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When people think about supply chains, they often picture the final step—getting products into customers’ hands. But according to Leavey School of Business alum Jasmine Ni, the real magic happens long before that.

“People tend to focus on the last leg—getting products from warehouses to stores or customers—but what they don’t see is the entire upstream process,” Ni explains. “Forecasting, planning, sourcing materials, and managing risks—all of that happens behind the scenes, but it’s just as critical to keeping supply chains running smoothly.”

As a Supply Chain Program Manager at Google, Ni ensures that critical equipment and resources are managed efficiently and strategically at scale. She focuses on supply chain operations, risk management, and driving overall efficiency to support Google’s global infrastructure. The pandemic, she notes, was a turning point for supply chain management, making companies rethink how they handle everything from sourcing materials to predicting demand.

“Before, supply chain management wasn’t really talked about much outside the industry. But after the pandemic, people saw how disruptions at any stage—whether it’s manufacturing delays or shortages of raw materials—can impact businesses everywhere,” Ni says.

To navigate these challenges, data-driven forecasting and risk analysis play a huge role. By studying trends, potential disruptions, and demand patterns, supply chain teams can make smarter, more proactive decisions. Ni describes her role as “just one piece of a much larger system, but every piece matters when it comes to keeping things running efficiently.”

Ni’s days are a mix of solving immediate issues and planning long-term improvements. Mornings often start with meetings to tackle urgent supply chain challenges, while afternoons are focused on analyzing data, refining supply chain processes, and collaborating with cross- functional teams. She also makes time for networking and mentorship, something she believes is key to long-term career growth.

That emphasis on teamwork and learning was something she first experienced at the Leavey School of Business. Ni chose Santa Clara University’s MBA program for its strong focus on supply chain management, practical coursework, and flexible part-time structure. At the time, Leavey was one of the few evening MBA programs in the Bay Area offering a dedicated supply chain curriculum.

“The connections I built at Santa Clara were instant,” Ni recalls. “We came from different industries, but we learned from each other, tackled real-world case studies, and worked together in ways that mirrored what happens in business.”

The real impact of her MBA became clear shortly after graduation. After three years of working full-time and pursuing her degree nearly full-time, she took a well-deserved break to travel in Tokyo. When she was ready to get back into the workforce, she quickly landed a role at Oracle—an opportunity she credits to the credibility and hands-on knowledge she gained at Leavey.

“The hiring manager really valued the Santa Clara supply chain program,” Ni says. “It gave me the right skills to step into the role and make an impact immediately.”

From Oracle to ServiceNow and now Google, Ni has continued expanding her expertise in supply chain strategy and operations at scale. While many assume that a tech company like Google is all about engineering, she points out that business operations, supply chain strategy, and execution are just as crucial to keeping things running smoothly.

As the industry evolves, sustainability has also become a bigger priority in supply chain management. Ni notes that even small shifts in procurement, inventory strategies, and supplier collaboration can create both cost savings and environmental benefits.

“In our industry, companies are paying more attention to sustainability,” she says. “Something as simple as rethinking how shipments are consolidated or reducing unnecessary inventory can make a real difference, both for efficiency and for the environment.”

Looking back on her journey—from her MBA at Leavey to her career in supply chain—Ni encourages others to take chances and embrace learning.

“Don’t underestimate yourself. The sky is the limit. Pursue your dreams, and if you don’t have the skills yet, there’s a community to support you.”