What's Happening?
Tapestry, the global house of brands that includes Coach and Kate Spade New York, is actively seeking a Director of Supply Chain Strategy. This role is pivotal in leading the enterprise supply chain strategy, long-range planning, and operating model design
across Tapestry’s diverse brand portfolio. The Director will be responsible for driving budgeting, analytics, continuous improvement, and executive storytelling within the supply chain organization. The position requires close partnership with the SVP of Supply Chain Strategy, Chief Supply Chain Officer, the Supply Chain Leadership Team, and critical cross-functional stakeholders to develop and execute multi-year strategies. Key responsibilities include leading the strategic planning process, prioritizing initiatives, and coordinating across functional leaders and brand teams to ensure alignment. The role emphasizes leveraging lean principles, advanced analytics, and digital workflow tools to identify inefficiencies and embed a culture of continuous improvement, aiming for sustainable efficiencies and enterprise-wide value creation. The Director will also stay updated on market trends, competitive intelligence, and consumer research to inform strategic decisions.
Why It's Important?
This strategic hire underscores Tapestry's commitment to optimizing its global supply chain operations, which is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and profitability in the dynamic retail landscape. By focusing on a unified supply chain strategy across brands like Coach and Kate Spade New York, Tapestry aims to achieve greater operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance its ability to respond to consumer demands. A robust supply chain strategy is vital for managing inventory, ensuring timely product delivery, and mitigating risks associated with global sourcing and distribution. The emphasis on advanced analytics and digital tools reflects a broader industry trend towards data-driven decision-making and technological integration in supply chain management. This move could lead to improved financial performance for Tapestry, benefiting shareholders and strengthening its market position. Furthermore, by fostering a culture of continuous improvement, Tapestry is positioning itself for long-term growth and adaptability in a rapidly evolving consumer market, ensuring its brands remain relevant and accessible to customers worldwide.
What's Next?
The immediate next step for Tapestry is to successfully recruit a highly qualified individual for the Director of Supply Chain Strategy position. Once filled, the new Director will be tasked with formalizing and socializing the Supply Chain Strategy Office Operating Model, defining functional accountabilities, governance structure, and strategic focus areas across the end-to-end supply chain. This will involve leading the enterprise supply chain strategic planning process, including the development of a three-year long-range plan and the prioritization of initiatives. The Director will also be responsible for implementing and executing key strategic initiatives, tracking their progress, and ensuring they align with both the supply chain strategy and financial commitments. Collaboration with Finance, IT, Legal, and Brand teams will be crucial to elevate end-to-end visibility and leverage cross-brand synergies. The role will also involve strategic storytelling for executive forums, articulating progress, risks, and long-term value creation, indicating a continuous effort to communicate and align supply chain objectives with broader corporate goals.
Beyond the Headlines
The creation of this strategic supply chain role at Tapestry highlights a deeper industry shift towards integrated and resilient supply chain management as a core competitive advantage. In an era marked by global disruptions, from pandemics to geopolitical tensions, companies are increasingly recognizing that a fragmented or inefficient supply chain can severely impact profitability and brand reputation. This move by Tapestry suggests a proactive approach to building a more agile and responsive supply chain that can withstand future shocks and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The focus on 'difference sparks brilliance' and 'diversity' within Tapestry's hiring philosophy also indicates an understanding that diverse perspectives are essential for innovative problem-solving in complex areas like supply chain optimization. This strategic investment in leadership and technology within the supply chain could set a precedent for other multi-brand corporations, emphasizing that operational excellence, driven by strategic foresight and inclusive talent, is paramount for sustained success in the global marketplace.
