In this article, learn about:
Why SPS Commerce created the list
Who made the inaugural class
What the recognition means for retail, grocery, and distribution
What Is the Top Supply Chain Leaders List?
The Top Supply Chain Leaders list is a new recognition program from SPS Commerce that honors operational leaders across retail, grocery, distribution, and manufacturing. The inaugural class recognizes an initial 50 leaders and their teams from organizations across the U.S. and Canada, including Walgreens, US Foods, Petco, Fastenal, Ace Hardware, Gordon Food Service, and Canadian Tire.
Each honoree is recognized for the same core work: keeping goods moving, keeping trading partners aligned, and keeping their organizations a step ahead as supply chain gets more complex.
Why Did SPS Commerce Create a Supply Chain Leaders List?
Supply chain has become one of the most visible and strategically important functions inside a business. When a shipment is late or a shelf is empty, the supply chain team gets the call. When a company adopts AI to forecast demand or automate exceptions, the supply chain team runs the rollout.
Despite that, the people doing the work rarely get public recognition for it. SPS Commerce built the Top Supply Chain Leaders list to close that gap. The inaugural honorees were selected based on demonstrated leadership, industry impact, and a track record of advancing supply chain excellence.
The SPS Commerce intelligent supply chain network connects more than 300,000 trading relationships and moves 750M+ transactions a year, giving the company a wide view of what strong supply chain leadership looks like across categories.
Who Made the Inaugural Class of Top Supply Chain Leaders?
The first honorees span a wide range of industries and company sizes.
A few examples:
Andy Kettlewell, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain at Walgreens
Guy Babbitt, Senior Vice President, Shared Business Services at US Foods
Tim Buckenberger, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain at Petco
Nolan Schmidt, Vice President, Supply Chain at Fastenal
Stacey Furey, Director, Supplier Performance at Ace Hardware
Derek Torno, Director, MMSC Technology, Data & Support at Gordon Food Service
Jeff Szabo, Vice President, Supply Chain Planning at Canadian Tire Corporation
Michael Tavares, Senior Manager, Supply Chain Performance & Collaboration at CVS Health
Larry Kraus, Chief Information Officer at Ollie's Bargain Outlet
Lanisa Wang, Senior Director, Planning at Credo Beauty
The full list includes retailers, specialty grocers, hardware retailers, and beauty brands, a reminder that supply chain leadership looks similar no matter the category.
What Does This Supply Chain Recognition Mean for Retail?
For retail, grocery, and distribution leaders, the list is a signal that supply chain work is being judged on the same terms as any other strategic function: by the outcomes it drives and not only the costs it controls.
That framing matters because the honorees' day-to-day work rarely makes headlines. Inbound visibility, vendor performance programs, and compliance across retailer-specific requirements are the unglamorous mechanics behind on-time, in-full delivery. When those mechanics break down, the cost shows up as lost sales. Recognizing the leaders who get it right puts a name and a face on work that usually stays behind the scenes.
Know someone who belongs on the list? SPS Commerce is accepting nominations for future classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Top Supply Chain Leaders list?
The Top Supply Chain Leaders list is a recognition program from SPS Commerce honoring operational leaders in retail, grocery, distribution, and manufacturing for driving innovation, resilience, and operational excellence.
How were the inaugural honorees chosen?
SPS Commerce selected the inaugural class based on demonstrated leadership, industry impact, and commitment to advancing supply chain excellence.
Will this become an annual list?
Yes. SPS Commerce plans to continue recognizing Top Supply Chain Leaders annually in future years.
How do I nominate someone for a future class?
Visit the Top Supply Chain Leaders page on spscommerce.com and use the nomination link to submit a leader for consideration.
The People Behind What Moves
Every product on a shelf, package at a doorstep, replenishment order, shipment notice, and inventory decision is part of a much larger system.
New operating models will continue to emerge, and expectations will continue to rise. But behind every stronger, smarter supply chain will still be people making good decisions, solving hard problems, and bringing others along with them.
Explore The Top Leaders Shaping the Future of Supply Chain →