Special Top 28 Supply Chain Executives Europe 2024

Due to the current uncertain times, with many ongoing geopolitical conflicts and other looming, European companies need to transform their supply chain networks to become more resilient, agile and competitive. Supply chain executives struggle with ‘selling’ these transformations in the boardroom. This is evident from the research and series of interviews for the annual Top 28 Supply Chain Executives Europe by Supply Chain Media, IG&H Consulting and Inspired-Search.

Methodology for Top 28 Supply Chain Executives in Europe 2024

Supply Chain Media, IG&H Consulting and Inspired-Search shortlisted 60 individuals for this Top 28 from more than 100 vetted supply chain executives in Europe and methodically analysed them on four dimensions. These executives are based in Europe and responsible for global supply chains at European companies, or for Europe at non-European companies, with an annual turnover of at least €5 billion. The Top 28 is based on realized financial performance (30%), personal functional responsibility in the supply chain (30%), personal visibility (20%) and peer votes (20%).

For the financial performance of the supply chain executive’s company, several financial metrics were considered: revenue growth, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) per year (all from 2019 to 2023). Personal functional responsibility was assessed based on which functions (planning, procurement, production and/or logistics) and how many employees report directly and indirectly to the executives, plus their geographical responsibility (global, EMEA or Europe) and complexity of their supply chains. To determine personal visibility, the number of press releases, interviews, keynote presentations and university lectures over the past year were counted. In addition, relevant supply chain-related posts uploaded on LinkedIn, including the number of likes and followers, were considered.

For peer voting, the compilers of the list as well as executive recruiters and professors considered each individual’s supply chain knowledge, leadership skills, analytical ability, communication skills and strategic thinking level, based on their personal knowledge of the professional.