Craig Thompson

Craig is a broad-based logistics professional with 30 years experience in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Physical Distribution and Customer Service. Focusing on operating strategy, program design, performance turnarounds and project management, he has improved competitive performance at such leading companies as Nabisco, Adidas, and Alpo Pet Foods.

As an innovative problem-solver and a trusted change manager, Craig has a track record of introducing logistics and supply chain management improvements that were “firsts” in the company. Among these, he created Celanese Coatings Company’s first Distribution Center, wrote KFC’s first strategic network planning model and also designed, implemented and managed their first full-service competitive distribution program. He introduced Nabisco Foods’ first integrated logistics management system and pioneered collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment with key customers and suppliers for Weider Health & Fitness.

When Alpo Pet Foods warehouses were reeling under an inventory explosion, Craig advised them on better inventory and warehousing practices – along with improved private fleet management. When Adidas brought in a management team to restore U.S. operating and service reliability, Craig was their Operations leader. This team did the job – the consolidated operations center was restored to viability and Adidas was named the best soccer supplier in the U.S. When Bradlees went into Chapter 11, Craig came in to set up performance management, strengthen productivity improvement, introduce operational and long-range planning systems and design delivery programs that increased retail performance.  Bradlees emerged from bankruptcy protection on schedule.  

When SAP sought to establish their leadership in SCM technology, Craig was the outside expert first brought into the U.S. organization to provide broad subject matter support in pre-sales activities and guidance in functional design.  Kohler adopted Craig's roadmap for SCM improvement and Craig advised GM's Metal Fabrication Division on strengthening its inventory management and control.  Craig also served as the team leader in the Supply Chain Council SCOR metrics development project.  Additional career accomplishments include DC design and justification; project management for major business integration, operations relocation and systems design; global supply chain re-engineering; and streamlining purchasing operations and setting up e-tail fulfillment programs.

Craig holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Louisville.  A long-time member of the Council of Logistics Management, Warehouse Education & Research Council, Craig has given numerous talks on logistics excellence and co-authored "Logistics Physical Resource Management", published in the Journal of Business Logistics.