How Hitachi’s Inclusive Workplace Policies Empower the Working Woman

We speak to Ms Alice Po, 51, General Manager, Value Integration Group, (Procurement) who will be promoted to Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) for the Global Market from 1 April 2024. She shares with us the challenges of being a working mother, and how Hitachi’s inclusive workplace policies help her juggle between work and family.

Why did you join Hitachi and how does your personal values align with your job?

I wanted to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initially, but they required a higher proficiency of working Malay language for that career path. Since I majored in International Business (Bachelor degree & Masters), I joined Hitachi as it had a big manufacturing base in ASEAN, and I also wanted to bridge Japanese culture and Southeast Asia cultures.  

Could you share your journey at Hitachi and how you have grown in the organisation?

During a students’ career fair in university, I chanced upon Hitachi and decided to apply.  As I was from a non-engineering background, the hiring process started with an interview to ascertain the most suitable department for me. I expressed interests in Procurement and was assigned a procurement role in Singapore.  

How does Hitachi’s DEI policies help you to juggle work and being a Mum?

I’m Malaysian and my family is in Malaysia. Due to work commitments, I only spend time with my husband and 3 children over the weekends. I return to Johor on Friday evenings after work. The company allowed me flexibility to return home early on Fridays to catch the public transport to Johor. When I had my third child in 2008, I felt slightly overwhelmed juggling work and family. After discussion with my superiors and HR, they gave me the flexibility of a 4-day work week. I’m grateful to have an understanding husband as well as a supportive mum-in-law who cared for my children while I was working in Singapore.

Were there any personal struggles that has helped to shape what you are today?

As I’m based in Singapore, I do sometimes experience the guilt of not carrying out my duties as a mother and wife. But I will never quit Hitachi because it is the work commitment and passion for the company that drives me. I cherish the weekends I spend with my family. Moments like packing snacks for my children when they attend schools on Sundays are precious to me. Because of the limited time I have with them each week, it has brought us closer. I am close to my children and my teens even share their secrets with me!

As a woman, what are some personal aspirations you have for the future?

Being the first ASEAN woman to be appointed as CPO, I am both excited about this opportunity and humbled by it. In my new role, I hope to manage the change of transformation globally. In Procurement, we have moved from cost reduction to co-creating synergy with key partners, and towards sustainability. We aim to have a greener value chain by incorporating ecologically-friendly materials. We are targeting to achieve win-win solutions with our partners by solving problems together. Every set of problem is unique and we hope to facilitate, manage and be the bridge between our partners and engineers/designers.

What advice would you give to young women who are starting their professional careers?

It is important for young women to justify what suits them best, and not to give up easily even when things are not going their way at first. Do have the conviction and tenacity to stick around to learn and experience as much as possible, because Rome was not build in one day.

What are some inspirational life philosophies that you live by?

You should always believe in yourself and your self-worth, even when it seems that nobody else does. Your self-confidence should not depend on someone else’s’ validation of your work. Learn to recognise the great work that you do, and have the courage to experience and recognise failures. One should also have the courage to speak up in difficult situations when the easy way out is just to remain silent, and to create the mutual understanding between parties.

What is your leadership philosophy and style?

I feel that a leader’s role is to manage people. When we trust the team, the team will in turn feel respected and reciprocate. I will take time to understand my team’s challenges – both personal and at work. It is also important to exercise fairness to the team, because every member has their own challenges and there will never be a one size fits all solution.