Page 22 - Inbound Logistics | April 2017 | Digital Issue

REA DER

PRO FILE as told to Karen M. Kroll

Valerie Young: 2020 Vision

AM RESPONSIBLE FOR 3M’s SUPPLY CHAIN BUSINESS
transformation effort. We’re redefining our planning
I model, manufacturing systems, and logistics and
distribution models. For instance, how do we more effectively
receive a customer order? How do we conduct demand,
supply, and production planning?

Previously, when 3M invested in a One area of focus is regionalizing
country, we went deep. We invested in supply chains with Centers of Expertise
sales, manufacturing, and research and (COEs) to reduce complexity and
development, and got a real sense of amplify operational impact. Our
market activity. We then created prod- newest, largest, and most capable
ucts to meet that market need. center is the EMEA (Europe, Middle
That strategy was effective for East, and Africa) COE in Switzerland.
decades. But today, we’re asking if we During its four years of operation, we’ve
Valerie Young is vice president can look across countries to reduce improved safety performance, quality,
of global supply chain services complexity and right-size supply chains. and efficiency with Lean Six Sigma
and operations with 3M. She has
held this position since 2016. We’re doing this to better serve our savings of up to 85 percent.
markets and customers, improve ser- We’re also looking hard at our
RESPONSIBILITIES : vice and cost efficiency, and free cash distribution and plant footprint. Are
Driving global supply chain strategy, flow conversion. we set up for the future? We’re still
regionalizing supply chains, leveraging
disruptive technology, and harmonizing
global processes for improved service,
inventory position, and productivity. The Big Questions
EXPERIENCE :
Director of manufacturing and supply When you’re not at work, system. His book made me ask how
chain, business services director, Lean what do you like to do? I can have the same impact.
Six Sigma director, vice president of Ski with my family. The grandeur
international supply chain, all with 3M. of the mountains grounds me. You If you had $1 million to start
EDUCATION : realize you’re pretty small in the a philanthropic effort, what
would you do?
B.A., Business Administration, St. whole scheme of things.
Catherine University, St. Paul, Minn., Food pantries support many in our
1984. If you could have dinner with community. However, some have
anyone in the world, who an overage of food that might go
would you choose? in the garbage, while others don’t
Bryan Stevenson, author of Just have enough food. I’d create a
Mercy, and director of the Equal stronger network for sharing food–
Justice initiative. Not only did he another way supply chain can
impact individual lives, he impacted improve lives.
a community and the justice

20 Inbound Logistics • April 2017