James Hargreaves

With over two decades of experience in global supply chain management, I have led procurement transformation programmes for some of the world’s most complex manufacturing and distribution organisations.

My career at Caterpillar spanned strategic sourcing, supplier development, and logistics network design — working across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to build supply chains that are simultaneously resilient, cost-efficient, and positioned to support ambitious business growth.

I established this consultancy to bring that calibre of expertise to organisations that need experienced, senior-level guidance without the overhead of a large firm. I work with a small number of clients at any time, which means each engagement receives my full attention and the depth of thinking that complex supply chain challenges deserve.

My approach combines rigorous quantitative analysis with deep operational experience. I have spent time on warehouse floors and in supplier boardrooms, and I believe that effective supply chain strategy must be grounded in operational reality as well as financial logic. Recommendations that cannot be implemented are not recommendations — they are reports.

Areas of focus:

• Procurement strategy and category management
• Supplier base rationalisation and relationship development
• Logistics network design and carrier management
• Supply chain resilience and risk frameworks
• Operating model transformation and capability building