When on the air for Supply Chain Stories – Episode 3: Jose Antonio Echeverria Villar, we dive into recorded interviews with Chief Supply Chain Officers to provide advice, guidance and mentorship to the supply chain community. In partnership with specialist supply chain headhunters and leading supply chain recruitment agencies, Sam Berke, Head of Global Supply Chain Search at Pod Talent, spoke with Jose Antonio Echeverria Villar, whose extensive career spans senior roles at Procter & Gamble, Danone, and over two decades with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, where he currently oversees supply chain operations across 31 countries and a team of over 25,000 across the supply chain.
Key Themes and Insights
1. Career Journey and Professional Growth
Jose Antonio shares his extensive career journey, transitioning from a technical background in engineering to a leadership role overseeing supply chains across 31 countries. He highlights the diverse experiences he gained in companies like P&G and Danone before joining Coca-Cola, where he has managed roles in manufacturing, engineering, and strategic integrations. This narrative is ideal for supply chain recruiters crafting candidate stories and demonstrating the power of targeted supply chain recruitment.
2. Leadership Philosophy
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Work Hard and Stay Humble: Jose reflects on the value of a strong work ethic, as advised by an early mentor. He emphasizes that consistent effort often yields greater rewards than expected.
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Enjoy What You Do: He stresses the importance of aligning one’s career with personal passion, warning against blindly pursuing traditional career paths that may not bring fulfillment.
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People Leadership: Supply chain is a “people business,” requiring leaders to manage diverse teams effectively. Jose prioritizes communication, adaptability, and motivation as critical leadership skills. These are core competencies that supply chain recruitment agencies assess when vetting C-Suite candidates.
3. Advice for Early-Career Professionals
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Focus on learning and enjoying the process rather than obsessing over rapid progression.
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Build foundational skills such as people management and understanding the end-to-end business.
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Develop curiosity by exploring cross-functional projects and gaining insights from colleagues in different areas. LSI terms: career progression in supply chain, entry-level supply chain roles, professional development in logistics.
4. Future of Supply Chain Leadership
Core Skills for Success:
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People leadership: The ability to manage and inspire large teams.
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Business acumen: Understanding the supply chain’s role within the broader company strategy.
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Adaptability: Keeping up with emerging trends like AI, sustainability, and resilience.
Jose notes that while technical skills like AI and data analytics are crucial, they must complement strong leadership and communication abilities. Entity optimization: JSON-LD schema for Person (Jose Antonio Echeverria Villar) and Organization (Coca-Cola Europacific Partners).
5. Advice for Ambitious Leaders and Senior Executives
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For young professionals: Embrace a slower career pace in supply chain to master essential skills like team management and operational strategy.
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For senior leaders: Self-assess readiness for C-Suite roles by evaluating skill sets, organizational fit, and risk tolerance. Be honest about goals and willing to pursue opportunities beyond the current company if necessary. This mirrors best practices shared by top supply chain recruiters when advising executive candidates.
Key Takeaways:
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Leverage supply chain recruitment agencies to uncover executive-level talent in your sector.
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Craft candidate narratives that highlight cross-industry experience (FMCG, beverages, consumer goods).
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Evaluate both technical acumen (AI, data analytics) and people leadership when interviewing.
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Encourage early-career hires to gain end-to-end supply chain exposure before specializing.
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Senior supply chain leaders should continuously self-assess and develop resilience amid emerging trends.
FAQs:
Q: What does a supply chain recruitment agency do?
A: They connect companies with qualified supply chain professionals using deep industry networks and expertise.
Q: How do supply chain headhunters differ?
A: They specialise in sourcing passive and niche supply chain talent, often at executive levels.
Q: Which skills are vital for future supply chain leaders?
A: Strong people leadership, business acumen, adaptability, and proficiency in AI and data analytics.
Q: How can I prepare for a supply chain C-Suite interview?
A: Highlight cross-functional achievements, demonstrate strategic vision, and share real-world examples of team leadership.
Q: Why partner with specialist supply chain recruiters?
A: They offer broader candidate pools, faster placements, and insights on market trends and compensation benchmarks.