Mike Leggett, CSCO of La-Z-Boy on Changing Perspectives on Career Success

Mike Ogle: We’re happy to have you with us today on the Supply Chain Careers podcast. Welcome.

Mike Leggett: Thank you. I’m excited to be here.

Mike Ogle: So how did you become aware of and get started in your supply chain career? What were some big influences that got you moving along in this industry?

Mike Leggett: Growing up, my stepdad was in the transportation industry, so I saw him in that field as I was growing up. When I went to college at Ohio State, I started as a finance major and got through three of the four years as a finance major. I had an internship that didn’t really excite me. When I came back for my senior year, I started thinking about what I would do when I graduated. I attended a Transportation Logistics Association meeting mainly for the free pizza, but I ended up really enjoying the session. A speaker from Big Lots was there, discussing all the supply chain work at Big Lots, and it was exciting. I followed up with Dr. Cooper, the advisor at the time, who recommended I take a couple of classes in supply chain. So, I ended up taking those classes, graduated with a finance degree, and got a second major in transportation and logistics, now known as supply chain management. From there, I only interviewed with transportation companies, as I wasn’t interested in finance. My dual degrees in finance and transportation turned out to be a good mix, leading to my role at Kimberly-Clark, and the rest is a 25-year history.

Rodney Apple: Mike, having spent time myself with Kimberly-Clark on the recruitment side, I’m familiar with the company in Neenah, Wisconsin, and the Roswell campus. I’d love to hear your perspective, especially since you’ve covered healthcare, CPG with Abbott, and then switched to Masonite in building materials. How have these industries shaped your career? What nuances did you need to learn as you moved from one industry to another and progressed in leadership roles?

Mike Leggett: I did spend time in Neenah and Roswell, so our paths may have crossed. When I joined Kimberly-Clark right out of school, they had a strong tracking system for leadership: give us ten years, be relocatable, perform well, and we’ll make you a leader. That was very attractive to me. I started with transportation, demand planning, and supply planning in Knoxville, Tennessee. Every 18 to 24 months, as long as you did well, they’d move you to a new role. Over the years, I saw all ends of the supply chain, from ERP implementations at headquarters to plant roles, distribution, and asset management. I gained extensive learning in supply chain planning, which Kimberly-Clark excelled at.

At Kimberly-Clark, I was in both the healthcare and CPG sectors, learning that while supply chain principles apply broadly, there are unique differences in each sector. From Kimberly-Clark, I moved to Abbott, a large company with big resources, especially in the nutrition side with products like Similac formula. Abbott allowed me to continue honing my leadership skills. Later, I took a major turn to Masonite, which was emerging from bankruptcy. My mentor was surprised by my decision to leave established CPG for a building products company in financial recovery, but I wanted to build something from scratch. At Masonite, I gained invaluable experience creating processes like S&OP, logistics networks, and customer service, and it rounded out my end-to-end supply chain knowledge. That experience inspired a passion for transformation, leading to my next role with a CEO focused on process and operational transformation, including M&A work. Now, at La-Z-Boy, I am bringing all those experiences together in a role overseeing the entire supply chain.

Mike Ogle: Mike, you came out of school and had this opportunity to join a company that promised growth with relocations across various functions. How are you seeing this approach received by new generations?

Mike Leggett: Absolutely, there’s a difference now. Today, people value the opportunity to learn different functions but prefer staying in one location. When I started, my wife and I moved to different states every couple of years. Now, many early-career professionals want to stay in one city and grow their careers there.

Rodney Apple: Out of the roles you’ve worked in, Mike, what’s been your favorite so far?

Mike Leggett: I love my current role; it’s the culmination of my career. I always aimed to be in a chief supply chain officer role rather than a CEO, and I’m grateful to work for a company that values people development. This role allows me to see the full picture of supply chain, focus on talent and process improvements, and develop people, which I truly enjoy.

Rodney Apple: Mike, as you’ve built a strong career, what are some things you did to develop your leadership skills, and what do you look for in future leaders?

Mike Leggett: I had strong mentors who emphasized the importance of humility and growth. I’ve kept a few principles: I always have a mentor outside my company for candid conversations, I practice servant leadership, and I maintain open feedback loops. I insist on real-time feedback from my leader and do “start, stop, continue” feedback sessions with my team every six months to constantly improve. It’s important to understand the people aspect of supply chain.

Mike Ogle: It sounds like you hire more for attitude than for specific skills.

Mike Leggett: Exactly. Curiosity and ethics are essential. I want people who are eager to learn, smart, and ethical. We can teach the technical side if they have the right attitude and curiosity.

Rodney Apple: I agree. What about working internationally? What have you learned?

Mike Leggett: Working internationally has been eye-opening. It’s essential to understand and respect different business cultures and expectations. Engagement is key when meeting with overseas teams—being rested, showing up engaged, and understanding customs are vital. Building a real partnership requires respect and awareness of local norms.

Rodney Apple: Post-COVID, companies are diversifying supply bases due to geopolitical and raw material concerns. Any advice there?

Mike Leggett: Diversification is crucial. We’re ensuring at least two points of supply, if not three. Electronics, for example, are heavily reliant on China, so we’re qualifying suppliers in multiple regions. It’s essential to balance cost and security by having diversified supplier bases.

Mike Ogle: How do you manage supplier relationships effectively?

Mike Leggett: Clarity is key—clear contracts, clear expectations, and regular communication. We need suppliers who understand the critical role they play in our supply chain.

Rodney Apple: Technology is advancing quickly. How do you keep up with new developments?

Mike Leggett: Staying updated on technology is challenging, but I rely on industry events, podcasts, and a VP of Strategy role within my team, focusing on automation and integration with our ERP system. We’re utilizing cobots for repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Rodney Apple: What are the current hot jobs in supply chain, and where do you see challenges in finding talent?

Mike Leggett: Data analytics roles, especially in S&OP, are in high demand. Data scientists are crucial to make sense of vast amounts of data. In operations, finding hourly workers and skilled mechanical engineers is a challenge. The younger workforce is often more drawn to technology roles, creating a potential future gap in operations talent.

Rodney Apple: It seems that with the trend toward analytics, fewer people are gaining hands-on operations experience. Is that a concern?

Mike Leggett: Yes, it’s a big concern. The next generation of supply chain leaders needs exposure to plant and warehouse operations. There’s a potential gap down the line if we don’t develop talent with experience in these foundational areas.

Rodney Apple: And as we wrap up, what’s the best career advice you’ve received, and do you have any advice for others?

Mike Leggett: First, excel in your current role; the promotions will follow. Remember, you own your career. Actively seek more responsibility when you’re ready, and find a mentor outside your organization. I also recommend updating your resume regularly with accomplishments so you’re prepared when new opportunities arise. Above all, find something you enjoy in supply chain—it’s a field that requires resilience and curiosity.

Rodney Apple: That’s excellent advice. Thank you, Mike. And for our audience, if you’re on a career path in supply chain, take this advice to heart—it can really help advance your career.

Mike Leggett: Absolutely. I’m on LinkedIn, so please reach out with questions. The most rewarding part of my career is helping others in supply chain. Don’t hesitate to connect.

Rodney Apple: Mike, thanks for sharing your career journey and wisdom with our audience. It’s been a fascinating conversation with actionable advice for everyone.

Mike Leggett: I really enjoyed it. Thank you very much.