Pojen Suhendra ’02 made a life-changing decision when he left Indonesia to pursue a business degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With limited information and a strong sense of intuition, he took a leap—an early example of the adaptability and foresight that would define his career in global operations and supply chain leadership.
Suhendra arrived at UW–Madison with a clear interest in operations and marketing—skills he intended to apply to his family’s candy and confectionery business. But his time on campus reshaped his ambitions, setting him on a course that would take him from classroom discussions to the forefront of technology and logistics innovation.
“I enjoyed UW very, very much,” Suhendra said. “I liked living in the U.S., but if you want to stay in the U.S., you have to get a job.”
Graduating during a challenging economic period in the early 2000s, Suhendra leaned on support from faculty, the Career Center, and the broader UW–Madison community. With their help, he landed two internships—one with JR Central in Japan and another with IBM in North Carolina—before securing a full-time role that launched his career.
Suhendra had always planned to pursue an MBA, but he knew professional experience would be essential. That long-view approach paid off when he was accepted to Harvard Business School, where he completed an internship with Apple. It was 2007, and the iPhone was just about to launch.
“I decided that if Apple offered me a position, I would take it,” Suhendra said. “They did, and I joined at an exciting time when the company was growing rapidly.”
Over the next 14 years, Suhendra advanced through supply chain and operations leadership roles at Apple, starting with iPod and iPhone business operations before taking on broader responsibilities across the global enterprise. His expertise in scaling complex supply systems and solving operational challenges made him a key contributor to Apple’s explosive growth.
He later joined Tesla as director of electronics supply chain for vehicles and energy products, where he supported innovation across high-impact platforms such as infotainment and autopilot. Suhendra’s leadership helped support Tesla’s expansion, from streamlining component sourcing to optimizing supplier networks.
For Suhendra, success in supply chain and operations roles comes down to two essential skills: problem-solving and collaboration.
“When companies hire you, they need you to solve problems,” he said. “And to do that, you need to work with teams. In complex organizations, there are always different ways of doing things, so you have to communicate effectively and build consensus.”
The COVID-19 pandemic made global supply chains dinner-table conversation, and Suhendra saw firsthand how companies began rethinking risk.
“Companies went from prioritizing efficiency and globalization to focusing on supply chain resilience,” he said. “We now run simulations asking, ‘What happens if trade with China is disrupted?’ The answer can be alarming—some companies wouldn’t survive six months. That’s why diversification is critical.”
Today, Suhendra serves as director of silicon and ODM supply chain at an early-stage AI data center company. Suhendra is energized by the opportunity to help shape the organization from the ground up.
“This is my first time at an early-stage company, and I get exposure to everything—funding, business strategy, product decisions, hiring,” he said. “People underestimate how fun it is to learn something new.”
Even with a demanding schedule, Suhendra has remained closely connected to UW–Madison. He’s returned for reunions, spoken in guest lectures, and mentored students exploring their own paths in business and technology.
“It’s just enjoyable,” he said of his close connections to Wisconsin. “UW shaped my career, and if I can share insights that help students, I’m happy to do it.”
Suhendra’s path reflects a rare blend of curiosity, technical acumen, and strategic thinking. With experience spanning multinational giants and agile startups, he continues to shape the evolving landscape of global supply chains—driven by a mindset that took root at UW–Madison and continues to guide his work today.
Story by Steve Barcus