Lifetime of Achievement: Lynn Torrel

As Global VP of Strategic Sourcing at Google since October 2023, Lynn Torrel is knowledgeable about the procurement landscape. When appointed as Chief Supply Chain and Procurement Officer at Flex before assuming her role at Google, she was described as an "innovative and solutions-oriented person, adept at managing complex customer and supplier requirements, as well as delivering improved financial performance and enhancing relationships”.

In 2021 she was named to Supply & Demand Chain Executive's 2021 list of Pros to Know. The award recognizes outstanding executives whose accomplishments offer a roadmap for other leaders looking to leverage supply chains for competitive advantage.

Speaking after receiving the award, she said: "The past year has been an incredibly challenging environment for supply chain professionals. It may be my name on the list, but succeeding during this difficult time requires a level of collaboration and creativity that only a world-class team could achieve. On behalf of the entire Flex team, our customers and suppliers, I am grateful to the Supply & Demand Chain Executive for this honour."

The award recognises Lynn and her team for their leadership overseeing one of the world's largest and most complex supply chains, successfully navigating the challenges brought by the global pandemic.

Prior to Flex, Lynn worked at Avnet, EBV Elektronik and Wyle Electronics.

With more than a quarter of a century of experience, Lynn brings a wealth of expertise and an established record in supply chain management. She joined from Avnet, where as President of Avnet United and Velocity and was responsible for maintaining and expanding Avnet’s largest and most strategic customer and supply chain programmes worldwide. Lynn was also responsible for global semiconductor supplier relationships. She joined Avnet after its acquisition of EBV Elektronik Munich in 2001, where she served as Manager of Corporate Accounts and Logistics.

Speaking to Medium, Lynn said: “As an executive, it’s essential to prioritise, compartmentalise and multi-task. You also need to remain calm and thoughtful during times of crisis, ensuring goals are met and addressing tactical execution issues while strategically planning for the future. Finally, you need to ensure you and the team are engaged, productive and achieving critical business goals. I believe many people have the capability but struggle to commit to the required intensity.”

She studied for her MBA at Arizona State University, having obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

While her career may have been in supply rather than scoops, Lynn revealed in an interview with Stage 4 Solutions that she actually graduated with a degree in communications with minors in political science and journalism, initially aspiring to become a broadcast investigative journalist. She worked for the local TV channel, running the teleprompter before she began presenting the weather and reporting further in her senior year. She transitioned to the tech industry with her first job at Wyle Electronics, a semiconductor distribution company, where she developed a passion for the tech industry and a particular interest in supply chain management.

During this time, her husband had an opportunity to work in Germany, coinciding with Wyle's acquisition by a German holding company that also owned EBV. Arriving in Europe, she joined the company, becoming Strategic Account Manager for select pan-European and global customers, conducting contract negotiations and coordinated sales and supply chain initiatives. Planning to stay in Germany for a year, she remained there for eight.

Initially bridging the gap between Wyle Electronics and EBV Elektronik before moving to Avnet, she held various leadership roles and accrued 25 years of experience in the industry. At Avnet, she eventually became President of Avnet United and Velocity, which she considered her dream job. During her time with Avent, she moved back to the US, to Phoenix, Arizona.

However, Lynn felt a desire for further personal and professional development. 

While content teaching and mentoring new employees, she realised she wasn't learning as much as desired. This prompted her to explore new opportunities that could challenge her and expand her skills. Surprisingly, just four weeks after deciding to explore new paths, she received an unexpected call from Flex.

Flex offered her a unique role managing one of the world's most complex and sophisticated global supply chains. After interviewing and meeting the leadership team, Lynn was convinced that the position at Flex was an excellent fit for her aspirations. She and her husband made the difficult decision to relocate from Arizona to San Jose.

Speaking with Stage 4 Solutions, Lynn said: “I think it’s just an internal part of my nature, I am a lifelong learner so every day, I am excited to learn something new. It is that internal desire to continue to learn and expose myself to challenging situations and to see how I will react, and where I could take my career.”

In October 2023, she was named as the Global VP for Strategic Sourcing at Google.

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