Month: July 2020

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the supply chain diversity space both nationally, regionally, and locally as well as get the latest NYNJMSDC news.

2020 Quarter 2 Newsletter


2020 Business Opportunity Exchange – REGISTER NOW


Corporate Spotlight: Unilever

Unilever, the largest producer of soap in the world, which is especially essential during today’s COVID-19 pandemic, is a valued Corporate Member of NYNJ-NMSDC (The Council). This British-Dutch transnational consumer goods company, co-headquartered in London, England, and Rotterdam, Netherlands, also has a significant presence in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Through Unilever’s partnership with The Council, the company has identified diverse suppliers that are a strong fit for the Unilever North America business and ensured that these supplier partners have access to vital tools and resources to grow and develop their capabilities. Additionally, The Council/Unilever partnership allows Unilever to support diverse suppliers as they go through the certification journey.

Unilever aims to continue supporting MBEs in multiple ways by sharing relevant insights on pertinent topics. In October 2019, Unilever participated in the “Sustainability Symposium,” hosted by The Council, where leaders informed MBEs about their human rights efforts to drive sustainability and responsibility within the supply chain. 

Other Unilever products include food, energy drinks, ice cream and beverages, cleaning agents, beauty products, and personal care products. 


Corporate Spotlight: Merck

Economic Inclusion & Supplier Diversity (EI&SD) is the epicenter of Merck’s diverse and inclusive procurement practices. Merck has worked for 35 years to build a world-class EI&SD program. As a premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company, it’s continually creating economic opportunities for underrepresented communities by procuring products and services from minority-, women-, veteran-, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT)-, and disability-owned enterprises. EI&SD is a driver of growth, innovation, and the program’s success boosts Merck’s competitive advantage. 

Investment in diverse suppliers yield economic impact, job creation, and advanced products. EI&SD generates a circle of inclusion between profit, product, and pipeline, which is critical to the company’s role of “Inventing for Life.” Spending with diverse businesses in 2019 was $2.9 billion globally.

The Council is proud to partner with Merck EI&SD to facilitate viable, mutually beneficial relationships between the biopharma giant and robust certified MBEs. The Council and Merck have a relationship built on trust. The Council looks forward to ongoing collaboration and engagement with this valued Corporate Member.


MBE Spotlight: Mincing Spice

The right spices can mean the difference between a bland meal and a zesty one that you’ll savor forever. The right spices can enrich common ingredients or ruin them. Mincing Spice is all about engaging flavors and tastes. Mincing Spice, an MBE headquartered in Dayton, New Jersey, is a leading processor of spices, seeds, and aromatic herbs. The company supplies the finest quality spices and herbs and focuses on excellence, sustainability, and integrity. As a full-service spice company, it is dedicated to nurturing relationships with a winning network of customers and suppliers. Mincing Spice is expanding and concentrating its business activities with industrial users of spices. 


Council Feedback Survey

Are you looking for more innovative services from us? Does your company provide a unique service for the diverse supplier community about which The Council and our network should know? Please take a minute to complete this quick survey? Your feedback matters and will be used to improve experiences for everyone.


Mission Accomplished

Recognizing Corporate and Supplier Excellence!

Have you been awarded a contract as a result of our network? Please take five (5) minutes to help us demonstrate our value through the Mission Accomplished Program. Your story may be featured in a future Council newsletter. 


Find Procurement Opportunities

New Jersey Economic Development Administration

https://www.njeda.com/bidding/

Bergen County Government Bid and Contract Opportunities

https://www.govcb.com/statebrowse/state.bid-New%20Jersey-Bergen%20County.htm

State of New Jersey Business Opportunities

https://www-tyomb.state.nj.us/TYM_BUISOPP/bo/search

New York City Department of Health

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/business/opportunities/contracting-opportunities.page

New York State Insurance Fund

https://ww3.nysif.com/Home/FooterPages/Column1/AboutNYSIF/Procurement

Dormitory Authority of the State of New York

https://www.dasny.org/opportunities/rfps-bids


On The Horizon


Thank You To Our 2020 Annual Sponsors

WeAreAllInThisTogether

Corporate Spotlight: Unilever

Unilever, the largest producer of soap in the world, which is especially essential during today’s COVID-19 pandemic, is a valued Corporate Member of NYNJ-NMSDC (The Council). This British-Dutch transnational consumer goods company, co-headquartered in London, England, and Rotterdam, Netherlands, also has a significant presence in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Through Unilever’s partnership with The Council, the company has identified diverse suppliers that are a strong fit for the Unilever North America business and ensured that these supplier partners have access to vital tools and resources to grow and develop their capabilities. Additionally, The Council/Unilever partnership allows Unilever to support diverse suppliers as they go through the certification journey.

Unilever aims to continue supporting MBEs in multiple ways by sharing relevant insights on pertinent topics. In October 2019, Unilever participated in the “Sustainability Symposium,” hosted by The Council, where leaders informed MBEs about their human rights efforts to drive sustainability and responsibility within the supply chain. 

Other Unilever products include food, energy drinks, ice cream and beverages, cleaning agents, beauty products, and personal care products. 

MBE Spotlight: Johnson Security

Jessica Johnson is the President and CEO of Johnson Security Bureau, Inc., her family’s third-generation security firm. Within two short years of taking over the business, she led the firm to double its revenues and number of employees for three consecutive years, largely as a result of working as a subcontractor on projects for NYS agencies. The company has been recognized as one of Crain New York’s 2018 Family Businesses of the Year; Black Enterprise’s 2013 Family Business of the Year; and among the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in multiple years.

Ms. Johnson is a small business advocate, promoting issues that are critical to minority and women entrepreneurs. She serves on the MBE Input Committee for the New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council. Ms. Johnson recently launched a podcast with her business and life partner Waleed titled “Commerce and Chill.”

MBE Spotlight: Francisco Cortes, Setroc 

Francisco Cortes is the Chairman & CEO & of the global communications firm The Setroc Group, Inc. He is a proud U.S Army veteran, having served at the elite National Training Center in Ft. Irwin, California. Francisco currently serves as the President of the NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce and was recently appointed by Governor Murphy to the Restart and Recovery Council to assist with New Jersey’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Setroc Group, Inc. is an award-winning, federally-certified, service-disabled-veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), and nationally-certified minority-business enterprise firm that offers more than 20 years of digital and broadcast experience. Clients include companies such as the Associated Press, ABC News, CNN Español, and News Corporation.

Since its launch in 2017, #TeamSetroc has seen rapid success, becoming the first SDVOSB to be awarded a multi-year marketing, advertising contract in the State of NJ. They were also awarded a federal contract with the U.S. Veterans Affairs, and serve as the agency of record for RWJ Barnabas Health’s social impact campaign in Puerto Rico.

Corporate Spotlight: Citi

Javette Hines is the Head of Supply Chain Development, Inclusion, and Sustainability at Citi. Javette is also a member of Citi’s Enterprise Infrastructure Operations & Technology Diversity Operating Committee. As a NMSDC Board Member, Javette serves as the link between Citi’s ongoing diversity efforts and the Council’s nationwide network of certified MBEs. Javette talks about her role on the board in this video.

Citi is committed to establishing close working relationships with diverse suppliers in the 160+ countries and jurisdictions it reaches. Citi found that supplier diversity leads to increased efficiency and innovation, as well as a positive impact on the communities it serves. Citi maintains a close connection with the NMSDC through Javette’s leadership. Citi also directly supports the NY/NJ MSDC and sponsored the 2019 Sustainability Symposium in New York.

Javette leads Citi’s efforts to consider and include diverse firms within Citi’s global supplier selection process. She works across the firm to meet supply chain sustainability initiatives, with specific focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her recent endeavors include leading supply chain recruiting at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and increasing supply chain opportunities for women-owned businesses in developing countries.

Amidst difficult times comes the opportunity for transformation. Javette’s message to the Council’s network of certified suppliers and colleagues is to stay focused, encouraged, and engaged. Today’s challenges may also open doors to transformative opportunities. Javette reminds us that the Council’s network serves as a powerful force to support change, support each other, and achieve our goals.