Louise VERSTRAETE CLAUDIN: An Inspiring Vision of the Supply Chain Focused on the Customer
During the 7th “Inspiring Women in Supply Chain” webinar hosted by Marie-Laure Furgala, Louise Verstraete Claudin, Supply Chain Director at Weldom, shared an insightful career journey marked by operational rigor, a hands-on approach, and a strong conviction: the supply chain is one of the most powerful drivers of value creation for businesses and customer satisfaction.
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.
I fell in love with scheduling, S&OP, and the connection between planning and execution.
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.
The supply chain is a far cry from the glitz and glamour, and yet it makes everything we see possible.
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.”
Did you know?
Weldom will represent France at the ELA Awards with its comprehensive project involving state-of-the-art mechanization of a 140,000-square-meter warehouse. The company was previously honored in early 2026 with the title of “Kings of the Supply Chain” for modernizing and expanding a mechanized material-handling solution while maintaining operations and ensuring uninterrupted service.
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.
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