Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Krueger is a highly accomplished supply chain and operations executive who served as Vice President, Planning & Purchasing at Light & Wonder, where she led global planning and purchasing strategies for the company’s land-based casino business. With expertise spanning supply chain transformation, operational excellence, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), integrated business planning, demand and supply planning, forecasting, procurement, and change management, she is recognized for building resilient operating models and high-performing organizations. Jennifer partners across commercial, finance, product management, operations, and supplier teams to align business objectives with customer needs while strengthening operational performance and supporting sustainable growth. Jennifer began her career in the U.S. Army after receiving an ROTC scholarship and commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps. During her years of military service, she developed a strong foundation in logistics, operations, leadership, and organizational management. She transitioned into the corporate sector with Caterpillar, gaining experience in highly process-oriented and engineering-driven environments, before joining DSC Logistics, where she advanced into business development and operations excellence leadership. She later held senior S&OP leadership positions at Ulta Beauty, helping strengthen enterprise planning capabilities during a period of rapid growth. Throughout her career, Jennifer has focused on transforming complex supply chain organizations through disciplined execution, strategic planning, continuous improvement, and effective change management. Beyond her executive responsibilities, Jennifer is committed to advancing the supply chain profession and developing the next generation of industry leaders. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) as Chair of the Centers of Excellence and previously served as President of the CSCMP Chicago Roundtable. She is also involved with AWESOME, supporting executive women in supply chain, and serves as an executive sponsor for WISE, helping collegiate women explore careers in the field. Jennifer holds a BBA in Business and Finance from William & Mary and an MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, and caring for her two Labrador retrievers, reflecting her appreciation for an active lifestyle and time in nature.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, dedication, and a genuine passion for supply chain and operations. I remain committed to continuous learning and professional development, always seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge, embrace new perspectives, and adapt to an evolving industry. I believe in leading by example, maintaining a strong work ethic, and bringing purpose and accountability to everything I do. Most importantly, I strive to make a meaningful difference each day by creating value for my organization, developing others, and contributing to lasting, positive change.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to never give up, keep moving forward, and remain open to change. Challenges and transitions are opportunities to learn, grow, and become stronger as a leader. I believe that the more knowledge and experience you gain, the more you grow both personally and professionally, so I continually seek to learn, adapt, and embrace new opportunities.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the supply chain industry is to embrace who you are and have confidence in the unique perspective you bring to the table. Build your own bridges by developing meaningful relationships, seeking mentors, and creating opportunities to collaborate and grow. Most importantly, use your voice and share your ideas with confidence—your perspective matters. Stay curious, remain authentic, and never underestimate the impact you can make through your knowledge, leadership, and contributions.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in my field is continuing to partner with executive leadership teams to drive meaningful enterprise transformation. This includes designing more effective operating models, modernizing capabilities, leveraging emerging technologies, and building high-performing organizations that can adapt to a rapidly changing business environment. I believe the greatest impact comes from balancing strategic innovation with disciplined execution while developing people and creating sustainable business results.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are honesty, integrity, transparency, kindness, and respect. I believe in being authentic and advocating for myself while also creating an environment where others feel comfortable doing the same. I value curiosity and believe that asking questions is one of the most important ways to learn, grow, and gain new perspectives. Above all, I strive to treat others with respect, lead with integrity, and build relationships grounded in trust and openness.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.