Supply-chain problems have been a global issue since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and Stephanie Ryskasen \u201909\/M.B.A. \u201911 is one of the people who solves them. \u201cAt the end of the day that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to do \u2014 get the product to the shelf,\u201d said Ryskasen of her job in sales forecasting.<\/p>\n
The road to her job at Ferrero \u2014 makers of Nutella and Tic Tac \u2014 has been personal and rewarding. A child
\nof Italian immigrants, she\u2019d hoped to stay close, but not too close, to home for her college education. In coming to Seton Hall, Ryskasen found a place that \u201cfelt like it was home.\u201d<\/p>\n
After graduation, Ryskasen started a finance position at Ciao Bella, another food company, and took advantage of the flexibility afforded by the Stillman School of Business to pursue her master\u2019s degree. She was able to transition to Ferrero, her \u201cdream job,\u201d which allowed her to work with products she enjoyed as a child. She also switched from finance to sales forecasting, after good experiences with the sales team (a \u201cgreat time,\u201d she says) at Ciao Bella.<\/p>\n
The onset of the pandemic was a shock to every retailer\u2019s sales plans and models. \u201cThe ability to forecast the future is always going to depend on the past,\u201d said Ryskasen. COVID\u2019s challenge for Ferrero was weathering the storm while being able to prepare for the future, with the addition of the pandemic\u2019s unwanted variables. Ryskasen emphasized the importance of team collaboration in forecasting sales in both normal and abnormal times, but found that the future is only so predictable. \u201cI think we have tools in place now that would help us manage through [future disruption].\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryskasen says she is living her dream with a passion that grew from her personal affinity and heritage into
\na full-blown career. The most rewarding part of her job, she says, are the people she gets to work with and help grow professionally.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s always my team,\u201d she says. As to her future, Ryskasen says that being open to different opportunities is important. \u201cThe reality of life and the reality of your career is really just continuous learning and growth.\u201d | Franklin J. Shobe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Supply-chain problems have been a global issue since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and Stephanie Ryskasen \u201909\/M.B.A. \u201911 is one of the people who solves them.<\/p>\n