You have been part of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors since 2000 and have held various buying positions within the company. This sounds like some people in Europe should already know the new Vice President!
Kathy Worthen: Yes, some in GPSC are familiar with me, as I recently was the Commodity Executive Director of Global Chassis Purchasing. I have held various jobs in the Direct Material area, which includes Global Commodity Manager, team leader and planner. I actually started in GPSC with a finance role in 2000, which brought me to EU to train the organization on contract audits. Many of the people I interacted with in the finance project and in later years in the Direct Material assignments are still in the organization. I really look forward to continuing the good working relationship, because I highly appreciated and enjoyed the open, professional and honest way we communicated and did business together. And I also look forward to working with the whole Opel Group team.
Can you share some cultural differences between Europe and the States, and if, how you experienced that? In addition, how did you approach your new task in Europe?
I am familiar with the German Culture to a certain extent, as my husband was born and raised in Germany. Also, I was just recently provided a book from one of my employees on the differences between Germans and Americans. It was an interesting read – some of the situations in the book did connect to reality to a certain degree. I think the differences, whether it be cultural or even just personality differences, drive good debate and thought that generate good business results. In my experience, understanding cultures is all about understanding individuals. This clearly requires that you listen to people and strive to understand their thoughts, their background and their motivation. When I got the new task in Europe, it was clear that I would be a new employee to many that were experts in their field, and I knew that there was a very capable team in place. Therefore, I spent the first couple of weeks absorbing what I could, asking a lot of questions in order to extend my knowledge gradually. I rely on the expertise of my team. It is my task as a leader to achieve that level of confidence in the relationship.
In this context, which keywords would you use to describe the role of every person in your team? Maybe you can also provide an outside view on this, because prior to joining GM you were with EDS as a Case Analyst for Chevrolet Motor Division and held various leadership positions within EDS.
EDS was indeed a different business and it was many years ago, but the following are common and should be an independent base for each company culture: Entrepreneurship, feeling accountable, engaging, flexible, focused, and last but not least making yourself available to the people (open communication). During a talent acquisition event last year, I was asked to share my experience on what I did to get where I am as a leader today. My answer was total commitment, being accountable and follow through on an execution plan. Whether you make mistakes or achieve something good, executing a plan takes you in multiple directions and are all opportunities to grow and to learn. Your environment will notice if you are fully behind something and have the passion to drive for success. Just stay focused and continue with the good cause. By the way, if one goes in that direction there is a strong link to the intention of the “Umparken im Kopf” campaign. I really like this approach.
Purchasing has global operations and global objectives. Can you share some priorities that you will focus on in Europe?
In terms of our performance and contribution to the turnaround, the focus will be on total enterprise cost and program execution excellence. This is not something new to the organization and we are fully aligned on the global level. Thus, I am not going to reinvent the wheel. We will continue and execute what Susanna Webber already put in place and further develop from there.
What was your first car?
That is an easy one! My first car was a blue Chevrolet Cavalier Convertible. My current one is an Insignia. I really like this car and the possibility of eventually getting back into a convertible in Europe. I also enjoy the circumstances allowing and always with maximum safety of course, of driving a little bit faster in Europe, especially since it is legal!
Thank you very much for this interview. We wish you and your team all the best!
Kathy Worthen is Vice President, Purchasing and Supply Chain, Europe and Member of the Board of Opel Group since September 2014. She previously held the position of GM Executive Director of Chassis Systems for Global Purchasing and Supply Chain.
She has been part of Global Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors since 2000. She has held various buying positions within the company, along with various Global Commodity Manager positions.
Prior to joining GM in 2000, Kathy Worthen was with EDS in Troy, MI as a Case Analyst for Chevrolet Motor Division. She held various leadership positions with EDS.
She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Oakland University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Walsh.