Gorgeous Girls In Supply Chain: Katie Kaczmarek
Welcome to our series celebrating the incredible women in Supply Chain and Logistics! In a traditionally male-dominated field, it's important to shine a light on the inspiring women who are making a significant impact. Through a mix of insightful and fun questions, we’ll explore their journeys, challenges, and successes. While we acknowledge the contributions of everyone in this industry, this series aims to elevate the voices and stories of women who often get missed. Let’s meet Katie Kaczmarek.
KATIE KACZMAREK
Working as a Training Coordinator at Bridge Logistics, Katie is known for her wit, warmth, and determination. Her journey into logistics began unexpectedly in 2018 when a longtime customer recognized her potential.
Katie’s role is all about helping others grow—whether solving problems, streamlining processes, or encouraging new hires. She thrives on meaningful moments, like celebrating milestones with carriers or sharing wisdom with her team.
Her philosophy of pulling up a chair, rather than waiting for an invitation, can inspires other women across the logistics field to step into their power.
What is your current role and company?
Training Coordinator
How did you end up in the world of supply chain?
I had been a men's wardrobe consultant for 14 years and on Black Friday of 2017 I mentioned to a regular customer of mine and his wife that had been shopping with me for 12 years that this would be their last holiday season shopping with me. They asked me what I was going to do, I replied that I was going to get a 9-5 job, the gentleman asked what I was specifically going to do. I just blurted out, I don't know Jim, I'm just getting out of retail and am going to get a 9-5. He told me to submit my resume to him and I started here at Bridge in January of 2018. The customer was Jim Campbell, the cofounder and president of Bridge Logistics inc. It was the only time I put it out in the universe that I was looking for another job, it was meant to be. Side note, in January of 2000 I signed up for the Army Reserves and my MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was water treatment specialist, which was a part of the Quartermaster branch of the Army, which in plain English meant I was a logistician.
What is your favourite part of your work day?
When I get to help a teammate solve a problem, streamline something, learn something new myself or when I get to tell a new hire on their first day that our recruiting team went through about 350-400 applicants to get to them. I have a core memory of one day in particular of when a carrier called and asked to speak to someone in accounting, I asked what it was concerning in case I could be of help and they told me they needed to take their factoring company off of their account, they were no longer needed to factor. I was so excited for them and congratulated her, she cried, I cried, and it was just such an awesome conversation to have.
What is the least favourite part of your work day?
Is it cliche if I say I really don't have one? Maybe I guess when I'm learning something that could be detrimental to a branch of the supply chain such as the transparency ruling that is going to come down or hearing that someone I trained is trying to take a shortcut (doesn't happen often but it still makes me crazy).
What is a systemic issue in your part of the supply chain that concerns you currently?
The parking issue, for every 11 class 8 trucks on the road there is only 1 safe parking slip and drivers spend on average 57 minutes of their day looking for parking.
How would you address it if you had the power, money, or influence?
I would encourage facilities with the room to offer overnight parking. I would offer tax breaks to companies that build parking facilities or maybe enact a mandate that there could only be so many facilities within a certain radius of parking areas. I don't know honestly, I don't have the answers, but I know it concerns us all, not just the drivers.
What is one piece of advice you have for young women entering your field?
Don't ask for a seat at the table. Pull up a chair. Self-education is the best way to go about that, keep asking questions, stay listening and make the mistakes, it's the best way to learn. There's an old saying that even if you shoot for the moon and don't make it, you'll still land amongst the stars. That's BS, there are no stars between us and the moon, land on the moon.
What are your top 3 podcasts? (do not have to be industry related)
Who are your top 5 women in supply chain to follow on LinkedIn?
How do you deal with creeps you encounter in your work day?
I'm really lucky that I don't really anymore but in my previous career, I would play dumb and ask them to explain the joke to me because I don't get it, this makes them realize what an ass they are. If I'm on the phone with a carrier and they call me something like "Honey" or "Sweetheart" I call them "Sport" or "Champ".
What is your favourite way to unwind?
Sometimes it's going to a good dinner with my best friend but more often than not, I'm curled up with a good book and a glass of wine. I think as of today I've read 232 books this year, I have no life, clearly. Also, I make a point to drink the good wine on a bad day. Don't save the good bottle for a celebration, if it's a celebration you won't care what you're drinking. So drink the good stuff when you have had a tough day.
What have you recently changed your mind about?
The Werner case, with all of the new information I learn, it's not as cut and dry as it first seemed. (Thanks Matthew Leffler)
Must haves to get you thru the day?
Black Tea
A Good Book
Taylor Swift
A new quote (I love good quotes)
Interactions with my teammates
Social media for Katie:
