The College of Business Administration (CBA) at Cal Poly Pomona proudly welcomed alumnus Domingo Carvajal (’13 business administration), Vice President of Global Accounts at Omni Logistics, for its latest Dean's Business Leader Speaker Series. Carvajal shared his journey of bold decisions, strategic thinking, and inspiring accomplishments, giving students a real-world glimpse into the complexities and opportunities in the supply chain industry.
With over 11 years of experience in international freight forwarding, Carvajal has made a significant mark on the industry. Rising to become the youngest Vice President at Omni Logistics, he has played a pivotal role in driving initiatives that optimize global logistics sales and operations. His career has taken him to over 12 countries and nearly 30 states across the U.S., showcasing his dedication and global perspective.
“When I was at this school as a student 11 and a half years ago, I knew I wanted to go into sales, but I never thought about the supply chain industry. One day we had a guest speaker, and it made me want to learn more about it.”
Carvajal used his visit to the CBA to speak about the complexities of global trade, the global supply chain, highlighting trends, challenges, and the future of the industry.
“There are two sides to the supply chain, the customer side, which is more your operations and logistics fulfillment, and then the sales side. That’s where you get that call at 2 am on a Friday night or New Year’s Day and you must make yourself available, and that’s where I thrive. Operations was fun, but sales is the highest paying job in the world — if you can sell. I love the interaction, I love meeting new people, the travel. I’ve been to over 12 countries and 30 states, I love hunting for new business to bring into the company.”
Carvajal emphasized the number of roles that exist within the supply chain industry and encouraged students to approach all industries with a similar lens. “I had some supply chain classes here, and I was into it but even more so after I saw a guest lecture here about it. I knew I could see myself in the roles that were being talked about, but I knew I wanted to go into sales. I was a marketing major, and I loved my internship, but financial security is a goal of mine for my family and the money in sales, it’s always the highest paying job if you’re good at it.”
Key Trends Shaping the Supply Chain Industry:
- Geopolitical Uncertainty: Manufacturing is shifting due to political instability.
- Environmental Impact: Companies are making climate pledges to reduce emissions and logistics-related pollutants.
- Technological Advancements: Blockchain and emerging technologies are revolutionizing logistics by enabling seamless communication across different systems.
Carvajal closed out the day with a word of motivational optimism for Cal Poly Pomona students. “Be bold — take the risk. I am the first person to ever graduate college from my family; my dad is one of nine children; my mom is one of 12. It took taking that risk for me to succeed, and I continued that in my career every day. Even if you’re looking at an industry you never heard about; be bold. Take the risk.”