Supply Chain Stories – Episode 12: Sevgi Cinar
Supply Chain Stories is a series of recorded interviews with Chief Supply Chain Officers to provide advice, guidance and mentorship to the international supply chain community.
Sevgi Cinar, Head of Supply Chain, BSH North America
Sam Berke, Head of Global Supply Chain Search, sat down with Sevgi Cinar, a senior supply chain executive whose international career spans over two decades of leadership across Europe, the Middle East and the United States. She currently leads logistics and planning for BSH Home Appliances in North America.
Sevgi shares how her early career in Turkey evolved through leadership roles at DHL and Sanofi, where she led operations across 12 countries and drove major supply chain turnarounds. She reflects on the challenges of managing diverse markets, running logistics during a crisis, and how to influence without direct authority – a skill she believes every great leader must master.
At BSH, Sevgi now leads one of the most complex planning and logistics functions in the appliance industry. She talks through key shifts in regional distribution, the impact of digital transformation, and how her team navigates macro challenges such as labour shortages and market volatility.
Leadership Lessons for the Next Generation
Sevgi offers a wealth of insights for supply chain professionals at every level:
- Be bold and visible. Make your voice heard and be willing to speak up – even if it’s uncomfortable. Hire for character. Curiosity, adaptability and mindset often outweigh years of technical experience.
- Learn to lead without managing. Influence, collaboration and strategic thinking are essential to long-term success.
- Never fall in love with your strategy. The best supply chains are built on agility, not rigidity.
- Don’t wait to be noticed. Own your path and take initiative. The opportunities will follow.
This episode is packed with thoughtful, experience-based advice for supply chain professionals aiming to grow into senior leadership or C-suite roles. A valuable listen for anyone passionate about logistics, planning and transformation.