Karen Smith Named EVP Supply Chain for Kontoor Brands
Karen Smith has been named executive VP of supply chain at Kontoor Brands, succeeding the retiring Randy Fortenberry.
Previously VP of global supply chain operations, Smith will now oversee all aspects of supply chain management for the parent company to the Wrangler and Lee brands, including global operations, planning, global manufacturing and sourcing, responsible sourcing, product quality and stewardship, customer service, distribution and logistics and master data governance.
She’ll also have responsibility for all components of the company’s supply chain strategy, including trade-related functions and operations, and will be a part of the company’s executive leadership team. Furthermore, she serves as the North America Inclusion & Diversity Council chair.
Smith assumed the VP of global supply chain operations after Kontoor’s 2019 spinoff from VF Corp. At VF she held a number of roles, including VP of supply chain for Jeanswear, Imagewear, Sportswear and Timberland, and VP of global supply chain operations for Timberland.
Prior to that, she spent nine years at Jockey International, including as VP of operations.
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“Karen brings extensive experience across all aspects of responsible and efficient supply chain management,” Kontoor president and CEO Scott Baxter said. “More importantly, she’s a proven leader with a talent for building and motivating teams along with a deep commitment to Kontoor’s culture. She’s a perfect fit for this critical role.”
Fortenberry will retire at the end of April after more than 30 years of serving VF and Kontoor’s supply chain organizations.
