Interim Supply Chain Executive

A sudden departure, a medical leave, a carve-out, or a transformation that's lost its owner — supply-chain leadership gaps don't pause production. Orders still ship, suppliers still need managing, and a peak season or audit won't move because the org chart has a hole in it.

An interim supply chain executive fills that gap immediately: a senior leader who can step into a VP or Chief Supply Chain Officer seat, hold it steady, and hand off cleanly to a permanent hire. Cristian Stelea spent 30 years running supply chain at The Coca-Cola Company and can take the wheel without a long ramp-up.

What an interim engagement covers

Full-time presence for as long as the gap lasts — then a clean handoff.

Immediate leadership

Step into the VP / CSCO role with the seniority to make decisions from day one, not after a three-month ramp.

Stabilize operations

Keep planning, sourcing, quality, and logistics running, and triage whatever was at risk during the gap.

Move key work forward

Don't just hold the seat — keep critical initiatives and supplier relationships progressing.

Set up your successor

Document, mentor, and hand off so your permanent hire inherits order, not a mess.

What it protects

No leadership vacuum during a vulnerable stretch.
Continuity for your team, suppliers, and customers.
Time to run a proper permanent search without pressure.
A clean, documented handoff instead of lost institutional knowledge.

A steady hand with nothing to prove

An interim executive isn't auditioning for the permanent role, which means the only agenda is doing right by the business during the transition. Cristian brings three decades of operating experience and can be effective quickly — exactly what a gap demands.

If the need is ongoing rather than temporary, a [fractional supply chain executive](/services/fractional-supply-chain-executive) may be the better long-term fit — and that's an easy conversation to have.

Book a free consultation

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between an interim and a fractional supply chain executive?

An interim executive is full-time but temporary — they fill a sudden gap (a departure, leave, or carve-out) until a permanent leader is in place. A fractional executive is ongoing but part-time — a few days a month on a continuing basis. Interim is about covering a vacancy; fractional is about getting senior leadership without a full-time hire.

How quickly can you start?

Interim engagements are built for speed. After a short scoping conversation to understand the situation and priorities, Cristian can step in quickly — the point of interim cover is that the work can't wait.

How long do interim engagements last?

Usually until a permanent hire is in place and onboarded — commonly a few months. The engagement is scoped to the gap, with a clear plan for handoff from the start.

Do you help find the permanent replacement?

Cristian focuses on running the function and setting your successor up to succeed, including defining what the permanent role really needs. He can also advise on what to look for in the permanent hire.

Service Fractional Supply Chain Executive C-suite supply-chain leadership on a fraction of the cost and commitment — for companies that need senior firepower now. Service Food & Beverage Supply Chain Consulting Operations, quality, and digital expertise for food & beverage companies — from someone who ran it at global scale. Article Fractional vs. Interim vs. Full-Time: Which Supply Chain Leader Do You Need? Fractional, interim, or full-time? They solve different problems. How to match the leadership model to what your supply chain actually needs. Article What Is a Fractional Supply Chain Executive? (And When to Hire One) C-suite supply-chain leadership without the full-time hire — what a fractional executive actually does, and how to know when you need one.

Let's talk about your supply chain.

The first 30 minutes are free — bring your hardest problem and get a clear-eyed read from someone who has solved it at global scale.