dream is too big to be achieved. So don’t think, just begin. As perfection lies nowhere.”
Economies that prosper have empowered women to walk beside men, not behind them
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Networking, an essential aspect for career advancement
Co-founder, My Skills Academy, a Unit of Indus Group Company, Ananya Singh, lists the biases women face in the industry and how they can overcome them.
Ananya points out the several biases that women face in the industry. She shares, ”Women are often subjected to gender bias in the logistics industry, with many people believing that the field is unsuitable for them. In addition, there is often a lack of mentors who can help guide them in their careers and offer advice on overcoming challenges. Then, networking is an essential aspect of career advancement, but women in logistics face limited opportunities to network with peers and industry leaders. Women in logistics also witness stereotypes that they are not physically capable of performing specific tasks, such as lifting heavy boxes. Balancing work and family life is another challenge for women in logistics, as the industry often requires long hours and extensive travel.”
But despite these challenges, there are several strategies that women can apply to become leaders in the logistics industry and set an example for others.
Ananya reveals, “Women in logistics should actively seek mentors who can offer guidance and support, as well as sponsors who can advocate for their advancement. Moreover, networking is essential for career advancement, and women should take advantage of every opportunity to connect with others in the field. Then, there is the need to develop new skills and knowledge, particularly in emerging areas such as supply chain analytics and technology. Also, challenging gender stereotypes by actively seeking out typically male-dominated roles, such as warehouse management or truck driving, can help. Women must speak up and advocate changes in the industry that can help promote gender equality, such as more flexible work arrangements or improved maternity leave policies.”
Women need to advocate changes that can help promote gender equality
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Be a STAR when you face difficulty
Director, Global Corporate Key Accounts, Asia Pacific, Saudia Airline Cargo, Vandana Singh, shares some great tricks about how women can make a difference and succeed.
Vandana’s journey spans over three decades in the industry. She reminisces, “When I joined this industry, there were just a handful of women. However, when you follow your passion, you must be prepared to work hard and never limit your dreams. Both men and women who have become CEOs have shown tenacity and hard work. Regardless of gender, we are measured by the same criteria – the business success.”
When faced with challenging circumstances, Vandana recommends, “Be a S T A R when you face difficulty. The S T A R method permits you to frame your behaviour, subtleties, and reactions to troublesome work circumstances. Situation: Make sense of the specific situation and analyse the tough spot. Task: List your to-dos to determine this. Action (or Approach): Notice the activities you initiated. Result: State how your approach prompted a great outcome. My focus has always been on quality and efficiency, along with commitment. Ensuring no one cuts corners has been challenging, as that spoils the reputation. However, the hurdles clear out when you stay focused and lead by example.”
Speaking on the advantages women get in the industry, she says, “Logistics can provide great potential for women. The industry offers employment opportunities from practical tasks like sorting, packing, and delivery to extremely complex endeavours like strategy, development and planning. The industry is getting more technologically advanced, making it easier for women to access as more physical jobs are done by automation.”
Vandana believes women in logistics roles are more collaborative than their male counterparts. “Organisations display increased collaborative behaviour when working with women supply chain partners, maybe because of a higher expectation for cooperation. That’s why, I feel, women show higher efficiency and better negotiation skills.”
She doesn’t think working as a woman has any disadvantages. ”Women in many countries work in the logistics and supply chain industry. You just need a sincere interest and conviction that you are at par with everyone else.”
She applauds the government for being supportive of women working in all sectors. “Logistics is just one of them. There is no domain where women cannot apply for a job and deliver excellent results.”
For the new generation of females in the industry, Vandana suggests, “Be self-assured. Not many women worked in this sector earlier, but now go on and just do it! Networking at business events and joining groups provides advantages for women working in logistics. Also, get a mentor and love learning. Keep marching, and you will succeed.”
Focus on quality and efficiency along with a commitment
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Secret to any woman carving out her niche in any industry is confidence
Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Indicold, Niharika Jalan shares snippets from her journey and what it takes to carve your niche in logistics.
Niharika feels that male dominance in logistics results from the prominence of blue-collar workers. “Initially, it was thought that men could manage this workforce the best. But things are changing now. At a recent supply chain conference, each panel of six had one woman. When I saw this, I realised this number could have easily been three. I know several woman leaders, managers, and change-makers in the logistics space.”
She believes in the pros of being a woman in logistics. “When you see a woman in logistics, you take notice. The women in logistics will always champion other women. Women are natural multi-taskers, more diligent, sensitive, and loyal, lending much-needed business continuity. Ask any business owner, and each woman team member would be a top performer.”
But just like most women, Niharika has faced her share of challenges. She recalls, “Earlier, my biggest challenge was finding women-friendly utilities. They were normally a good kilometre trek away and not well maintained. The good news is in the last few years, this has changed. Now having gender-specific washrooms is a basic audit requirement. The drive for this has come from the customer side. Also, earlier, even at my own facility, the operator would see me from afar and take a U–turn as he did not want to talk to a lady. The labour would not know what to say or do when I spoke. But, all this went through a sea change when I was working at the dock for a whole day till almost 10 pm for our first institutional customer. The team knew I was not just a lady but a part of the team. They respected and listened to me. I know the respect I earned that time made a huge difference.”
For any woman looking to carve her niche in the space, Niharika shares her mantra, “Do not be afraid. Keep your chin up, be confident and carry on. Dig in, pull up your socks, and work at the ground level. Logistics is just like any other space, and you will succeed if you keep at it. If operations and supply chain get your blood running, if this is your passion, lady, you will be a rockstar! So come join the party!”
Dig in, pull up your socks, and work at the ground level
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Be gritty, and don’t give up!
Director, Operations Management, Indo-ASEAN, Cargo Partner Logistics, Manisha Malhotra, reveals how she overcame hurdles to grow up the ladder.
A dedicated self-learner and an avid reader, Manisha agrees there is an ominous change emerging in our industry. “A study states that women now fill up 19 percent of C-level positions in the industry, up from 15 percent in 2021”, she reveals.
Her journey was as challenging, with the biggest hurdle being finding a mentor to help and guide her career path. She overcame this by constantly self-learning and acquiring knowledge through a lot of reading. Still, she firmly believes in the benefits women bring to the logistics industry.
“I feel that success depends on individual skills. Women are often raised to be multi-taskers and can keep many wheels spinning, which helps such a demanding industry.”
Manisha agrees that the biggest advantage for a woman working in this industry is the different perspective she brings to the table, especially considering the multiple aspects of decision-making. But, at the same time, gender-based discrimination, unequal pay, stereotyping, and limited opportunities are some drawbacks for women in the industry.
She shares that things have started changing since the government is trying to build safe working environment regulations. “Business leaders, in the time of need, come forward as agents of change so that women would no longer think of logistics as a bastion of male dominance.”
Some key factors that have helped her succeed in the industry include not accepting mediocrity, practicing continuous learning, setting clear goals, taking advantage of professional networking, seeking feedback, balancing work and life, leading by example, and remembering that ‘Failure is yours; success belongs to the team.’
Manisha feels that women often give more but lose their grit and determination at the wrong time. She strongly advises the next-generation female professionals entering logistics, “Be gritty and don’t give up. Stay curious and keep learning. Mentor others.”
Biggest hurdle for a woman is to find a mentor to help, guide her career path
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Logistics, a great career choice for next-generation women
Founder, Umanshi Marketing, Tamanna Gupta, reveals her journey to becoming a marketing leader, the challenges she had to overcome, and how other women can do it too.
Tamanna believes logistics is not the only industry that is primarily male-dominated. ”Unfortunately, gender inequality in the workforce starts from the beginning, with fewer women completing college degrees, particularly in STEM fields. Thankfully, with the rise of new-age tech-enabled start-ups and more globalised work culture, women are making their presence felt across various industries, including logistics.”
She has worked with inclusive companies like Allcargo Logistics and Emiza Supply Chain, whose founders were progressive enough to appoint her to senior positions. “However, I experienced gender discrimination while working at a regional distribution center in Delhi. A male junior resigned within a few weeks of joining because he did not want to report to a woman senior. I chose to focus on being a competent, goal-oriented professional. I earned the respect of my male colleagues and the clients and proved that gender should not affect one’s professional abilities.”
Tamanna thinks women don’t get any advantages while working in logistics. “Women have a disadvantage due to working conditions, such as the lack of separate bathrooms and safety concerns, especially in warehouses in desolate areas. I experienced safety concerns when working at a warehouse on the outskirts of Lucknow, where no transportation was available after seven pm. I was forced to ride on the back of a warehouse in-charge’s bike through a dark, dangerous road.”
She shares that no gender-related pros exist in any sector, specifically in Logistics. “Today, we are a marketing agency to 12+ logistics companies, including Liladhar Pasoo, Celcius Logistics, Alisped Logistics, Givven Logistics, and others. While we have only male clients and an all-women’s team strategizing and leading these accounts, none have made us feel otherwise.”
On assistance from business leaders, she shares, “As a marketing leader, I have seen that business owners, founding members, and leadership teams are more aware of the value that competent professionals can bring to their companies and are creating a gender-neutral work environment.”
Over the last decade in logistics, Tamanna has held diverse roles, from corporate sales to marketing communications. “As a marketing lead, my challenge was to educate the leadership teams on the importance of marketing and brand-building in the logistics industry. As sales head, I learned that good salespeople sell, but great ones show value.”
Ultimately, Tamanna is optimistic about the growth prospects in logistics, thus making it a great career choice for next-generation female professionals. “Don’t hesitate to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty because hard work is rewarded and respected across industries. I took on any task that needed to be done to achieve the company goals, whether it was visiting remote warehouses, personally meeting with customers in hot and crowded marketplaces, or even getting loading and unloading the trucks. At the end of the day, logistics is all about delivering, and who better than women to “deliver”?
Logistics is all about delivering; who, better than women, can “deliver”
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The voyage is the criterion
Director, Sitara Shipping, Sanjam Sahi Gupta shares some interesting insights about women working in logistics, the perks and the challenges.
While she accepts logistics is male-dominated, Sanjam points out, “However, nowadays, women participate more. What is missing is the presence of women in more senior roles. The logistics industry needs more role models.”
She reveals her share of challenges in the professional journey. “When I started working in my business, customers didn’t take me seriously due to my age and gender. So I had to work twice as hard, handling shipments with extra care to ensure they changed their mind.”
However, Sanjam feels that since there are fewer women, it is easier to stand out and be remembered. She says, “This helps when it is time to get new meetings or bid for newer projects. People remember you, and it opens doors. I’ve never considered myself any different due to my gender. In fact, being a woman means we multi-task well and have a strong emotional IQ. Balancing home and work obligations can be a tight walk sometimes, but I have been lucky to have an extremely supportive partner and family.”
She applauds the support received from International Maritime Organization (IMO) for her initiative called Maritime SheEO, where she runs a leadership accelerator program for women in maritime.
Sanjam shares that she is highly passionate about what she does. “I never do anything in half measures. While there is no substitute for hard work, you need to believe in yourself, be open to learning, and always listen to your instincts. Always be open to new experiences, rise up to challenges and accept the unknown. I have had incredible opportunities, often pushing myself beyond my comfort zone, but always helping me grow.”
For the next generation of female professionals entering logistics, Sanjam adds, “Make plans but know that they will change. By being willing to try something new, you could end up somewhere unexpected and better. Realise that the journey is the destination. Enjoy it. You will never have all the answers; you will always be a student. Embrace the opportunity to learn daily from each experience and everyone you encounter. There will be some good and some bad, but with each experience, you will learn something new.”
I have never considered myself any different due to my gender
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Industry sees a paradigm shift in gender distribution in last decade
Alka Mantri, Managing Partner, Aarkesh Logistics acknowledges the advent of women on the corporate ladder, especially in the logistics industry.
Alka firmly believes there has been a paradigm shift in the gender mix in the last 10-15 years. “Now, more females are making a career in logistics and supply chain. However, the relentless focus on diversity and inclusion in the last few decades, especially gender diversity, has borne fruit. Women are being identified as potential talent. Many organisations like to hire women only to create a healthy culture. Globally, in 2010, women formed only eight per cent of the logistics workforce, steadily increasing to 20 per cent in 2018. In India, this number currently stands at approximately 15 per cent and is expected to reach the global average by 2023. Considering the focus and concerted efforts across the sector, we now witness women taking up senior and mid-management leadership roles.”
Her learning phase was steep. She recalls, “I had to understand the nitty-gritty of the trade and indulge in extensive communication to keep all the stakeholders informed. But I have been blessed with a great team who supported me.
Alka shares that women keep the balance between the vendors and customers. “Their patience and calculated risks put every woman on the top. This industry’s main assets are people, and we must encourage and develop women at an early age to take their careers to the next level.”
She doesn’t find any drawbacks to working as a woman. “It opens up many avenues to explore and learn the trade apart from networking.”
She also praises the government for ensuring this industry receives special status. “That’s why the logistics policy was launched. Besides, many process improvements have been undertaken to speed up supply chain management. However, there is much to do, and this government is committed to easing things and facilitating business partners.”
Alka reveals the factors that led to her success. “Learning the trade dynamics, understanding processes, strong coordination between clients and service providers, managing the timelines, and knowing that you are hard-pressed globally.”
Alka recommends making a career here for young women because there is much to learn and growth opportunities. She adds, “You become stronger as a professional and capable of working under all conditions. You learn to take the next level challenges and grow up the ladder.”
Many organisations like to hire women only to create a healthy culture
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Women can potentially form half of workforce
With over 15 years of experience with brands like DTDC and Xpressbees, Niveddita shares her journey of fighting to become an accomplished L&D professional in logistics.
A woman in logistics growing up the ladder to become an accomplished Learning and Development (L&D) professional deserves kudos. Moreover, the industry in question has begun embracing women in varied profiles and senior roles.
“With increasing automation and complexity of processes, many roles have changed and been created in the new era of logistics companies where females are joining the workforce in large numbers.”
She’s seen the trend steadily evolve; women break the proverbial glass ceiling and play an important role in this industry. But reaching such heights is never easy.
“The major difficulty I faced during my tenure in the logistics companies as an L&D professional was with the infrastructure & transportation. Hubs are usually situated on the outskirt, and commuting is a significant concern. Also, branch offices usually have small premises. So, a separate washroom for males & females is unavailable. Usually, there is no permanent housekeeping staff. So, hygiene goes for a toss.”
Speaking on the advantages women get while working in logistics, Niveddita highlights the growing demand for individuals with strong analytical and technical skills and a strong orientation towards process adherence as our industry becomes more data-driven and technologically advanced.
“Globally, in any process-driven industry, women perform better than men and have lower attrition levels. Plus, the rotational shift helps maintain the work-life balance for women.”
But there are pros and cons for women here. While she identifies the various career options logistics provides women, like transportation, warehousing, and supply chain, she also spots the cons.
“Despite the growing importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, women in logistics still face gender bias and discrimination, particularly in male-dominated areas of the industry.”
She feels women can potentially form 50 percent of the country’s workforce, and receiving recognition from the government and industry leaders has been a major support.
“If women are not hired, you miss them from the pull. Therefore, both government and leaders are willing to hire females. As per government norms, organizations have framed various policies for the safety and security of female employees.”
Networking and relationship building has always defined how the logistics industry thrives. Niveddita acknowledges that building relationships with industry professionals can help provide support, information, and opportunities for growth.
She shares, “Effective communication is crucial and involves stakeholder coordination and collaboration. Logistics demands the management of complex systems; success requires high accuracy and attention to detail.”
For the next-gen female professionals, Niveddita suggests attending industry events and connecting with other women to build your network.
“Stay updated on industry trends by reading industry publications and attending conferences and seminars. Plus, having a mentor can provide guidance, support, and advice as you navigate your career.”
Logistics encompasses various job roles, thus providing women with many career options
