In 1991, Allen Dickason, then IT director at Frito Lay, took advantage of PepsiCo's leadership program and accepted an assignment as VP of distribution for Frito Lay. After returning to the IT organization, and after CIO roles at Dean Foods and Kinko's, he became SVP of supply chain for Brach's Confections in 2004.
What to Expect
Your CIO background is an advantage. While CIOs will have a steeper learning curve when it comes to the weights and measures of raw materials, they will also have an advantage. "As a supply chain leader with a CIO background, you have a broader and more complete understanding of how your business and its systems work," says Dickason, who left Brach's in 2008 to do IT and supply chain strategy consulting. "When my suppliers struggle with their own technology issues, my systems background is a help to them. It allows for a better partner relationship and a smoother-running supply chain."
Executive committee credibility. CIOs who deliver quality IT services will certainly earn the respect of the executive committee. But move into a supply chain role and "the general managers and presidents see a different side of you," says Dickason. "The fact that you are multifunctional increases your value to the organization dramatically and matures you as an executive."
Martha Heller is managing director of the IT Leadership Practice at the ZRG, an executive recruiting firm in Boston.
Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.