Sandra Patino - Planning in flux: management consulting mindset & transformations

In this episode, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ talk to ⁠⁠Sandra Patino⁠⁠, a supply chain executive who has worked at Danone, McKinsey, Coty, and Upfield across France, Russia, Canada, the U.S., and the UAE in end to end roles.

Sandra brings a unique mix of management consulting rigor and real-world operational leadership, having led complex transformations in planning, systems, and culture.

She shares how her consulting background shaped her approach to decision-making: sharp communication, data clarity, and business case thinking. We dive into the challenges of merging companies and cultures, including post-acquisition integration in Russia, merging Coty with P&G Beauty, and transforming planning processes under private equity pressure at Upfield.

Key topics covered include:

• • Applying a management consulting mindset to operations and planning
  • Building credible business cases and navigating organizational context
  • Lessons from post-merger integrations in Russia and UAE
  • SAP and IBP implementation at different stages of maturity
  • Managing change through human connection and relentless follow-up
  • Leading teams through private equity-driven transformations
  • Cultural shifts, communication, and process ownership
  Key timestamps:
  • (01:00) – Sandra’s career overview: Danone, McKinsey, Coty, Upfield
  • (01:40) – Consulting lessons: data consistency, sharp communication, business case thinking
  • (04:20) – Handling incomplete or conflicting data: use of proxies and smart definitions
  • (08:14) – Communication tips for cross-functional business case building
  • (10:00) – Why even strong projects don’t get approved: timing, context, and alignment
  • (12:00) – Building credibility and finding strategic allies
  • (14:00) – How local initiatives gain traction in global companies
  • (16:26) – Integration story: Danone’s acquisition of a Russian dairy group
  • (19:19) – Pre-SAP planning realities and post-acquisition process building
  • (20:00) – Merging Coty and P&G Beauty: entrepreneurial vs. process culture
  • (22:00) – Rebuilding planning teams and long-term supply planning across hubs
  • (24:00) – Upfield and private equity: speed, results, and transformation pressure
  • (26:12) – Change management post-implementation: human feedback over tickets
  • (28:28) – There’s no magic wand—just hard work and understanding the ‘why’
  • (29:09) – Sandra’s favorite books and resources: Drive, The Goal, McKinsey articles

‍