From reverse logistics in publishing to coordinating international procurement for global supply chains, Olufunmilayo Ogunwole has built a career out of making systems work smarter and for people. With a background in systems engineering and a growing reputation in supply chain analytics, she’s one of the few Nigerian professionals combining data-driven innovation with operational leadership across logistics, warehousing, HR, and IT.
In this interview, she shares what it means to rethink efficiency, why automation isn’t just about speed, and how empathy has shaped her journey across Nigeria’s industrial corridors.
You’ve worn many hats across operations, from logistics and warehousing to procurement and now supply chain analytics. What has tied all these roles together for you?
I think the common thread has always been this: how do we make systems work better for people? Whether I’m looking at inventory flows, supplier relationships, or reporting structures, I try to see the human side. When systems fail, whether it’s a late shipment, a stockout, or a misaligned approval chain, someone feels it. Systems should empower people, not just processes.
So, I focus on clarity, visibility, and speed, but not at the expense of usability. My early days at Pneuma Publishing taught me that even small gaps in stock tracking or reverse logistics could lead to massive inefficiencies. Later at Samsung and Krones, I saw that technology alone doesn’t solve problems; it’s how you design the workflow, who is trained on it, and how responsive the feedback loop is.
Let’s talk about your time at Krones West Africa. What did you find most transformative about your experience there?
Krones were pivotal for me. It wasn’t just about managing forecasts or supervising analysts, it was about building a culture around insight. I led the analytics team and worked closely with both materials management and the sales department to sync projections with real-time operations.
We were able to increase sales forecast accuracy and improve turnaround time because we weren’t just crunching numbers, we were translating them into stories that decision-makers could act on. I also got to experiment with early data science methods, building reports that predicted bottlenecks, measuring the reliability of supplier timelines, and supporting overhaul planning using structured models.
You’ve spent the last few years managing procurement across Europe and Nigeria. What’s one lesson that’s stayed with you?
The importance of visibility. When I was overseeing international procurement, I realized most cost overruns weren’t just due to supplier prices, they were due to miscommunication, late data, and inconsistent tracking. I began building internal dashboards to monitor delivery timelines, cost fluctuations, and payment cycles. That helped us cut unnecessary costs and negotiate better terms. I didn’t call it data science back then, but it was the beginning of how I started seeing data as a problem-solving tool.
Your profile reflects a strong process mindset. How do you balance structure with innovation?
Structure gives you a baseline, a way to measure, compare, and predict. But innovation comes when you look at the structure and ask: what doesn’t need to be here anymore? I’ve introduced SOPs and rebuilt materials management workflows, but I’ve also been the one asking, “why are we still doing this manually?”
At Krones, I initiated changes that helped us reduce redundancies, like replacing fragmented spreadsheets with central dashboards or automating purchase order tracking. Innovation doesn’t always mean something new; sometimes, it’s simplifying what’s already there.
You’ve worked with suppliers across Europe and managed reverse logistics for large-scale operations. How do you approach international procurement differently?
Respect and documentation. When you’re managing procurement across borders, especially between Europe and Nigeria, timelines, regulations, and trade terms can vary widely. I always make sure INCOTERMS are well understood, customs documentation is watertight, and communication is consistent.
At Krones, I managed to reverse logistics and inbound shipping for alternate suppliers with very tight deadlines. Coordinating with freight agents, finance teams, and customs isn’t glamorous work, but it’s foundational. A single gap in Form-M processing or insurance certification can delay shipments by weeks. So I pay attention to details, build strong vendor relationships, and stay proactive.
Looking back at the start of your career till date, what do you feel most proud of in your professional journey so far?
I’m proud of the fact that I’ve always stayed adaptable. From NOC operations in telecoms to running trade logistics in publishing, to building supply chain analytics frameworks, I never said, “this isn’t my lane.” I learned, contributed, and built systems that lasted beyond my presence.
Also, seeing my teams grow, analysts who now lead their projects, interns who’ve become procurement leads, that’s priceless. Because for me, systems are only as good as the people they support.
And what’s next?
I’m currently exploring how automation and data science can deepen our visibility into supply chain performance. I’m also investing in continuous learning, whether that’s through certifications, workshops, or hands-on experimentation. Long term, I want to contribute to building intelligent systems with capabilities of analyzing a vast amount of data, systems that are both scalable and human-centered, not just in Nigeria, but globally.
Olufunmilayo Ogunwole is a supply chain strategist and systems thinker passionate about bridging processes and people. Since the start of her career, she has already led operations across procurement, warehousing, logistics, and analytics for some of Nigeria’s most structured organizations. Her career reflects not just professional versatility but a steady commitment to building resilient, data-driven, and people-first systems.
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