From Consulting to a Passion for Supply Chain

At 39, a mother of two, Franco-Spanish, and originally from Lille, Louise Verstraete Claudin likes to point out that her first professional experience in consulting served as her “second school.” A graduate of IÉSEG, she began her career in Luxembourg at a consulting firm known for its focus on results and operational performance.

It was in 2013, while working on a production line, that she truly discovered the world of supply chain management.

This discovery would have a lasting impact on her career. In 2016, she joined Leroy Merlin, where she held several strategic roles for nearly ten years. In particular, she helped implement S&OP, contributed to the development of the national logistics network, and oversaw the opening of several warehouses. Later, she took charge of store logistics, overseeing nearly 6,000 employees, while also leading large-scale transformation and data projects.

In April, she joined Weldom as Supply Chain Director.

Weldom: The Power of Local Connections and a Supply Chain at the Heart of Business

With revenue of 1.8 billion euros, nearly 360 stores across the country, and more than 5,000 employees, Weldom holds a unique position in the French home improvement market. The chain, which consists primarily of franchisees, combines the strength of the Adeo Group with a strong local presence.

For Louise, this proximity to stores and residents’ needs is one of the model’s greatest strengths. “We have the best of both worlds: the strength of a large corporation and the agility of a local network.”

This structure allows us to tailor the level of service to customers’ actual needs. A broken water heater requires an immediate response, while a kitchen renovation project requires more coordination to ensure a complete delivery. The entire supply chain is thus designed around the specific needs of consumers.

That is precisely what makes it so exciting: it lies at the intersection of business, production, technology, and people. It relies on a constant balance between foresight and responsiveness, between planning and execution. A piece of equipment failure, a shipping delay, or a supplier shortage can throw an entire organization into disarray.

In Louise’s view, teams must demonstrate pragmatism, rigor, and a consistent ability to reprioritize actions in order to minimize the impact on the end customer.

Leadership Based on Listening and Action

Beyond projects and technology, it is above all her vision of management that stands out. Louise advocates for a hands-on leadership style based on genuine listening. “I work very closely with the teams.” Understanding others’ constraints, seeking solutions collectively, and keeping the client as her guiding compass are the principles that guide her actions. She often sums up her approach with a simple phrase: “How can I help you?”

Given that supply chain functions are playing an increasingly important role within executive committees, she also emphasizes the importance of education. To help other departments understand logistics challenges, she focuses on concrete examples and real-world situations.

Dare to Go Further

One of the most memorable points of her talk concerned career development. For her, several moments played a decisive role: encounters, honest feedback, and sometimes a simple question : “What do you want to do when you grow up?” That question served as a catalyst and led her to gradually shape her career path.

His advice is clear:

She sums up this philosophy with the conceptof “going the extra mile”: taking that extra step when you identify an opportunity for improvement . “Barriers are only where we put them. The results will speak for themselves.”

A powerful message for women and the future

When asked about the role of women in an environment that remains largely male-dominated, Louise offers a message that is both simple and powerful : “Elegance has no gender.” For her, legitimacy comes from the responsibility entrusted to her. Credibility, on the other hand, is built day by day.  “You have legitimacy because you were chosen. Credibility, however, belongs to you. It is nurtured by giving your best every day.”

Throughout this discussion, Louise Verstraete Claudin demonstrated that the supply chain is much more than just a logistics function. It has become a strategic lever, a driver of transformation, and a tremendous learning opportunity. To meet today’s challenges, the supply chain must continually adapt to changes in its environment. As she points out, “Digital skills are now essential for young people who want to enter our industry.”

In a world where customer expectations are constantly evolving and technology is disrupting traditional models, careers in supply chain offer unique opportunities for those who enjoy solving problems, working as part of a team, and making a tangible impact on business performance . Louise’s mantra perfectly sums up this mindset: “Better than yesterday, not as good as tomorrow.” ” A philosophy of continuous improvement that perfectly illustrates the ambition of the modern supply chain.

TO watch the replay

How can we make the supply chain more visible and accessible to young people? This question sparked an ambitious project led by France Supply Chain’s Youth LAB: to create a comic book that explains, in simple and concrete terms, a world that remains largely unknown.

The story began four years ago with a simple idea: to provide professionals with a clear and engaging resource to help them introduce their careers to their children, to young people exploring their career options, and to teachers. 

An initial series of twelve illustrated panels was then produced. The response was immediately enthusiastic. Shared on LinkedIn, they garnered a great deal of positive feedback and were quickly adopted by several teachers in their classes.

In response to this enthusiasm, LAB Jeunes decided to take it a step further: to create a full-fledged comic book dedicated to exploring the supply chain. It’s a major challenge. How can we explain a complex industry while keeping it accessible? How can we discuss jobs, skills, and career paths without sounding like a corporate brochure?

One thing quickly becomes clear: the young people will write this story themselves in order to create a narrative intended for the general public that truly reflects their expectations.

The project's design phase will last two years and has a budget of 20,000 euros. 

To bring this vision to life, LAB Jeunes has enlisted the help of Tess Kinski, an illustrator who specializes in outreach projects. To fully understand the realities of the sector, she participates in warehouse tours and engages in discussions with industry experts as well as with teachers who are members of the association.

At the same time, nearly 150 responses to questionnaires have helped refine the project. From the format and editorial tone to young readers’ expectations, career aspirations, and even the choice of title — every aspect is shaped by their feedback.

Funding is provided by France Supply Chain with the support of four committed partners: Acolyt, FM Logistic, Louis Vuitton, and Log’Issimo (La Poste Group). 

Upon completion, the comic book takes the form of a 45-page volume organized around four major themes that are emblematic of the supply chain’s operational cycle:

The story spans several professional fields, from the agri-food industry to technology, including the textile and logistics sectors.

To help readers relate to the story, the three main characters represent different types of people: 

• Leïla, spontaneous and daring; 
• Solène, energetic and resilient; 
• Benjamin, calm and thoughtful. 

Through their stories, the comic book illustrates the diversity of personalities, skills, and career paths that make up today’s supply chain professions.

Visual references to the project’s partners are also scattered throughout the pages: Log’issimo cargo bikes, premium servicesfrom Acolyt, perfumes by Louis Vuitton, and logistics operations by FM Logistic.

Beyond its creation, the project was designed from the outset to be widely shared.

One thousand copies are printed and then distributed to schools throughout France through networks organized by partner schools. Log’issimo handles all distribution logistics.

Each shipment includes an educational flyer outlining various ways to use the materials: either for independent use by teachers or for sessions led by LAB Jeunes with students.

The goal is clear: to ensure that the comic book is actually used in the classroom and doesn’t just sit on the shelves of a school library. The teams therefore prioritize working with individuals who are already involved in career guidance and career exploration initiatives.

To further expand its reach, a digital version is also available free of charge on the France Supply Chain website. Accessible via a dedicated form, it allows for easy viewing both in the classroom and remotely, particularly thanks to QR codes embedded in the communication materials.

With this first edition, LAB Jeunes demonstrated that it’s possible to talk about the supply chain in a different way—through a concrete, educational narrative that resonates with young people’s concerns.

The adventure doesn’t end there. The comic book continues to support outreach programs in schools today and is already opening up new possibilities: translation into other languages, expanding its educational use… and perhaps even a second volume to further explore careers in the supply chain.

The supply chain is undergoing major changes, and the numbers confirm it: our Guide to Higher Education Programs in Supply Chain Management—now available in a 100% digital format—has been a huge success, with over 28,000 visits in just one year!
To continue keeping you up to date on the latest developments in the sector, we are pleased to announce an update to this program catalog.

The rise of artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming the very nature of jobs in the supply chain. Data collection, processing, and analysis are rapidly becoming automated, redefining traditional activities such as forecasting, decision-making, and reporting. 

But this transformation doesn't stop at existing roles. It is giving rise to new key positions at the intersection of supply chain, data, and AI: 

In the face of these changes, a company’s true performance will depend on its ability to to advance both technology and humanity simultaneously. The strategic challenge for organizations is now clear: anticipating the skills of tomorrow, adapt job roles and organize these new responsibilities. 

To help you navigate the transformation of supply chain roles, this guide lists a comprehensive range of career paths suited to all profiles and at every stage of a career. 

Our online guide is a powerful tool for targeted searches. To quickly find the course that best suits your needs or those of your teams, the search function uses convenient filters:

• Location: Select courses by region or city to prioritize those closest to you. 

• Language of instruction: Filter programs taught in English or French based on your international goals. 

• Level and format: Adjust according to the intended educational level or teaching method. 

• Fields of study: Choose from supply chain management, logistics, procurement, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and more… 

This updated catalog serves as a powerful tool for structuring your skill-building pathways and promoting supply chain programs. This resource aligns with our goal of making France Supply Chain a bridge between schools, companies, and the talent of tomorrow. It will now be updated annually, as we committed to doing when it was first released in September 2025.