CORINNE BURROWS
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
Corinne Burrows , Supply Chain VP and former VP of Global Manufacturing at Japan Tobacco International ( JTI ) says the defining quality of leadership is leaving a legacy of positive change .
“ I don ’ t want to exit the workplace seeing the same statistics , the same behaviours and the same environment as when I entered it ,” she says .
“ This drives me to try to make a difference in what I do .”
And what a difference that is , profoundly shaping JTI ’ s manufacturing strategy and sustainability journey .
Corinne understands that leadership is a sustainability challenge , too . As the manufacturing sector struggles with hiring and retention , creating places where the next generation wants to work is of paramount importance .
Leadership and sustainability are one and the same – both intrinsically linked to manufacturers ’ fate and future competitiveness .
Corinne is embracing this at JTI , creating a culture of support , respect and challenge while pursuing a sustainable manufacturing strategy .
Q . WHAT WAS YOUR JOURNEY TO JTI LIKE ?
» I was always interested in maths , physics and chemistry at school . I can remember being told by my head teacher that engineering was not a profession for a young lady . I decided that if that really was the case , I definitely wanted to do it .
CORINNE BURROWS
TITLE : SUPPLY CHAIN VP
COMPANY : JAPAN TOBACCO INTERNATIONAL ( JTI )
INDUSTRY : TOBACCO LOCATION : GENEVA
Corinne oversees JTI ’ s supply chain operations across Western Europe and the Americas , managing an expansive network of warehouses , factories and the company ’ s manufacturing and logistics strategy .
With a background in mechanical engineering , Corrine has spearheaded JTI ’ s initiatives to create sustainable factories , embrace Industry 4.0 and enhance supply chain resiliency .
I did a mechanical engineering apprenticeship in the defence industry in the UK and then switched to the consumer goods industry .
I worked in my previous role for 25 years before retiring to spend time with family .
Then , guess what ? COVID-19 happened . So , for the next seven months , I was locked down in the UK , having a very family-centric summer . When the kids went back to school and things started to return to normal life , I thought ‘ okay , what am I going to do next ?’ manufacturingdigital . com 19