"Together Talks" feature #55: Illes Foods and Elsy Ocejo, VP of Supply Chain
KLS - Klimson Logistics Solutions
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Some Background on Illes Foods
Today's edition of "Together Talks" campaign, KLS had the fortune to interview Elsy Ocejo, VP of Supply Chain for Illes Foods. From marinades and seasonings to beverage solutions and sauces, ILLES Foods provides custom-crafted culinary creations and R&D expertise to foodservice chains, food manufacturers, and grocery retailers.
The values they have learned and lived for the past 96 years – integrity, curiosity, and partnership – motivate their people to help customers be better with them than without them. These pillars are the driving forces behind Illes Foods' growth. Women make up almost 40% of the Illes' team. 1/8 female partners are in leadership positions, an increase of 50% compared to six years prior.
Empowerment through Networks
Elsy reflected on applying for the 1st ever VP of Supply Chain in the 96-year history of Illes Foods. She took us through her interview process, "I knew this would be a career progression for me. Even with holding newly created roles previously, I still must overcome the fear of imposter syndrome that many of us women possess being held back for so long. The interviews were getting harder, which meant the end was near. Going into what felt like it would be the final interview, I was told the hiring team was divided into the final two applicants. I remembered being in their position from when I had hired in the past, usually when a team is divided it is because the two candidates are opposite. I couldn't fear I wasn't right for the job or didn't deserve it. I needed to believe in myself and my abilities. My strengths were in supply chain, in strategy, I brought the whole package for the company not only in strategy but also implementing execution. I told myself to go for it and I presented them with my 90-Day plan on how to transform the organization's supply chain. (I got the job!)"
For Elsy at Illes, her first 90 days were about leading her team. She discovered their needs, how she can guide them to be their best selves, helping them grow and improving the processes better. One way she approaches this is by mapping informal networks. Elsy loves networks, unsurprising given her career path, she said every company she joins she first creates a network of associates. This helps her understand paths of communication, informal connections, and determine when and where to use a pipeline to effectively solve a situation. “Everyone in the organization is interconnected… every decision, every project, every event has a trickle effect in every person in the company. Supply Chain touches every aspect in the organization not only formally but informally, knowing internal informal networks helps accelerate the learning process and impact in a new or current role.”
But the pressure and doubt are fuel in addition to the high standards Elsy places on herself and the challenge that excites her. She doesn't take lightly the opportunity she was presented with and realizes that there is potential not just to make a difference at Illes Foods, but also within the industry, within supply chain, and within business period for women.
She explained how important it is for her to be a role model, to inspire other women. While also being a Hispanic leader in supply chain, Elsy considers it a privilege to encourage other females, including fellow Hispanics. She reflected on how women in this space have grown as compared to when her journey started over in Monterrey, Mexico over 20 years ago, but to her the work is not done. Elsy shared this final piece of advice, "Knowing your network inside the company and how you impact this network is what I'd recommend. Of all the chats I've had with women, one thing I notice is women hold themselves back to make a career progression, they underutilize their networks to get there. We often doubt ourselves before asking the question or putting our name in the hat when we are totally capable of. My hope is we continually progress forward and do so by taking the doubt out of our minds, eliminate the fear, and believe in yourself."
Legacy indeed.
Three Pillars
We asked Elsy what type of company would make a good partner for Illes Foods. She told us the company must match and represent the values of Illes. The first value being integrity. That is implemented by their trust, transparency, and results that are all executed with no excuses. Illes stays accountable by providing their value chain to each customer. Elsy said team members all possess a "can do" attitude, where regardless of the department, they will seek out a solution to any problem presented. An example of this, during the Pandemic, Illes Foods pivoted their manufacturing making and started producing hand sanitizer in house as the country was in a shortage. Illes Foods considers the 3 S's as competition, Seasonings, Sauces, and Syrups. We asked Elsy what differentiated Illes Foods from competition, she explained, "Most companies focus only on dry or liquid, very few do both. In addition, we provide full and custom-made recipes which are unique. Other companies have standard approaches or processes they offer, but we are fully customizable with proprietary recipes. We are the crossroads of culinary innovation for companies."
The next pillar of their values is being not just curious, but genuinely curious. Elsy told us that the value chain goes from suppliers all the way to customers, with Illes Foods helping in both directions. She shared with us how Illes takes the time to meet in person with companies they partner with, they ask questions to learn what is working, what is missing, what can Illes bring to the table. Elsy shared a favorite moment, "I got to sit in and try these different samples and be educated on the nuances and differing flavor profiles. I was able to participate and understand another side of our business." Often in this introductory discovery phase, Illes can guide a company to where they want to go without knowing how to get there. Being an extension of the company they are partnered with, enables Illes to discover solutions for customers with suppliers. Elsy shared, "Ultimately it is a win-win approach because we help the customer grow and as they grow so does Illes. When our interests are aligned is when that partnership truly grows. That is the benefit of our value chain."
The last of the three pillars is the power of partnership. A recent change implemented is team members of Illes Food are now considered partners. Partnership encompasses everything, the entire scope of the value chain. The change in terminology is translating the value and transparency of partnerships. Elsy told us it is a critical change in the culture that allows the company to grow partnerships not only externally, but internally as well. She also explained how the company is invested in its partners by attempting to help develop not just professionally, but personally as well. Specifically, to the team she leads, Elsy explained, "Understanding which tools are required for their education, development, and then growth is vital. Whether it is training, process experience, or leadership development. We not only want partners to grow in their positions, but we are providing the platform and resources enabling them to grow."
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Women Evolution of Supply Chain to Value Chain
Elsy's newly created role is unique because it encompasses the customer experience. As VP of supply chain Elsy oversees every aspect of Illes Food's value chain: procurement, logistics, project management, and customer service. She commended Illes Foods for creating this role, which she said very few small to medium-sized companies invest in. As she explained, "Often times companies of this size have logistics or procurement or supply chain, but very little attention is given to developing the department. Until something goes wrong and then suddenly it is important, but this women-led company understood the value of incorporating a complete overhaul of the value chain and that was extremely attractive to me."
As CEO, Cristin Illes Kahale, the founder’s great-granddaughter and the fourth generation of the family, put together a fantastic team of VPs, Elsy shared, stating she was the last one added to the Executive Committee team. She commended the dynamic conversations the teams have, collaborating and challenging on where the company will go, how to guide and lead each department and then bring those ideas to their respective teams.
Lastly, Elsy emphasized her career progression, "It's not what a company can give you, but what you can provide as value to a company that creates an opportunity for growth." She continued, "Career progression is about responsibility and enabling growth (through supply chain)...Not only presenting solutions that solve a problem but also following through with execution. These steps force you to step out of your comfort zone and grow."
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In Closing
KLS wants to thank Illes Foods and Elsy Ocejo, VP of Supply Chain for today's "Together Talks" feature.
Follow along for the Illes Food journey with their social handles below!
Also check out where Illes Foods has been featured in the following publications below!
Klimson Logistics Solutions - Together Talks with Illes Foods feature #55
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