Case Studies

Client:
Mid-market U.S. industrial manufacturer ($800M revenue)

The Challenge: Navigating Geopolitical Pressures and a Growing Skills Gap Amid Digital Transformation
In early 2025, our client faced escalating geopolitical and economic challenges, including new U.S. tariffs on critical imports and retaliatory trade restrictions. These external pressures, combined with ongoing global supply chain disruptions such as port congestion and volatile freight costs, exposed vulnerabilities in their supplier base and legacy procurement systems.

At the same time, the company was embarking on an ambitious digital transformation journey to modernize its supply chain. This included implementing digital twins to simulate and optimize operations, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance automation and data integration, and launching a Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) program to improve cross-functional alignment and forecasting accuracy. However, overcoming internal resistance to legacy systems and driving cost reduction through these innovations required visionary leadership.

Compounding these challenges was a widening leadership skills gap. As seasoned supply chain executives retire, manufacturers urgently need younger, agile leaders who can not only manage today’s volatility but also champion digital innovation and grow with the company. While candidates from aerospace and defense sectors often bring strong regulatory experience, their typically slower pace and cultural rigidity posed a mismatch for the client’s fast-moving transformation goals.

Our Solution: A Boutique, Future-Focused Executive Search
At BWC Executive Group, we understand that bridging this skills gap while supporting complex digital transformation demands a highly specialized, agile approach:

• Targeted Talent Mapping: We conducted a comprehensive national and international search, focusing on supply chain leaders with proven success driving digital transformation initiatives—such as digital twins, Industry 4.0 adoption, and SIOP implementation—while also demonstrating the agility to overcome legacy system resistance and deliver cost savings.
• Boutique Agility and Deep Market Insight: Our niche search firm’s hands-on, flexible approach allowed us to access both established and emerging leaders beyond traditional aerospace and defense pipelines, identifying candidates with the speed, innovation mindset, and cultural fit required to accelerate change.
• Rigorous, Real-World Assessment: Using scenario-based interviews and practical case studies, we evaluated candidates on their ability to lead supplier diversification, implement AI-enabled logistics, manage geopolitical risk, and spearhead digital supply chain transformation.
• Strategic and Cultural Alignment: Our detailed candidate mapping report highlighted not only technical expertise but also leadership agility and alignment with the client’s vision for growth and innovation.
• Enterprise Team Build-Out: After placing a forward-thinking CSCO with a strong track record in digital supply chain transformation and rapid decision-making, we continued to partner with the client to build a high-impact supply chain leadership team, ensuring sustained momentum and capability for future growth.

Outcome: Accelerated Transformation and Future-Proofed Leadership

• Within 6 months, the client reduced single-country supplier reliance by 40%, improved procurement cycle times by 28%, and significantly enhanced supply chain resilience.
• The new leadership team successfully advanced digital transformation efforts, including partially deploying digital twins and Industry 4.0 technologies, overcoming legacy system resistance, and working on establishing a robust SIOP program—resulting in measurable cost reductions and improved operational alignment.
• The CSCO and enterprise team are positioned to lead ongoing innovation, bridging the skills gap and ensuring leadership continuity as the company evolves.
• By leveraging our boutique approach, the client avoided the costly delays common in executive searches, securing visionary leaders who deliver both immediate impact and long-term growth.

Is your manufacturing company struggling to find supply chain leaders who can drive digital transformation and bridge the growing skills gap? BWC Executive Group offers a boutique, specialized search experience that delivers the right future-focused talent—faster and with deeper industry insight than generalist firms. Don’t let leadership gaps or legacy resistance stall your progress. Contact us today to build the executive team that will power your next phase of innovation and growth.