Lauren Richardson, Colgate-Palmolive: Strategic Sourcing
Lauren Richardson serves as CPO at Colgate-Palmolive, a global leader in consumer products.
In this role since 2016, Lauren has overseen the company's procurement strategies, focusing on operational efficiency, cost savings and sustainable sourcing.
Lauren’s career journey
Lauren’s career spans several prominent positions in procurement and supply chain management.
Before joining Colgate-Palmolive, she was the Senior Vice President and CPO at Starbucks, where she led global procurement initiatives.
Before that, Lauren served as Senior Vice President of Procurement at L Brands, contributing to the company's supply chain optimisation.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Accounting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, providing a strong foundation for her roles in finance and procurement.
Industry influence
Known for her strategic thinking and collaborative approach, Lauren has been instrumental in driving savings and implementing integrated plans to achieve mutual profit goals.
Her leadership emphasises process improvements and sustainable cost management, aligning procurement functions with Colgate-Palmolive's broader business objectives.
Under her guidance, Colgate-Palmolive has made significant strides toward sustainability. In collaboration with Ann Tracy, the company's Chief Sustainability Officer, Lauren has worked on initiatives aiming for net-zero emissions, showcasing the importance of procurement in achieving environmental goals.
Lauren’s extensive experience across major corporations positions her as a thought leader in procurement and supply chain management.
Her efforts in promoting sustainable practices within the supply chain have been recognised industry-wide, contributing to Colgate-Palmolive's reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking company.
Vision for the future
Looking ahead, Lauren envisions a procurement landscape that leverages advanced technologies and fosters strong supplier partnerships to drive innovation and sustainability.
She is committed to enhancing the agility and resilience of Colgate-Palmolive's supply chain, ensuring it can adapt to evolving market dynamics and environmental challenges.
Lauren's tenure as CPO at Colgate-Palmolive is marked by strategic innovation, a commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.
Her leadership continues to shape the company's procurement practices, ensuring they contribute effectively to Colgate-Palmolive's mission of delivering quality consumer products responsibly.
Procurement teams today are driving growth, financial improvement and agility during continual disruptions. We work with internal partners to source for innovation and sustainability. We lead the thinking on risk mitigation. We bring out the best in our talented suppliers to deliver our future. It’s a great profession with so much more to do ! This recognition belongs to the Colgate-Palmolive Global Procurement team across the world, an amazing group of people that I get to work with every day.
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