According to a recent survey done by Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium, companies are now more likely to have executive-level supply chain leaders. Nearly half of the retail and manufacturing companies who responded have a supply chain leader at the executive vice president level or above (the chart below shows a breakdown by industry.)

With all of the buzz about the growing importance of supply chain operations, and how having visibility into a well-managed supply chain can save a company tons, you'd think that the people heading up these operations - the logistics and supply chain professionals - would have a seat on the board of directors. Well apparently that is not exactly the case, at least in Europe. According to a new survey, 40% of European retailers and manufacturers still fail to include any supply chain professionals on their managerial boards. That is not to say that companies are overlooking the cost-saving opportunities in the supply chains - many have actually increased their overall headcount in the department. It seems to me though, that if a company fully recognizes the value of having a well-managed supply chain, then the department should have a voice in the company's governing body.