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Arkaro InsightsAuthor: Mark Blackwell
Arkaro Insights is a podcast series produced by Arkaro, where we help B2B executives deliver better results with the latest ideas in change and innovation for your organisation. About ArkaroArkaro is a B2B consultancy specialising in Strategy, Innovation Process, Product Management, Commercial Excellence & Business Development, and Integrated Business Management. With industry expertise across Agriculture, Food, and Chemicals, Arkaro's team combines practical business experience with formal consultancy training to deliver impactful solutions.You may have the ability to lead these transformations with your team, but time constraints can often be a challenge. Arkaro takes a collaborative 'do it with you' approach, working closely with clients to leave behind sustainable, value-generating solutionsnot just a slide deck."We don't just coach - we get on the pitch with you"Connect With Us We'd love to hear from you! What topics would you like us to explore in future podcast episodes? Drop us a message or connect with us to learn more about Arkaro's approach. Visit us at www.arkaro.com Follow our updates: Arkaro on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkaro/ Email us at: mark@arkaro.com Language: en-gb Genres: Business, Management, Marketing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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From Dance Floor to Boardroom: Human-Centric Supply Chain Leadership | Karen-Marie Katholm
Episode 51
Wednesday, 11 February, 2026
Former Akzo Nobel supply chain chief Karen-Marie Katholm on leading 14,000 people through transformation—why soft skills beat technical expertise when navigating complexity.How do you transform 13 separate supply chains into one integrated operation across 130 manufacturing sites and 14,000 employees?Karen-Marie Katholm has done exactly that. As former Chief Integrated Supply Chain Officer at Akzo Nobel—and now Chief Supply Chain Officer at Orkla Foods—she's learned that technical expertise is merely the price of entry. The real differentiator is human-centric leadership.In this episode, Karen-Marie and Mark Blackwell explore:The Balcony and the Dance Floor Why leaders must understand operations without getting lost in them—and how the Heifetz leadership metaphor transformed her approachThree Dimensions of Excellence Processes, systems, and capabilities—why most organisations underinvest in the third, and why that's where transformations stallFrom S&OP to Integrated Business Management The five-step monthly rhythm that connects supply chain to strategy execution—lessons from DuPont that Karen-Marie has carried throughout her careerDifferentiated Supply Chains Why one size doesn't fit all—agile supply chains for demanding customers require different approaches from cost-focused commodity flowsSoft Skills Aren't Soft Gemba walks, listening, and clear narrative—why these matter more than technical prowess when leading global teamsDiversity Drives Innovation How fresh perspectives from engineering trainees surface the questions experienced leaders have stopped askingKaren-Marie's career spans iconic operations at Lego, the cooperative complexities of Arla Foods, global leadership at DuPont, and executive committee membership at Akzo Nobel. An engineer by training with an Executive MBA in Change Management, she proves that the most powerful tools for supply chain leadership aren't technical—they're empathy, authentic confidence, and the ability to drive transformation through people.This episode is essential listening for supply chain leaders, operations executives, and anyone navigating large-scale organisational change.Karen-Marie Katholm is the incoming Chief Supply Chain Officer and Management Team member at Orkla Foods (effective March 1, 2026), joining from AkzoNobel where she served as Chief Integrated Supply Chain Officer. Leading a global organization of 14,000 employees across 130 manufacturing sites, she spearheaded the consolidation of 13 fragmented supply chains into a single, synergistic end-to-end unit.With over 20 years of leadership at giants like DuPont, Arla Foods, and LEGO, Karen-Marie is a recognized expert in large-scale transformation and digital innovation. Named one of the "Top 10 Women in Supply Chain 2024," she is a champion for human-centric leadership, emphasizing that empathy and transparency are critical tools for industrial excellence.She serves on the boards of Corbion, Uhrenholt and Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker. Send your thoughts to Arkaro Connect with Arkaro:🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn:Arkaro Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkaroMark Blackwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrblackwell/Newsletter - Arkaro Insights: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/arkaro-insights-6924308904973631488/🌐 Visit our website: www.arkaro.com 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@arkaro Audio Podcast: https://arkaroinsights.buzzsprout.com 📧 For business enquiries: mark@arkaro.com
