Top 10: Supply Chain Leaders

Every year, Supply Chain Digital compiles its Top 100 Supply Chain Leaders list. The 2026 edition recognises the individuals driving real-world impact through end-to-end operational excellence, from transforming global logistics agility to advancing circular economy principles. 

Our leaders list highlights the experts and executives who are shaping how supply chains are strategised, governed and executed across industries including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, retail and logistics.

From CSCOs embedding predictive analytics into core business operations to innovators and practitioners pushing the boundaries of digital twin integration and risk mitigation, the Top 100 celebrates those defining the future of the global supply chain. Here, we present the Top 10. 

To read the Top 100 list in full, click here.

10. Luc Reynaert

Title: Chief Product Supply Officer
Company: P&G
Industry: Consumer Goods

Since starting his journey in 1988 as a controls engineer, Luc has dedicated his career to a mission to master every facet of the supply chain.

His trajectory is defined by a genuine hunger for continuous learning, which has seen him deliver breakthrough leadership across various global sectors, from Beauty to Fabric Care.

Having lived and worked across Europe and North America, Luc has developed an international perspective on logistics and operations. He is widely recognised as a visionary who specialises in disruptive innovation.

By building strategic alliances and fostering external partnerships, Luc consistently finds new ways to evolve the supply chain. His focus remains fixed on excellence, ensuring that superior products reach consumers worldwide through a seamlessly integrated and innovative global organisation.

9. Chris Nielsen

Title: EVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer
Company: Toyota
Industry: Automotive

Chris oversees a vast remit from logistics to the Toyota Production System. His career began in 1987 as a buyer, progressing through senior roles where he managed more than US$30bn in procurement.

A pioneer within the organisation, Chris was the first American to participate in Toyota’s management expatriation programme in Japan, reflecting his deep commitment to the company’s global culture.

Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated exceptional versatility, leading the US$1.2bn construction of the Texas assembly plant and spearheading the pivotal “One Toyota” merger.

With a background in industrial engineering from Kettering University and executive training from Wharton, Chris combines technical rigour with strategic vision.

He is widely recognised for his leadership across the manufacturing sector, serving on numerous influential boards and committees, while ensuring Toyota’s supply chain remains a benchmark of quality and innovation.

8. Carolina Dybeck Happe

Title: EVP & COO
Company: Microsoft
Industry: Technology

Championing a new chapter of operational excellence, Carolina was tasked by CEO Satya Nadella to accelerate the company’s AI transformation, she leads a diverse portfolio including digital IT, commerce and business operations.

Her arrival marked a significant move for the tech giant, drawing on her distinguished track record as a global business leader. Before joining Microsoft, Carolina earned widespread acclaim for her pivotal role as Chief Financial Officer at GE.

There, she was a central figure in the historic restructuring that successfully evolved the iconic conglomerate into three independent, investment-grade companies.

With a lifelong passion for technology and a reputation for delivering transformation at scale, Carolina seamlessly integrates financial discipline with operational agility. She is dedicated to ensuring that Microsoft’s innovations create lasting value, positioning the organisation to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

7. Gretchen McCarthy

Title: Chief Supply Chain & Logistics Officer
Company: Target
Industry: Retail

Gretchen oversees a complex global network encompassing fulfilment, distribution and global transportation.

Since joining the company in 2004, Gretchen has established herself as a versatile leader, navigating high-impact roles in merchandise planning, buying and supply chain transformation. Her most recent tenure as Senior Vice President of Global Inventory Management was particularly notable, as she managed the intricate flow and technology behind global operations.

Today, Gretchen is a central figure in Target’s leadership team, driving efficiency across replenishment and inventory management systems. Beyond her executive remit, she contributes her expertise to the board of Shipt and the advisory council at Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management.

With a background in Hotel Administration from Cornell, Gretchen combines operational rigour with a strategic vision for logistics, ensuring that Target’s supply chain remains resilient and responsive to the needs of modern consumers.

6. Sabih Khan

Title: COO
Company: Apple
Industry: Technology

Since joining the company in 1995, Sabih has played an essential role in bringing every one of Apple’s iconic products to market.

Sabih now leads the global operations team, managing a vast remit that includes procurement, manufacturing, logistics and product fulfilment. He is also responsible for AppleCare, ensuring customers receive world-class support for their devices.

Beyond logistics, Sabih champions Apple’s supplier responsibility and environmental programmes, partnering with suppliers to drive green manufacturing and protect worker rights globally.

With a background in mechanical engineering and economics, Sabih combines technical precision with a vision for sustainable, high-quality production. His long-standing dedication to operational excellence has made him a cornerstone of the company’s success.

He previously honed his expertise at GE Plastics before becoming a key architect of Apple’s modern supply chain, ensuring the seamless delivery of innovation to millions of customers worldwide.

5. Willem Uijen

Title: Chief Supply Chain and Operations Officer
Company: Unilever
Industry: Consumer Goods

Willem is a distinguished leader who has spent more than two decades shaping the global supply chain landscape at Unilever. He began his career in 1999 as a research and development trainee in the Netherlands, later transitioning through a diverse range of operational roles in Mexico, spanning manufacturing, distribution and planning.

With a Master of Science in Applied Physics, Willem brings a rigorous, analytical perspective to complex logistics. His career has seen him lead major functions across the Caribbean, Latin America and South Asia, where he served as Executive Director of Supply Chain for Hindustan Unilever.

Before his current leadership position, Willem was the Chief Procurement Officer for Unilever, overseeing global sourcing strategies. Throughout his international journey, Willem has remained focused on driving operational excellence across diverse markets.

By combining his R&D roots with deep manufacturing expertise, he ensures that supply chain operations remain a strategic engine for global growth.

4. Mourad Tamoud 

Title: Chief Supply Chain Officer
Company: Schneider Electric
Industry: Technology

Mourad serves as the Chief Supply Chain Officer at Schneider Electric, where he oversees an expansive global network of 160 factories and 75 distribution centres.

Leading a workforce of 80,000, Mourad manages a broad remit encompassing procurement, logistics and planning. His journey into the sector was driven by a natural affinity for problem-solving and a desire to impact business outcomes through operational efficiency.

Throughout his career, Mourad has transitioned from an operational focus to becoming a supply chain visionary, viewing the discipline as a vital strategic differentiator rather than a mere cost centre. He is dedicated to Schneider Electric’s mission of sustainability and digital transformation, ensuring the supply chain serves as a critical enabler for environmental stewardship.

Mourad’s leadership style is defined by collaboration and accessibility, fostering an environment where continuous improvement thrives. By aligning logistics with commercial goals, he ensures that innovation remains central to the organisation’s global operations

3. Soren Toft

Title: CEO
Company: MSC
Industry: Transport & Logistics

Soren took the helm as Chief Executive of MSC in late 2020, bringing a fresh energy to the world of global shipping.

With more than 25 years of experience, he understands the intricate mechanics of how the world’s cargo actually moves. Before joining MSC, Soren spent more than two decades at Maersk, rising from a management trainee in 1994 to Chief Operating Officer. This journey took him across Europe and Asia, giving him a genuinely global outlook on maritime logistics.

Today, he doesn't just manage ships; he oversees the entire ocean liner and logistics business, while also contributing to the board of Terminal Investment Ltd. A strategic leader with an MBA from IMD, Soren is recognised for his ability to navigate industry shifts with a steady hand. He remains deeply committed to building a more resilient and integrated supply chain that connects businesses across every continent.

2. Udit Madan

Title: SVP Worldwide Operations
Company: Amazon
Industry: Transport & Logistics

At just 38, Udit is a key member of the executive team, overseeing a colossal infrastructure that includes a fleet of planes, thousands of lorries and more than a million robots.

Having joined the company in 2008 as a software engineer, Udit has spent nearly two decades mastering the complexities of the supply chain. He was a lead architect of the ambitious regionalisation programme, which successfully overhauled the US delivery network to achieve record-breaking shipping speeds.

Today, Udit focuses on merging cutting-edge automation with human talent, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the workforce. His leadership is defined by a commitment to scaling local innovations – such as delivery partnerships with small shops – across global markets.

A passionate problem-solver, Udit remains dedicated to building a resilient, high-speed logistics network that evolves alongside consumer demands.

1. Rob Montgomery

Title: EVP, Supply Chain
Company: Walmart
Industry: Retail

An industrial engineer by training, Rob’s career has been built on a foundation of technical precision and operational strategy.

Before stepping into his current remit, he honed his expertise as Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Planning, overseeing everything from end-to-end capacity to inventory flow.

Rob is genuinely passionate about rethinking the way goods move, always looking for ways to simplify and standardise processes to benefit both customers and staff. His leadership style is rooted in empowerment, helping teams to strip away complexity while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

By bridging the gap between large-scale engineering and everyday service, Rob ensures that the world’s largest retailer remains agile, making the supply chain a true engine for growth and customer satisfaction.