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.
Federico Marchesi, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Europe - Haier
Sam Berke, Head of Global Supply Chain Search at Pod Talent, sat down with Federico Marchesi, whose career has spanned senior roles at Whirlpool, Brembo, and currently as CSCO for Haier Europe.
Key Advice from Federico Marchesi
- Start Broad, Stay Curious Federico’s advice to early-career professionals is to build a wide foundation by gaining experience in multiple areas of the supply chain. From manufacturing to procurement to operations, getting exposure to different parts of the value chain helps professionals build perspective, technical depth, and long-term flexibility in their careers.
- Develop a Problem-Solving Mindset - Coming from an R&D background, Federico highlighted the importance of modular thinking and problem-solving. These skills translate well into supply chain, where testing hypotheses and evaluating trade-offs are essential to making data-informed decisions.
- Resilience Is Key in Supply Chain - Federico emphasizes that stress and disruption are constants in the world of supply chain. Professionals should learn to manage their emotional responses, focus on what they can control, and avoid taking volatility personally. Building resilience is a skill—and one that becomes critical to long-term success.
- Understand and Embrace Technology - For the next generation of supply chain leaders, Federico suggests becoming familiar with AI and machine learning—not only within supply chain applications, but also in other industries. Forecasting algorithms and intelligent agents are already changing how supply chains operate, and this shift will only accelerate over the next decade.
- Balance the Metrics, Lead Through Others - For those approaching CSCO-level roles, Federico advises focusing on people and succession planning. Supply chain leaders must balance financials, service levels, and customer expectations—while simultaneously building strong teams and empowering others. The most successful leaders, he says, are those who help their teams grow and foster an environment where people want to work with them.
Federico Marchesi’s reflections blend technical insight with leadership experience. His emphasis on curiosity, emotional resilience, and team development offers practical guidance to supply chain professionals at every stage of their careers.