Greg Sheen

Chief Information Officer at CJ Logistics

Can you please provide a little introduction about yourself

Currently, I am the Chief Information Officer of CJ Logistics, which is a 90+-year-old global integrated and multimodal logistics services company with a North American HQ based in Chicago, IL, USA.

I lead the Information Technology group to ensure CJ Logistics has a world-class IT Strategy, Infrastructure, Cloud and Cyber Security Platforms as critical points of competitive differentiation to enable the business to achieve the company’s strategic vision and growth in the region.

What has your journey to your position been like? What path have you taken?

My journey has been roundabout and a little diverse. I started on the business side working in Japan in the Automotive industry, then transitioned to Consumer Packaged Goods, working across Finance, Procurement, and Supply Chain before transitioning into IT after being part of a number of company system implementations which led me to work for a few IT vendors before heading back to the corporate side.

Has it always been your vision to reach the position you’re at? Was your current role part of your vision to become a tech leader?

My current position was originally not part of my vision. My early years I wanted to be an industrial designer, however, overtime, I fell into other opportunities which ultimately led me into the IT realm.

Only recently I felt that my current role of CIO is something within reach and would be ideal for driving technology innovation and at the same time driving business change within the organization.

Have you had a role model or mentor that has helped you on your journey?

I have had a couple of role models over the years, however, the one that continues to drive me is one of my first. He was a single-company career man, straight-shooting, outspoken, a little grumpy, and un-liked by many people in the organization; some were even scared of him.

However, I created a good rapport with him as I found his unique sense of humor. Once he asked me to come to his office and he said to me with a straight face, ‘I think you should find another job’. I thought I was being fired, however, his suggestion was that I should always look at other opportunities both inside and outside the company to develop my own self-worth and at the same time potentially realize how good I already had it.

His parting remarks were, no matter how happy you are in your current role, you never ever know there may be the perfect career role for you out there.

How do you see the role of the technology leader evolving over the next 5 years?

I don’t see the role of technology leader really changing significantly over the next 5 years. Just the focus. Digital innovation will ultimately be the driving force of business improvements. Increasing demands for a more automated workplace is driving innovation with the combination of people and technology. Proactive leaders must investigate how to use ML/AI, smart software and robots to invigorate work and to drive a competitive advantage.

What skills do you think leaders of the future will need in order to thrive?

Actually, the key skills needed for leaders to really thrive in the future is still very much soft skills or human skills as I prefer to say. Untimely, even with all the technical/digital enhancements, it’s still people and workers that we need to interface with on a daily basis to get things done.

How do you keep current with new skills, technologies and personal development?

Curiosity and constant learning.

Making the time to develop new skills, investigating and learning about new technologies.

What do you see as the next leap in technology that will impact your business or industry in particular?

Labor is the largest cost in our industry and in the current climate the most difficult to get or retain. It’s already happening. Robotic Automation.

“Look after number one (yourself) especially from managing health and stress perspective, and close second, look after your staff.”

If you were mentoring a leader of the future, what advice or guidance would you give to help them on their way?

Look after number one (yourself) especially from managing health and stress perspective, and close second, look after your staff. At the end of the day it is still people/employees that will get things done, make projects successful and keep customers happy.

Is there anything in particular that you would still like to achieve in your career or what is the next step on your journey?

Next step would to become a Global CIO of an industry leading company extending across the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.

Other details you’d like to add:

That’s an extremely difficult question to answer and for many people the answer could be general or personal. For me a personal wish is for next-gen technology to enhance medical advances to eradicate childhood disease.

A big thank you to Greg Sheen from CJ Logistics for sharing his journey to date.