
An Exemplary Operational Head Driving Organisational Success
Dhritiman Chakraborty
Director Operations
Ingram Micro
I n the realm of operational excellence, few leaders possess the remarkable capabilities and experience demonstrated by Dhritiman Chakraborty, Director of Operations, Ingram Micro. As an esteemed operational head, Dhritiman has become synonymous with driving organisational success through his exceptional expertise in managing and optimising operational processes. With a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in translating strategic vision into tangible results, he has consistently proven his ability to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and maximise productivity.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dhritiman has been a catalyst for change, propelling organisations to new heights of operational excellence. With a keen focus on meeting customer expectations, he has implemented robust frameworks. His dedication to continuous improvement has resulted in the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, further enhancing operational efficiency, and driving innovation.
To learn more about his leadership skills and traits, TradeFlock interviewed Dhritiman. Here are excerpts from our conversation.
Starting as an executive and becoming Director of Operations today, how has your role evolved over the years, and how has it impacted your leadership style?
Honestly speaking, it has been quite an enriching journey for me. When I think about my early years in the industry, it gives me a mix of emotions. Over the years, my role has expanded from managing specific operations and tasks to overseeing the entire operational trajectory of the organizations I work with. I’ve been entrusted with the responsibility of establishing and improving operational processes across various industries like Pharma, FMCG, Chemicals, and now IT distribution. This has been a continuous learning and adaptability journey where every step demands a unique approach. With each role, I learned that operations management is not just about implementing strategies but also about fostering an environment of trust, respect, and continuous learning.
With time, my leadership style has evolved from being task-oriented to being people oriented. As an executive, the focus was mainly on delivering individual tasks.
Now, as Director of Operations, it is about guiding teams towards achieving collective organizational goals. I believe in empowering people, providing learning opportunities, and leading by example. I’ve also honed my analytical thinking and quick learning skills, which are crucial for effective leadership in this rapidly evolving industry.
What have been some of the most significant technological advancements or tools that have transformed the way you manage operations?
Throughout my career in supply chain management, vital technological advancements have significantly transformed the way we manage operations. The integration of ERP tools has streamlined diverse operations, reduced errors, and improved decisionmaking. Handheld devices have enhanced warehouse efficiency, revolutionized procedures, and reduced manual errors. Real-time inventory tracking and management tools have optimized stock levels and costs, ensuring supply chain efficiency. Safety and security technologies have crucially protected our products and improved our staff’s working conditions. Furthermore, digital tools have transformed our order-to-delivery tracking, enhancing speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
Lastly, data analytics has offered strategic business insights, enabling accurate demand forecasting, bottleneck identification, and supply chain optimization. Going forward, AI and ML hold exciting prospects for predictive analysis and optimization in our sector, promising a future of enhanced efficiency and precision. In fact, owing to the pace at which technologies are evolving in the digital era, I anticipate that distribution companies will keep unraveling new areas of process optimization.
What are the biggest operational challenges you encounter in your role, and how do you overcome them?
In my role now, the challenges are multifaceted, ranging from ensuring operational efficiency and process optimization to managing supply chain complexities. The shift towards digitization has been another significant challenge.
Overcoming these challenges requires a robust, adaptable strategy. I use data analytics to monitor operational performance and identify areas for improvement. My experience across various industries has provided me with a deep understanding of logistical complexities, enabling me to optimize our supply chain and logistics operations. Furthermore, I leverage training, coaching, and mentoring to ensure our team stays at the forefront of technological changes.
As you transition into the role of Director of Operations from Director of Distribution, how are you leveraging your previous learnings today?
The fundamental nature of the role, to a certain extent, has been similar. However, the degree of complexity has increased due to the dynamic nature of the industry, a multi-brand operation, and customized expectations on customer SLAs. My distribution background and previous experiences have been invaluable in my current role. Understanding how distribution fits into the giant operational puzzle has allowed me to develop more cohesive and efficient strategies.
The lessons I learned while managing dealers’ claims, setting up 3PL operations, optimizing supply chain costs, handling supply chain for dangerous goods, leading ERP implementations, and utilizing data analytics for operational efficiency now enable me to develop a 360-dgeree approach to overall operations management. In essence, my experience in distribution has provided me with the foundation for managing end-to-end operations.