Discussion with Canada Goose's Vice President, Danny Wang – Seasoned Leadership in Action™ Insight Interview!
Our platform celebrates sharing expertise and experiences from various industries worldwide. With that, we proudly present our interview series, Seasoned Leadership in Action. Today, we chat with Danny Wang, the Vice President of Sourcing and Procurement at Canada Goose.
I first crossed paths with Danny at Celestica, where we were both in the Commodity Management team, focused on Strategic Sourcing and Procurement. It was evident early on that Danny was exceptionally sharp and brimming with career potential. It's fantastic to see Danny successful in his journeys.
Canada Goose's efforts to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the pandemic are truly inspiring. And Danny's work in sourcing and procurement lies at the heart of this remarkable feat. We extend our gratitude to Danny and the entire team at Canada Goose for their extraordinary efforts.
Without further ado, here's our interview with a true industry leader, Danny Wang!
Let's dive in, Danny. Tell us a bit about your background and experience.
Danny Wang, currently the VP of Sourcing and Procurement at Canada Goose, manages both Direct and Indirect spends, as well as replenishment planning and purchasing. He graduated with an Engineering degree from Queen's University, leading him to kickstart his career in manufacturing and supply chain at Celestica.
Following a successful tenure in expanding Celestica's international build-to-print supply base, Danny completed his MBA at Ivey and dove into his retail consulting career with Accenture. He facilitated numerous strategic sourcing transformations and assessments at Walgreens, HBC/L&T/Saks, Staples, JC Penny, and Canadian Tire.
Afterward, Danny returned to the industry, working at Walmart Canada leading several indirect categories. Currently, he resides in Toronto, sporting a Canada Goose jacket each week.
What are some of your greatest achievements in business?
When asked about his achievements, Danny fondly recalls the individuals he's been able to coach and mentor. Watching these individuals apply his advice and thrive in their roles is a source of immense pleasure for Danny. His keen eye for spotting high potentials with a shared learning-focused mindset has helped many in their careers.
How has business and supply chain changed over the course of your career?
In Danny's perspective, the principles guiding business and supply chain have remained constant throughout his career. The values of adaptability, diligence, cost transparency, and clear communication continue to be pillars of success.
However, technology has greatly accelerated the pace of gathering information and executing decisions. Some companies have wholeheartedly embraced this change and achieved remarkable success, while others have struggled to make informed decisions. Common sense remains essential in navigating the information age.
What lessons from your career would you like to share with others?
Patience and a willingness to learn are crucial for career growth. Danny encourages individuals to put themselves in situations that push them to learn new skills or try new things. Career development often comes through seizing opportunities, even when they seem uncomfortable or unconventional.
Investing in oneself, whether through education or taking on parallel or lower-level roles to gain new experiences, can significantly accelerate career growth. This tactic, according to Danny, allowed him to quickly move up the ranks and leapfrog his peers.
What challenges facing the world are important to you?
Currently, the world faces the Covid-19 pandemic.
What role does business, supply chain, and change leadership play in addressing such challenges?
Canada Goose's response to the Covid-19 crisis exemplifies the united efforts of business, supply chain, and change leadership in tackling global issues. With the company's Canadian manufacturing base, apparel expertise, and executive leadership's guidance, everyone was empowered to adapt quickly and take action. This streamlined the process, enabling quick production of 60,000+ isolation gowns per week for healthcare entities across Canada.
Effective change management, focusing on a common goal and removing potential barriers, played a crucial role in mobilizing the organization swiftly. This allowed Canada Goose to efficiently secure raw materials, start production, and make a significant impact on the pandemic crisis.
What advice would you give to those considering a career in Sourcing and Procurement?
Danny didn't initially plan to join the sourcing and procurement field. However, numerous roles across various functions helped him better understand the scope of this field.
His advice for those contemplating a career in sourcing and procurement is to have a passion for identifying people's needs, sourcing suitable supplies, collaborating to meet budgets, legal constraints, and timelines, and occasionally negotiating based on facts. Being comfortable with never being an expert on every product or service is also essential in this field.
In its most mature form, sourcing and procurement can be strategic and crucial to a company's success and profitability. The role integrates with the enterprise to empower everyone to identify better suppliers and more efficient ways to consume goods and services while minimizing bias and complacency.
Overall, sourcing and procurement can be a rewarding career path for those seeking tangible results and a fulfilling career journey.
- Danny Wang, with his extensive background in Engineering, Commodity Management, MBA, and retail consulting, showcases the Nuanced Intersection of Leadership, Business, and Technology, significantly contributing to the finance aspect through his work in Sourcing and Procurement.
- The dynamic nature of business and supply chain gradually evolving over the years, as highlighted by Danny, demonstrates the crucial role of Leadership in driving seamless Adaptation to new Technological advancements, ensuring continued growth and success.
