Top 10: US Supply Chain Leaders

North America’s supply chains are undergoing rapid change as technology and operational strategy reshape the movement of goods, and the industry's elite leadership are right at the heart of the transformation.

Many of the pioneers in the list below have spent decades in their industries and offer a mix of technical expertise and global experience. They apply strategic vision to complex logistics, procurement and manufacturing networks.

With AI, automation and digital tools being deployed to increase speed and visibility, alongside the rise of sustainable practices, they continue to set the standard for others to follow.

Supply Chain Digital look at the 10 leading figures who are empowering to innovation, helping supply chains to become more resilient, agile and focused on customer outcomes.

10. Luc Reynaert

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

Since beginning his career in 1988 as a controls engineer, Luc has pursued a clear mission: to master every facet of the supply chain. This commitment to continuous learning has underpinned a leadership journey marked by transformative impact across multiple global sectors, from Beauty to Fabric Care.

With experience living and working across Europe and North America, Luc brings a distinctly international perspective to logistics and operations. He is recognised as a forward-thinking leader with a strong focus on disruptive innovation, consistently identifying new opportunities to evolve supply chain models.

Through the development of strategic alliances and external partnerships, Luc continues to drive progress, ensuring supply chains remain agile, integrated and future-ready. His focus on operational excellence enables the delivery of superior products to consumers worldwide through a seamless and innovative global organisation.

9 Carolina Dybeck Happe

Title: EVP & COO
Company: Microsoft
Industry:​​​​​​​ Technology

As EVP and Chief Operations Officer at Microsoft, Carolina leads enterprise-wide AI transformation, driving innovation across mission-critical business processes and digital ecosystems. She is responsible for embedding advanced technologies at scale, ensuring operations remain agile, data-driven and future-focused.

Previously, as CFO of General Electric, Carolina played a pivotal role in architecting one of the company’s most significant transformations, demonstrating a strong track record in delivering large-scale organisational change.

At Microsoft, she brings together operational excellence and cutting-edge technology to elevate customer value and business performance. Her leadership reflects a balance of technological vision and disciplined execution, reinforcing the company’s ability to operate and innovate at scale in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

8 Chris Nielsen EVP

Title: Chief Supply Chain Officer
Company: Toyota
Industry:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Automotive

Chris oversees an expansive remit spanning logistics through to the Toyota Production System. He began his career in 1987 as a buyer, progressing through senior leadership roles in which he managed more than US$30bn in procurement, building deep expertise across sourcing and operations.

A pioneer within Toyota, Chris became the first American to participate in the company’s management expatriation programme in Japan, underscoring his commitment to its global culture and operating philosophy. Over the course of his tenure, he has demonstrated notable versatility, including leading the US$1.2bn construction of the Texas assembly plant and spearheading the landmark “One Toyota” merger.

With a background in industrial engineering from Kettering University and executive education from Wharton School, Chris combines technical depth with strategic insight. He is widely recognised for his leadership within the manufacturing sector, contributing to influential boards and committees while ensuring Toyota’s supply chain continues to set benchmarks for quality and innovation.

7 Gretchen McCarthy

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

Gretchen oversees a complex global network spanning fulfilment, distribution and transportation, playing a critical role in ensuring operational efficiency at scale within Target. Since joining the company in 2004, she has built a reputation as a versatile leader, progressing through high-impact roles across merchandise planning, buying and supply chain transformation.

Her tenure as Senior Vice President of Global Inventory Management was particularly significant, where she managed the intricate flow of goods and the supporting technologies underpinning global operations. Today, Gretchen remains a central figure within Target’s leadership team, driving performance across replenishment and inventory management systems to meet evolving consumer demand.

Beyond her executive responsibilities, she serves on the board of Shipt and contributes to the advisory council at Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management. With a background in Hotel Administration from Cornell University, Gretchen combines operational discipline with strategic foresight, ensuring Target’s supply chain remains resilient, responsive and future-ready.

6 Kate Gutmann

Title: EVP & Pres. International & Supply Chain
Company: UPS
Industry:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Logistics

Kate drives global commerce as EVP and President of International, Healthcare, and Supply Chain Solutions at UPS, overseeing operations across more than 220 countries and territories. With over 30 years at the organisation, she has played a key role in integrating global logistics capabilities with high-growth healthcare sectors, while advancing initiatives in sustainable trade and digital transformation.

Throughout her tenure, Kate has consistently delivered operational excellence, balancing performance with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and mentorship. Her leadership reflects a clear focus on building future-ready supply chain networks while nurturing the next generation of talent.

By combining strategic innovation with people-focused leadership, she continues to strengthen UPS’s position at the forefront of global logistics, navigating complexity at scale across one of the world’s most extensive supply chain ecosystems.

5 Debora Shoquist

Title: EVP Operations
Company: NVIDIA
Industry:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Technology

Debora powers the engine behind AI innovation as EVP of Operations at NVIDIA, where she has been a driving force for nearly two decades. She leads the end-to-end supply chain for some of the world’s most advanced AI chips, overseeing a complex ecosystem spanning foundry operations through to global logistics.

With academic foundations in both electrical engineering and biology, Debora brings a uniquely multidisciplinary perspective to operational leadership. Her ability to scale NVIDIA’s manufacturing network has been instrumental in meeting unprecedented global demand for next-generation computing technologies.

By combining technical expertise with operational excellence, she continues to enable innovation at scale, demonstrating how diverse knowledge and disciplined execution can power transformative advancements across the global technology landscape.

Sustainability, procurement and supply chain leaders won’t want to miss Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, taking place at Navy Pier, Chicago, on April 21–22.
Co-located with Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit, the event unites senior decision-makers at a time when supply chains, sustainability and business performance are more interdependent than ever.
Secure your place now for The US Summit – group booking discounts available.

4 Sabih Khan

Title: Chief Operating Officer
Company: Apple
Industry:​​​​​​​ Technology

Since joining Apple in 1995, Sabih has played a pivotal role in bringing each of the company’s iconic products to market. Today, he leads Apple’s global operations function, overseeing a vast remit that spans procurement, manufacturing, logistics and product fulfilment, in addition to managing AppleCare to ensure a seamless customer experience.

Beyond core operations, Sabih is a driving force behind Apple’s supplier responsibility and environmental programmes, working closely with partners to advance green manufacturing practices and uphold worker rights across the global supply base.

With a background in mechanical engineering and economics, he combines technical precision with a clear vision for sustainable, high-quality production. Prior to Apple, he developed his expertise at GE Plastics. His long-standing commitment to operational excellence has made him a cornerstone of Apple’s success, helping to architect a modern supply chain that enables the seamless delivery of innovation to millions of customers worldwide.

3 Udit Madan

Title: SVP Worldwide Operations
Company: Amazon
Industry:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Technology

At just 38, Udit is a key member of the executive team at Amazon, overseeing a vast operational infrastructure that includes a fleet of aircraft, thousands of lorries and more than a million robots. Since joining the company in 2008 as a software engineer, he has spent nearly two decades developing deep expertise across the complexities of the supply chain.

He played a leading role in architecting Amazon’s ambitious regionalisation programme, transforming the US delivery network to deliver record-breaking shipping speeds and enhanced customer responsiveness. Today, Udit focuses on integrating advanced automation with human capability, ensuring technology is deployed to augment rather than replace the workforce.

His leadership is defined by a commitment to scaling local innovations, such as delivery partnerships with small shops, across global markets. With a strong focus on problem-solving and continuous improvement, he continues to build a resilient, high-velocity logistics network designed to evolve alongside changing consumer expectations.

2 Kathy Wengel

Title: EVP Chief Tech Operations & Risk Officer
Company: Johnson & Johnson
Industry:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Healthcare

Transforming one of the world’s most complex healthcare supply chains over a 35-year career, Kathy serves as EVP and Chief Technical Operations & Risk Officer at Johnson & Johnson. An inductee into the Supply Chain Hall of Fame and recipient of the CSCMP Lifetime Distinguished Service Award, she has played a central role in advancing the company’s operational capabilities.

Through a sustained focus on innovation, Kathy has helped evolve Johnson & Johnson into a digital-first, world-class operation, embedding technology and resilience across its global supply chain network.

Alongside her technical leadership, she is a committed advocate for diversity and inclusion, serving as executive sponsor for the company’s Women’s Leadership and WiSTEM2D initiatives. Her approach underscores that building high-performing, future-ready operations goes hand in hand with fostering inclusive, empowered teams.

1 Rob Montgomery

Executive: Vice President, Supply Chain
Company: Walmart
Industry:​​​​​​​ Retail

An industrial engineer by training, Rob has built his career on a foundation of technical precision and operational strategy. Before assuming his current role, he served as Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Planning, overseeing everything from end-to-end capacity management to inventory flow.

Rob is deeply committed to reimagining the movement of goods, constantly seeking ways to simplify and standardise processes to benefit both customers and teams. His leadership emphasises empowerment, enabling staff to remove complexity while upholding the highest standards of safety and quality.

By bridging large-scale engineering with day-to-day operational execution, Rob ensures that Walmart remains agile, positioning its supply chain as a core driver of growth, efficiency and customer satisfaction.