Highlights
Julia Litvak: Leading The Charge for Responsive Supply Management at Medtronic
Julia began her journey as a Manufacturing Engineer at Raytheon
Company, an experience that shaped her analytical
thinking. She later expanded her skillset by working in Sales
& Marketing roles, setting her on a course that led to her
becoming a guiding force in Supply Management. Today,
Julia's leadership at Medtronic spans over 30 years of experience,
including significant contributions with Ahold USA, Staples, and
Ariba/SAP.
In her current role, Julia has built an RSM program that is more
than a compliance checklist—it is a living, breathing embodiment of
Medtronic’s mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend
life. But her mission doesn't stop there. With an added layer of commitment
to human rights, environmental stewardship, and ethical
behavior, she is guiding Medtronic toward a future where corporate
responsibility is a given, not an afterthought.
Under her guidance, the program has achieved remarkable success,
including an astonishing jump in the DJSI Supply Management
section's score from 42 to 85 points. Her strategy is comprehensive,
involving supplier risk analysis, sustainability performance assessments,
on-site audits, conflict minerals management, and Scope 3
GHG emissions disclosure. In all these facets, Julia ensures alignment
with corporate Enterprise Sustainability goals, making her a subject
matter expert representing Medtronic at various international
conferences.
Julia is also playing an integral part in executing due diligence across
the Medtronic supply chain. This includes supplier risk mapping
by aggregating multiple data streams across the complex supply
chain and product lines.
One significant aspect of her dedication to a better world is
Medtronic’s FY45 Decarbonization initiative for Net Zero emissions.
Recognizing the risks that climate change poses to human
health and long-term global financial stability, Medtronic, with
Julia as one of the key execution leaders for Scope 3, has set an
ambition to achieve net zero emissions across scopes 1, 2, and 3
by fiscal year 2045.
An essential component of Julia's success is her team. Corinna
Oien, Program Manager, and Jonah Simonds, Sr. Program Data
Analyst, have been instrumental in driving the program's efficacy
and reach. Julia emphasizes, “Without them, I would not be able
to take the Program to the level it is today.”
One of the most moving motivators behind Julia's dedication
to her work is a personal one. Her daughter Nicole's challenge that
her generation didn't care about social issues struck a chord. Julia's
response? Proving her wrong and ranking 9th among the Top 100
Corporate Social Responsibility Influence Leaders for 2018, joining
the ranks of leaders from Walt Disney Company, Google, Apple, and
AT&T. Her achievements were not only a professional triumph but
also a touching personal redemption, earning her daughter's pride.
Julia's efforts extend beyond the confines of her office. Her education
and certification as a Certified Professional in Supply Management
stand as a testament to her dedication to continuous learning and her
pursuit of excellence. She has also pioneered sustainability training
programs for Medtronic employees and suppliers, demonstrating
her vision for nurturing a culture of responsibility within and beyond
the company.
As SVP Chief Procurement Officer John Klein said, “Our suppliers
are an extension of us, and we expect no less from them as we do
from ourselves.” Julia Litvak has made these words a living reality at
Medtronic, reflecting a legacy of integrity, innovation, and influence.
Her story resonates not only within the company but as an exemplary
model for responsible supply management in the global corporate
landscape.
In a world where many are still navigating the complexities of
sustainability and corporate responsibility, Julia Litvak stands as a
beacon of leadership and commitment. Her promotion as Program
Director, RSM, acknowledges her significant contributions to the
field and Medtronic's confidence in her continued ability to drive
impactful change.
Julia's story inspires not just through her professional accomplishments,
but also through her steadfast dedication to proving that individuals
can make a difference. Her daughter's challenge may have ignited
a spark, but it is Julia's passion, expertise, and unwavering belief
in responsible practices that have fanned it into a roaring flame.
In the complex interplay of manufacturing operations, supply
management, and sustainability, Julia is an unsung hero whose
work has laid the foundation for a more ethical and responsible
future. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to
her principles showcase a remarkable story that is both engaging
and inspiring. The world needs more leaders like Julia Litvak,
who not only preach responsibility but live it, breathe it, and
inspire others to do the same. Her work is a testament to what
one individual's passion, coupled with expertise, can achieve in
shaping a better world. Her story will undoubtedly continue to
inspire and influence others in the field for years to come.