From Intern to Leader: How Roopesh Built His Logistics Career at P&G

Introduction

Roopesh, a senior director at Procter & Gamble (P&G), has spent 15 successful years carving a niche in the product supply function. Currently leading demand planning for P&G's Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa markets, his journey from intern to leader is an inspiring tale marked by professional growth, mentoring, and resilience.

Roopesh's academic background in bioengineering from NUS (National University of Singapore) was unexpected for a career in logistics. But his love for animals and his exposure to international influences helped him discover P&G while watching his favorite anime. Intrigued by the brand’s reputation and its multi-billion dollar products like Pampers and Tide, he decided to apply.

The interview process was rigorous, but Roopesh leveraged his national service experience, where he had the chance to lead teams in diverse environments to problem-solve effectively. Successfully completing his internship confirmed his belief that P&G was an excellent fit for him, as he connected with employees from various global backgrounds who treated him as a valuable team member.

Initially joining as a junior manager for the laundry unit, Roopesh later transformed his role to a global supply chain responsibility with Gillette. His rapid advancement to senior director involved overseeing the order-to-cash process, which emphasized the vast scope of product supply.

His varied experiences showcased the company's commitment to job rotation, which Roopesh views as essential for connecting suppliers to customers and making informed decisions. Passion for each role has fueled his continuous learning and growth in the organization.

Following his role in order-to-cash, Roopesh transitioned into a marketing role, managing markets across Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. A significant career-changing moment occurred when he was appointed to work in the Philippines for two years. This move was a bittersweet milestone, as his wife received a promotion that required her to return to Singapore after a few months, leading to a challenging split family arrangement.

Not everything went smoothly for Roopesh. His early months in the Philippines included a stressful incident where he mistakenly uploaded a faulty forecast, resulting in no orders flowing through to the plants. Fearing for his job, he contemplated drafting a resignation letter but chose to communicate with his manager, who reassured him of the fail-safes in the process and the value of learning from mistakes.

Reflecting on his journey, Roopesh emphasizes the critical role of mentoring, both for his development and as he mentors the next generation within P&G. He urges young professionals to stay hungry and humble, emphasizing continuous learning as a life principle.

Keywords

Roopesh
Procter & Gamble (P&G)
Product Supply Function
Asia Pacific
Middle East
Africa
Bioengineering
Internship
Job Rotation
Supply Chain
Marketing
Mentoring
Continuous Learning

FAQ

1. What was Roopesh's educational background?
Roopesh graduated with a degree in bioengineering from the National University of Singapore (NUS).

2. How did Roopesh discover Procter & Gamble?
He discovered P&G through anime and learned about their reputable brands such as Pampers and Tide.

3. What types of roles did Roopesh hold at P&G?
Roopesh has held several positions, including junior manager for the laundry unit, director overseeing order-to-cash processes, and manager for markets in Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

4. What major challenge did Roopesh face during his career?
One of his major challenges was an error in uploading a forecast while in the Philippines, which resulted in no orders flowing through.

5. What advice does Roopesh give to young professionals?
He advises them to stay hungry, humble, and open to continuous learning, emphasizing that these traits apply to all areas of life, not just FMCG.