From a childhood spent at his father’s manufacturing site to becoming a supply chain professional with over eight years of experience, Dharit Shah shares how his journey from Information Technology (IT) to Industrial Engineering led him to solve some of the most critical challenges businesses face today.
The Path from IT to Industrial Engineering
Dharit Shah’s career began in a place where logic and problem-solving were vital skills— Information Technology. After completing his Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology from the University of Mumbai, Dharit realized that his passion for logical reasoning, algorithm development, and optimization did not necessarily align with the traditional world of coding and software development. Instead, he found a new opportunity in the emerging field of Industrial Engineering (IE), a discipline that bridged the gap between engineering and business processes.
“I was always good at solving complex problems, creating logical algorithms, and optimizing processes, but I wasn’t particularly drawn to writing lines of code,” Dharit explains. “Industrial
Engineering seemed like the perfect fit for me because it allowed me to apply my IT skills in the real world while solving business problems.”
Dharit took this newfound interest further by pursuing a Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago, which opened the door to a career in supply chain management. But how did this shift from IT to IE come about, and what exactly is Industrial Engineering?
The Connection Between Industrial Engineering and Supply Chain Management
Industrial Engineering (IE) focuses on optimizing complex systems and processes, from improving efficiency in manufacturing to enhancing service delivery. It combines elements of mechanical engineering with business principles, including cost management, quality improvement, process optimization, facility design, and supply chain management. According to Dharit, the essence of IE is its focus on operational efficiency and resource optimization, making it a natural fit for the world of supply chain management.
“Think of Industrial Engineering as an MBA for mechanical engineering. It’s about looking at the business side of technical systems,” he says. “In my case, supply chain management caught my attention because it involved the kind of problem-solving and optimization I was passionate about.”
In supply chain management, a key aspect of Industrial Engineering, the goal is to ensure a consistent flow of goods and services that meet customer demand while maintaining cost
efficiency. For Dharit, this meant creating models and systems to balance supply and demand, ensuring a seamless flow of products from supplier to consumer, and minimizing costs through process optimization.
Supply Chain Management: A Key Area of Interest
“Supply chain management is, in many ways, the most connected field to IT,” Dharit continues. “We use data, algorithms, and forecasting to predict demand, optimize production schedules, and streamline logistics. A lot of it involves creating models in tools like Excel or specialized
software to help businesses make informed decisions.”
Dharit’s interest in supply chain management was further strengthened by his early experiences at his father’s manufacturing site. “I spent a lot of time there as a kid, so I was always fascinated by how goods were produced, stored, and delivered. I could see how inefficiencies could lead to delays or extra costs, and I knew there had to be better ways to handle it.”
Supply chain management, as Dharit learned during his studies and later in his professional career, includes creating models for logistics flow, optimizing transportation routes, and using data to predict demand and plan resources. And when there are disruptions in the supply chain— be it forecast errors, unexpected demand, or transportation delays—creating a root cause analysis to ensure that similar issues do not occur again is crucial.
Building a Skillset to Drive Success
Dharit’s eight-plus years of experience in various industries, including automotive, food manufacturing, and consumer packaged goods (CPG), have given him a solid foundation in the multifaceted nature of supply chain management. Over the years, he has led successful initiatives to optimize production processes, improve delivery performance, and reduce excess inventory.
“In the automotive industry, for example, I helped optimize safety stock levels, freeing up cash that had previously been tied up in excess inventory,” he explains. “I also helped companies achieve On-Time In-Full (OTIF) rates of 95% or higher, which is a key performance indicator for many businesses in the supply chain.”
Dharit has also helped companies navigate system transitions, including moving from an AS400 ERP to JD Edwards, and he has developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline processes. One of his notable achievements was the introduction of aggregate demand planning to optimize production capacity and reduce overtime costs.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, I implemented a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) process that reduced lead times from 30+ weeks to between 22 and 24 weeks. This was a major achievement, especially during such an unpredictable time,” Dharit adds.
The Vision for the Future
After years of experience, Dharit has gained valuable insights into the core principles of supply chain management. While the industry continues to evolve, he believes that the fundamental goal of supply chain professionals will always remain the same: optimizing processes to meet the needs of the customer while driving business success.
“My vision for the future is to continue working across different industries—whether it’s tangible products, intangible services, or human resources—and help businesses optimize their supply chains for the most efficient outcomes,” he says.
Dharit’s goal is to refine his forecasting abilities, create stronger processes, and tackle the emerging challenges in the supply chain world. “I want to work toward achieving the most accurate forecasts, building processes that work across different industries, and learning how to prevent future disruptions in the supply chain.”
For Dharit Shah, the future is all about using his skills to create better, more efficient supply chains that meet the needs of customers while ensuring long-term business success. And as the world of supply chain management continues to grow more complex, his expertise will undoubtedly help shape the way companies navigate these challenges in the years to come.
Conclusion: Dharit Shah’s career reflects the power of adapting one’s skillset to solve real- world problems. From his foundation in Information Technology to his current expertise in Industrial Engineering and supply chain management, Dharit exemplifies the diverse opportunities that exist at the intersection of technology, engineering, and business. As he looks toward the future, his vision of optimizing supply chains across industries promises to continue driving innovation in the field.
