Supply Chain / Procurement

The nominee should have a strong track record of expertise and achievement within the Supply Chain in a store brands focused role. This includes areas such as supply chain management, procurement, cost optimization, demand / supply planning, transportation, or warehousing.  Note:  Nominee should come from an area of the Supply Chain other than Manufacturing Operations, which is captured under a separate award (Operations).

Key Competencies could include:

Supplier Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, fostering open communication, negotiating favorable terms, and collaborating on strategic initiatives.

Strategic Sourcing: Demonstrating expertise in identifying and selecting suppliers that align with the store brands' quality standards, pricing objectives, and sustainability goals, while ensuring a reliable supply of materials and products.

Supply Chain Optimization: Implementing strategies to optimize the supply chain, including demand planning, inventory management, logistics, and distribution, to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall responsiveness.

Risk Management: Identifying potential risks and implementing risk mitigation strategies across the supply chain, such as contingency planning, dual sourcing, and developing business continuity plans.

Continuous Improvement: Embracing a culture of continuous improvement by leveraging data analytics, conducting regular performance evaluations, and implementing process enhancements to drive efficiency and innovation in supply chain and procurement operations.

Sustainable and Ethical Sourcing: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing practices by working with suppliers that adhere to social and environmental standards, promoting fair labor practices and responsible sourcing of materials.

Supply Chain Collaboration: Collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners, such as manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers, to foster strong relationships, streamline processes, and enhance end-to-end supply chain visibility.

Technology and Digital Integration: Leveraging technology solutions, such as supply chain management systems, data analytics tools, and e-procurement platforms, to enhance visibility, automate processes, and improve decision-making in supply chain and procurement operations.

Past Winners

  • Julie McGuire

    2024
    FedUp Foods

  • Brooke Cline

    2023
    Refresco Beverages

  • Simone Parry

    2022
    Walmart

  • Erin Shirkey

    2021
    Great Lakes Cheese

  • Katherine Chin

    2020
    Albertsons

  • Jill Truitt

    2019
    TreeHouse Foods

  • Heidi Knapp

    2018
    Whole Foods Market

  • Kim Fromme

    2017
    Sav-A-Lot

  • Kim Melsheimer

    2015
    Nice-Pak Products

  • Chelsea McCool

    2014
    Daymon