SCM practice unites supply chain operations with finance and technology to transform middle-market performance
MAY 19, 2026 – CXO Partners, a collection of proven, C-suite operating executives who successfully lead middle-market organizations through transformational change, today announced the expansion of its Supply Chain Management practice, offering comprehensive strategy, operations, and leadership solutions designed to help growing organizations build supply chains that outperform.
The expanded practice delivers end-to-end supply chain capabilities—from strategic sourcing and inventory optimization to logistics transformation and interim leadership—tailored specifically for the unique demands of middle-market companies navigating growth, complexity, and competitive pressure.
This group will be led by accomplished supply chain executive Shawn Holtzclaw who will serve as Managing Partner. Shawn Holtzclaw has deep domain expertise in global sourcing, supply chain solutions, and vendor management.
During his time at the public $5B+ global data and analytics company Equifax, he created and led a global supply chain matrix organization responsible for all outsourcing, vendor management, procurement, and real estate across all business units and geographies with over $500M in spend, recognized by Gartner for its innovative approach.
“Middle-market organizations don’t have the luxury of separating supply chain from finance and technology,” said Shawn Holtzclaw, Managing Partner – Strategy & Supply Chain Management, CXO Partners. “That’s what makes CXO Partners’ approach unique. We integrate supply chain operations across the entire organization, ensuring that every operational improvement translates directly to financial performance. We partner with our clients until the problem is solved and leave our clients with capabilities that are theirs to keep.”
Redefining What Supply Chains Can Achieve
CXO Partners’ Supply Chain Management practice is built on a foundational belief: your supply chain is either funding your growth or constraining it.
The firm’s embedded teams work alongside client leadership to identify where performance is being left on the table and build actionable roadmaps to capture it.
Unlike traditional consulting engagements, CXO Partners structures every project around measurable financial outcomes and executive alignment—delivering strategic clarity, operational transformation, flexibility, and resiliency that holds when conditions change.
Eight Transformative Supply Chain Capabilities
CXO Partners’ expanded practice offers eight core capabilities, each designed to deliver measurable financial impact:
- Logistics & Distribution – Data-driven freight analysis, intelligent route planning, and real-time visibility to reduce landed cost and improve on-time, in-full delivery across distribution networks. Key Financial Impact: Landed Cost, Freight as % of Revenue, On-Time In-Full (OTIF).
- Integrated Business Planning / S&OP – Unified planning frameworks that align sales, operations, finance, and technology around a single, rolling operating plan—converting cross-functional friction into coordinated execution. Key Financial Impact: Forecast Accuracy, EBITDA Margin, Asset Utilization (OEE)
- Inventory & Cash Flow Management – Inventory strategies that right-size stock levels, reduce days inventory outstanding, and convert working capital into a competitive advantage. Key Financial Impact: Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO), Working Capital, Cash-to-Cash Cycle.
- Process Automation & Technology Leverage – Targeted automation solutions that reduce transaction costs, minimize errors, and redirect teams toward activities that drive profitable, sustainable growth. Key Financial Impact: OpEx (Indirect Labor Cost), PO Cycle Time, Cost per Transaction.
- Shared Services & Business Process Outsourcing – Shared services models and outsourcing strategies that standardize improved practices, reduce SG&A, and create scalability for the next stage of growth. Key Financial Impact: SG&A as % of Revenue, Labor Productivity, Scalability Ratio.
- Strategic Sourcing & Category Management – Structured category management and total cost of ownership analysis to capture material savings of 10-20% and strengthen gross margin. Key Financial Impact: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Direct Material Savings, Gross Margin %.
- Strategic Supplier Partnerships & Performance Management – Building supplier relationships that secure supply continuity, create business development and R&D leverage, and convert key suppliers into strategic competitive assets. Key Financial Impact: Supplier Lead Time, Supply Continuity (Risk), Purchase Price Variance (PPA).
- Supply Chain Interim & Fractional Leadership – Interim or fractional Chief Supply Chain Officer, COO, or VP of Supply Chain services, plus mentoring and advisory support for new supply chain executives.
The CXO Partners Supply Chain Team
The expanded Supply Chain Management practice is led by a cross-functional team of seasoned operators with deep expertise across finance, supply chain operations, and technology:
Supply Chain Operations
Ken Goins (bio)
Operating Partner, Office of the CFO
Ken Goins is a global finance, supply chain, operations, and shared services executive with more than 40 years of experience leading high-impact initiatives across consumer durable goods manufacturing and financial services companies.
Tim Tsouchlos (bio)
Operating Partner, Supply Chain Operations
Tim Tsouchlos (TOO-close) is a global supply chain executive and strategy and operations expert who has led high-impact initiatives throughout his 20-plus-year career. He builds supply chains that support sales growth, shorten decision cycles, and keep products flowing when competitors face disruptions.
Dr. E. Jeffrey Hutchinson (bio)
Operating Partner, Supply Chain Operations
Dr. Jeff Hutchinson is a board-level executive with deep experience in technology governance, enterprise risk, cybersecurity oversight, digital transformation, and supply chain management. He leads organizations through complex business and technology transformations and leverages innovative solutions to drive measurable outcomes.
Finance, Office of the CFO
Mike Casey (bio)
CXO Partners Managing Partner; Managing Partner, Office of the CFO
Mike served as the CFO at several public software and services businesses through initial public offerings, turnarounds and restructurings, and mergers & acquisitions, including MAPICS, Inc., iXL Enterprises, Inc., Manhattan Associates, Inc., and IQ Software Corporation.
Chris Gwiazda (bio)
Operating Partner, Office of the CFO
Chris Gwiazda is a seasoned finance executive and trusted business advisor, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in driving growth, operational improvement, supply chain management, and business turnarounds across media, technology, and professional services sectors.
Mark Livingston (bio)
Operating Partner, Office of the CFO
Mark Livingston is a seasoned financial executive and CPA with over three decades of extensive experience in high-level financial and SCM roles, including interim and fractional CFO positions.
Technology Strategy Services
Tracy Deuell (bio)
Managing Partner, Technology Strategy Services
Tracy Deuell is an experienced direct and interim CIO, having supported several companies in their supply chain, warehousing, and transportation, along with transformation or turnaround efforts.