Editor’s note: A new year brings many new hires to the procurement and supply management world. CPO Rising (and Ardent Partners) would like to congratulate them all and wish them all the best in their new roles in 2015.
Cooper-Standard Hires Christine Krathwohl as VP of Global Supply Chain
On January 8, Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CSP) announced that it has appointed Christine Krathwohl as the Vice President of Global Supply Chain for its subsidiary, Cooper-Standard Automotive. In this role, Krathwohl will leverage her 21 years of automotive experience to lead the company’s purchasing, procurement, logistics, vendor management and supplier quality strategies. Prior to joining Cooper-Standard, Krathwohl worked for General Motors Corp. for 11 years, in both the U.S. and Germany, during which time she held many director and executive-director level positions within logistics, purchasing, and supply chain operations.
According to Jeffrey Edwards, chairman and CEO, Cooper Standard, “Christine’s extensive automotive supply chain experience make her a valuable addition to the Cooper Standard team. I’m confident that, together with her team, she will continue the transformation of our supply chain, as its successful operation plays a major role in the execution of our growth strategy.” Prior to joining GM, Krathwohl worked for Ford Motor Company and Visteon. She earned her Executive Master of Business Administration and her Bachelor of Arts in Materials and Logistics Management from Michigan State University.
Northrop Grumman Promotes Kevin Mitchell to VP of Global Supply Chain
On January 5, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced that it has selected Kevin Mitchell as its newest Vice President of Global Supply Chain for its Aerospace Systems Sector, replacing Lisa Kohl following her retirement. Mitchell began his position in November 2014, and his promotion is the latest move up the ladder at Northrop Grumman where for the past 12 years he has held director and VP-level positions within manufacturing and production operations. In his new role, Mitchell will oversee the development and maintenance of Northrop’s supply base, as well as subcontracts, procurement, pricing and estimating, and other supply management responsibilities.
Mitchell has over 25 years of experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, he held director-level positions at two other major aerospace and defense companies – CDG/Boeing and McDonnell-Douglas. Mitchell earned his Master of Business Administration and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He also received his Lean Six Sigma-Green Belt certification from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Schneider Electric Names D.K. Singh as Chief Procurement Officer
On December 19, France-based Schneider Electric announced that it has appointed D.K. Singh as the electricity distributor’s Chief Procurement Officer, effective January 1. In his new role, Singh will oversee 12 billion Euros of direct and indirect spend across a global community of suppliers. He will report to Annette Clayton, Chief Supply Chain Officer, who stated, “With D.K. on board, we are looking forward to the insights that he will bring to the Group as well as the contributions that he will make to strengthen our competitive position in the markets we serve.”
Singh brings 27 years of procurement and supply management experience serving in executive and VP-level positions with several well-known multi-national corporations. Prior to joining Schneider Electric, Singh was the Senior Vice President of Procurement at ConAgra Foods for eight years. Prior to that, he was a VP and executive at Motorola for three years, and a director and executive at IBM for eight years. Singh received his Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University, and his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the GP Pant University in India.
In other Procurement News…
- Raj Thakkar was named Vice President of Supply Chain and Sourcing for GE Energy and Management. Thakkar is a 20-year veteran of GE, most recently serving as Senior Executive, Sourcing and Supplier Quality for GE Energy and Management. Thakkar earned a Masters degree in General Management from Wake Forest University and another Masters degree in Electric Engineering from Cleveland State University.
- Jacob Nance becomes the first Vice President of Supply Chain Management at Standard Furniture, an Alabama-based case goods importer and manufacturer. Nance had been serving as a consultant and interim VP of logistics since March, but in his new role, he will be responsible for warehousing, transportation, shipping, private fleet operations, inventory management, and other supply management areas. Nance has nearly eight years of logistical management experience, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hanover College.
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