Exclusive Interview with
SCIN Consumer Goods and Service Dept Deputy Business Head (Textiles) Ms Sangeeta Jain
“Hard work produces luck and success.”
Ms Sangeeta Jain
SCIN’s Consumer Goods and Service Dept Deputy Business Head (Textiles)
Sumitomo Corporation India Private Limited, New Delhi Head Office
South Asian countries such as India have shown a significant growth in textile and clothing in recent years. As Deputy Business Head – Textiles (under SCIN’s Consumer Goods and Service Dept), how are you jumping on the bandwagon? Please share with us your vision for your business.
India is the 2nd largest producer of textile products in the world. Further, its cultural diversity and heritage are reflected in its unique handicraft techniques and fabric varieties. The country has seen significant development in the textile industry in recent years with an increased appreciation for Indian techniques and styles in the foreign market.
My vision for the business is to display India as a strong manufacturing hub, which specialises in all products from head-to-toe with a capacity for round-the-year production. Japan being the 3rd largest importer of textile, only imports 1% of it from India. I want to see an increase in this number in the coming years.
At garment exhibition with buyer and supplier in Japan
We are constantly working with our stakeholders to achieve this target. On the supplier side, we are training our vendors to work on QRS (quick response system) and cope with quick deliveries. On the buyer side, we proactively keep them updated with the latest trends and encourage them to visit India to see the vertical setup factories producing fiber to garment which has already attracted big brands like Uniqlo, Mujirushi to manufacture in India.
The biggest limitation today is quality control and timely delivery, which are the two most important factors for a country like Japan, our main buyer. To fix this issue, I want to set up a Sumitomo Inspection House to have more control in ensuring superior quality and timely delivery.
We are hopeful that our efforts will bear fruitful results in the coming years. We will continue to challenge ourselves to promote Indian textile products.
In Tokyo at Sumitomo office
Describe your leadership style and how you lead others. Did you have leadership moments that you felt were unique to being a female leader?
How would you encourage our female leaders or colleagues to pursue their dreams?
All of us as individuals have different styles of working, different things that motivate us, and even different quirks. As they say some flowers bloom in sunlight and some in shade, I believe in giving my team the space to find out what works best for them and flourish. The more diverse we are in terms of ethnicity, age, gender, etc. the better our perspectives and our chances of stumbling upon new ideas. I want my team to take up new challenges and always know that I have their back.
As a female leader, I am able to empathise with my colleagues’ problems at both work and home, and give them the adequate support required.
I would like to tell all my female colleagues to always believe in themselves and be themselves! There is a lot of strength in authenticity, empathy, vulnerability and kindness. We all have the courage we need within us, we just need to own it!
What personal sacrifices have you made throughout your career?
How do you balance career, personal life and passion? Is there such a thing as balance?
For the longest time we had a very small team in the textile department and the work demanded a lot of time and attention. There was a lot of travelling involved and I used to be away from home for long periods. When I look back, I regret not spending enough time with family especially my daughter when she was a little girl. Funnily, now she is working herself and hardly spends time with me.
I do believe there is such a thing as balance and now I try to maintain it myself by drawing boundaries between home and work. That being said, my work truly energises me. I have been very lucky to work on something that I am very passionate about.
With my team at a supplier’s family wedding
In office with Japanese colleagues
In the office pantry making my morning mid-day tea
Family time in Shillong, Meghalaya, India
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SNAPSHOT
I strongly believe in… karma
I spend most of my time.. listening to old Bollywood movie songs & watching Pakistani dramas
The food I crave most often is… my mom’s home cooked meals
One personal rule that I never break is… to be on time (I try my best)
The thing that cheers me up whenever I think about is… my daughter’s achievements
One thing I really want but can’t afford yet is… a house with a big garden and a swing
If I could go back in time, I would… maintain a better work-life balance and spend more time with my family
If I have enough money to live comfortably without having to work, I would… go to Thailand every weekend for a spa
