Join us in welcoming Kim Lunceford, Vice President of Customer Supply Chain and Logistics at Monogram Foods, to the AWESOME community! We are delighted to have Kim as part of our network, bringing her extensive expertise and passion for innovation in supply chain management. Her leadership and dedication to excellence will undoubtedly enrich our community and inspire us all.
Kim is a Supply Chain executive with over 20 years of leadership experience working in the food manufacturing, outdoor products, firearms, and building product industries. She has a Certified Supply Chain Professional certification from the Association for Supply Chain Management and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the Six Sigma Academy Amsterdam. Her bachelor’s degree is in Management, and she recently completed the Supply Chain Leadership Academy program at the University of Tennessee. Outside of work, Kim is the proud mom of 11-year-old twin boys and a 13-year-old son. When she and her husband aren’t wrangling their boys, they enjoy volunteering at the Midsouth Therapeutic Riding Center. Kim is an innately curious problem solver at heart and loves the variety of challenges and face pace in Supply Chain.
Welcome to AWESOME, Kim!
AWESOME
We’re so happy to welcome you to the AWESOME community of women leaders. What about this network excites you the most?
Kim Lunceford
I think the opportunity to network with other women supply chain leaders is really exciting. Learning from the challenges they’ve overcome and sharing my own experiences to help others is something I’m really looking forward to.
AWESOME
How did you hear about AWESOME?
Lunceford
Michelle spoke at the UT supply chain forum in the spring, which I attended. That was when I first heard about AWESOME. Later, I was talking to Darlene Wolfe from the Food Shippers of America, and she encouraged me to look into the organization. After hearing about it twice within a couple of months, I felt it was a sign, so I checked it out and ended up submitting an application.
AWESOME
Wonderful! Can you tell me about your career journey?
Lunceford
Absolutely. Currently, I work for Monogram Foods as the Vice President of Customer Supply Chain and Logistics. I’ve been here for just under four and a half years, overseeing order management, customer and consumer services, and third-party warehousing and transportation. Before that, I worked for American Outdoor Brands, which owned Smith & Wesson Firearms and several outdoor products and accessory brands. I managed consolidated and highly regulated shipping there. My other CPG experience was with Blue Diamond Almonds in California.
AWESOME
Can you tell me about any significant achievements or challenges you’ve faced throughout your journey?
Lunceford
One of the biggest challenges and achievements was managing an ERP implementation project. Opening up and implementing a new instance of SAP for a former company was challenging but rewarding. It taught me the importance of trusting and leaning on my team. Early in my career, I felt I had to handle everything myself to prove my capability. That project showed me the value of delegation and teamwork. When we went live, seeing the product flow, orders being processed, and everything functioning smoothly was incredibly rewarding.
AWESOME
It sounds like there’s a lot of teamwork involved and letting go of things you can’t control all by yourself.
Lunceford
Absolutely. You learn that your way isn’t necessarily the best way. It’s about doing what’s best, which often involves a mix of different approaches.
AWESOME
In your opinion, what are some key opportunities and challenges facing women leaders in supply chain today?
Lunceford
One challenge is a lack of confidence. Supply chain has traditionally been a male-dominated field, which can cause self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Women need to acknowledge that they are capable and deserving of their roles. This is something I still struggle with at times.
AWESOME
As we switch gears, I’d love to know how you balance the demands of leadership with personal and professional growth.
Lunceford
Prioritization and delegation are key – especially when having a family. Blocking time for family and personal activities on your calendar helps prevent work from encroaching on that time. It’s also important to develop your team so they can support and cover for you when needed.
AWESOME
How do you deal with pressure when trying to prioritize something else?
Lunceford
Setting boundaries is important. Instead of just saying no, offering an alternative timeline that fits your schedule usually works. This allows you to manage your time and set expectations without compromising your priorities.
AWESOME
What advice would you offer to other women aspiring to leadership roles within this industry?
Lunceford
Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and be upfront about your career aspirations. No one will fight for you harder than you will. Communicate your goals with your bosses and work together to achieve them. This benefits both you and the company.
AWESOME
Have you had mentors?
Lunceford
Yes, mentorship has been crucial. Mentors can provide guidance and challenge your way of thinking. It’s also important to have advocates who will actively support you in meetings and opportunities. Both mentors and advocates play different but vital roles in career development.
AWESOME
Do you offer mentorship to others?
Lunceford
Yes, I mentor a few people and also have a mentor myself. It’s important to continue learning and developing. I challenge my team with questions about their career goals and help them with skill-building and stretch assignments to prepare them for future opportunities. This helps them grow and allows me to delegate tasks more effectively.