Supply Chain Stories
Supply Chain Stories is a series of recorded interviews with Chief Supply Chain Officers to provide advice, guidance and mentorship to the Supply Chain community
Karen-Marie Katholm, Chief Integrated Supply Chain Officer, AkzoNobel
Sam Berke, Head of Global Supply Chain Search at Pod Talent spoke with Karen-Marie Katholm, whose extensive career spans senior roles at AkzoNobel, DuPont and Arla Foods.
Key Themes and Insights
1. Transition from Procurement to Supply Chain Leadership
Karen-Marie reflects on her career shift from procurement to supply chain, emphasizing how procurement knowledge provides a strong foundation for a broader operational role. She highlights the importance of adaptability, relationship-building, and developing a strategic outlook to manage end-to-end supply chain challenges effectively.
2. Leadership Approach
Karen-Marie shares her perspective on leadership, underscoring the value of empathy, collaboration, and clear communication. She believes successful leaders foster an environment where people feel empowered to innovate and make decisions. Her leadership style is built on transparency and encouraging teams to embrace challenges.
3.Sustainability in Supply Chain
A strong advocate for sustainable operations, Karen-Marie discusses how AkzoNobel integrates sustainability into its supply chain strategy. She highlights initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting circularity, and embedding sustainability into procurement practices.
4.Career Development Tips
For early-career professionals, Karen-Marie stresses the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. She advises building a strong network, seeking mentorship, and being open to new opportunities to expand skills and perspective. She also encourages taking calculated risks to gain diverse experiences.
5.Women in Supply Chain
As a leader, Karen-Marie champions diversity and inclusion, particularly supporting women in supply chain roles. She highlights the progress made in the industry while also recognizing that there's more to be done to promote gender balance in leadership positions.
6.Future of Supply Chain
Karen-Marie shares her thoughts on the evolving nature of supply chains, driven by digital transformation and geopolitical changes. She emphasizes the need for agility, resilience, and investment in technology to navigate future disruptions and complexities.
Karen-Marie’s career is a great story in developing to the top of the Procurement space and pivoting into a broader role with Supply Chain and Manufacturing. Her insights give a great story and fantastic advice on how to progress throughout your career, with value for those at every level.