Her Story
About Kristen
I have built my career supporting end-to-end supply chain strategy across manufacturing, engineered-to-order, and multi-site distribution environments. I am a senior supply chain professional with a proven track record of reducing working capital, optimizing inventory and materials flow, strengthening supplier performance, and driving cross-functional alignment across Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Commercial teams.
Throughout my career, I have led and supported strategic initiatives spanning inventory optimization, demand and materials planning, strategic procurement, and supplier performance management. I have played a key role in S&OP processes, helping improve demand visibility, supply alignment, and executive-level decision-making. I am experienced in developing KPIs, strengthening reporting frameworks, improving ERP governance, and leading cost transformation efforts that drive measurable business impact.
A core strength of mine is building and leading high-performing teams while improving how supply chain functions are integrated and valued within the organization. I have consistently focused on bringing structure, visibility, and accountability to supply chain operations while ensuring strong cross-functional collaboration and execution.
My leadership approach is hands-on and people-first. I am known for working directly alongside my team in day-to-day operations, supporting execution on the floor, and stepping in wherever needed to ensure continuity and success in high-pressure environments.
Outside of work, I am married with two daughters, and family is the most important part of my life.
I am also a breast cancer survivor, and that experience has profoundly shaped my perspective. I am deeply committed to giving back and supporting other women through their breast cancer journeys through mentorship, encouragement, and advocacy.
At my core, I believe in hard work, resilience, and leading with purpose — both in building strong supply chains and in supporting the people behind them.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my parents. They instilled in me the value of hard work, perseverance, and going after what you want in life. They led by example in everything they did, and I’ve always looked up to them. They set the bar high, teaching me the importance of accountability, dedication, and showing up every day ready to give your best.
I also attribute so much of my drive and motivation to my daughters. They inspire me to continue pushing boundaries and succeeding in a field where women are still underrepresented. I want them to grow up knowing that women can do anything — lead teams, solve problems, break barriers, and build successful careers in any industry they choose
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Take power in what you can control and relinquish what you can't. You hold more power than you think, use it!
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to women entering the supply chain industry is to stay strong, have thick skin, and keep pushing boundaries. It’s a challenging field that can be fast-paced, demanding, and at times intimidating, especially in a male-dominated environment. There will be moments where you have to prove yourself, speak up, and advocate for your ideas — but don’t let that discourage you.
Think outside the box, stay confident in your abilities, and never be afraid to take on challenges that push you out of your comfort zone. Some of the best growth comes from stepping into difficult situations and finding solutions others may not see. Most importantly, trust yourself and your knowledge. Women bring valuable perspectives, leadership, and problem-solving skills to this industry, and there is absolutely a place for us at the table.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in supply chain right now is the continued increase in costs across the board, driven by the current economic climate. Everything from raw materials and transportation to labor, warehousing, and carrying inventory has become more expensive, and those pressures are impacting every level of the supply chain.
As a result, organizations are being forced to make more strategic and often difficult decisions around pricing, sourcing, inventory levels, and service expectations. There is constant pressure to do more with less while still maintaining reliability and responsiveness to the customer.
This environment has made supply chain leadership more critical than ever. It requires tighter planning, stronger cross-functional alignment, and a more disciplined approach to inventory and demand management. While the challenges are significant, they also highlight the importance of supply chain as a core driver of financial performance and business stability
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Whether in my personal life or professional career, people are the most important value to me. I naturally lead with a people-first mindset — I’m a mom, so caring about whether others are okay is just part of who I am. That carries directly into how I lead my team. I maintain an open-door policy and prioritize making sure my team feels supported, heard, and valued. People come first, always.
Hard work is another core value that guides everything I do. I believe in showing up, putting in the effort, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done well.
Tenacity is also essential in both life and supply chain. There are always challenges, but I’ve learned to stay focused, push through obstacles, and keep moving forward no matter how difficult things get.
And through it all, I believe kindness matters — how you treat people, especially under pressure, defines you as a leader and as a person.
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