Naval Supply System Command's (NAVSUP) first ever Senior Civilian Leadership Symposium focused on empowering the command's civilian workforce to reform supply chain services and drive mission success.

"Our civilians are NAVSUP's consistent and dependable core of our global workforce," said NAVSUP Commander Rear Adm. Jonathan A. Yuen. "As we refine our processes to better apply resources to focus on Navy readiness and lethality, our senior civilian leaders are central to achieving mission success."

Held at the National Conference Center, Leesburg, Virginia., the two-day event included more than 130 senior civilians from across NAVSUP's world-wide Enterprise. Gaining understanding and alignment for reform and supply chain transformation was the focus of the event, which was convened Jan. 31.

NAVSUP Vice Commander Michael T. Madden, the command's most senior civilian, set the strategic stage by providing the participants an understanding the current thinking inside the Navy and Defense Department's leadership. "Understanding what our senior leaders require, and completely aligning is key as we move forward and reform," said Madden.

The senior civilian leaders gained insights into NAVSUP's role with perspectives provided by the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OpNav); U.S. Fleet Forces Command; the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition; NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support; and NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Centers. Presentations on the supply business and initiatives provided additional insights.

Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics Vice Adm. Dixon R. Smith told the participants, "what you do is hard. One of your responsibilities as leaders of NAVSUP is to put yourselves in the shoes of your customers so they have the information they need to help them help you."

A major focus was NAVSUP's reform and supply chain transformation. "Reform is the foundation for our competitive edge. It's about change, not just efficiencies," said Rear Adm. Yuen. "We have been tasked to refine our processes to better apply resources to improve the quality and productivity of the support we provide. Barnacles underneath the ship represent our bureaucracy. From the surface we cannot see what is slowing us down. Sometimes we need to scrape them off."

Despite NAVSUP capabilities, the Navy's unique operating environment demands continued change, and NAVSUP is reforming to adapt. The participants learned how NAVSUP is optimally positioned to support its customers through these demands. Employing and engaging world-class experts with diverse backgrounds, the command is undergoing supply chain transformation, and developing tailored solutions to better serve our programs engaged in life cycle support and the fleet.

The reform initiative centers around NAVSUP reasserting itself as the Title 10 leader for supply chain management for the Navy. NAVSUP is the single point of accountability for the integrated Navy supply chain with full audit compliance. As a Navy command, NAVSUP understands the customers' world as its own, providing close collaboration and customer-focused metrics. Integration from supplier to customer to program manager, and collaboration on tradeoffs will provide the gold standard in contracting excellence. Data analytics and new digital technology implemented throughout programs and processes, including forecasting, will provide enhanced agility and customer service. Lastly the reform has a bias for action and develops and trains NAVSUP's people to be the next generation of leaders in sustainment.

NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter.

With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance.

In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.

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For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.