In the early part of the coronavirus pandemic, Nick Svoboda was working from home and experiencing less-than-fulfilling work interactions, despite enjoying his role and employer at the time.
Svoboda was contacted by Intek Plastics Inc.'s prior supply chain manager. He went for an on-site visit and learned that safe hybrid work was an option. "I was really excited to see the culture and initiatives the organization was working on. Additionally, I was drawn in by the autonomy that would come with role and the strong and supportive leadership I was able to interact with," said Svoboda, who studied operations and supply chain management at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
"My greatest professional achievement was navigating supply crises [that] happened at the end of 2020 and early parts of 2021. Hurricanes Laura and Delta hit with a lot of impact to plastics, and in early 2021, the deep freeze in Texas caused significant disruption. Processes to deal with shortages, allocations and outages needed to be developed expediently, as well as communication processes with the wider organization, suppliers and customers," he said.
Intek developed these processes quickly and efficiently, and it dealt with these issues transparently. The company also worked cross-functionally to make quick and appropriate decisions to source alternative compounds and provide options and solutions to customers. "I took a lot of pride in my achievements through this situation, as well as the entire organization's quick action and problem-solving," Svoboda said.
His current challenge at work is facing the future, which includes "awesome and revolutionary new technologies and tools [that] will be most useful to our organization."
Svoboda said he is fascinated by controlled environment agriculture and growing food in greenhouses.
"I am very interested to see where that market goes as I really like the idea of fresh produce being grown closer to the location that it is consumed, the potential reduction of food-borne illnesses, the access to food in climates where it historically may not otherwise be available, and as these CEA greenhouses become more efficient, providing healthy foods at a price which people can afford more easily," he said.
Svoboda is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers and frequently has peer discussions with others in manufacturing and management. He has been a mentor to student members of the Association for Supply Chain Management at UW–Eau Claire.
Svoboda's wife, Ella, also works in supply chain as a master planner. The two met through ASCM. Their family belongs to a local church, and they look for volunteer and donation opportunities that arise from that community.