Simon D. Ellis, Practice Director

Simon D. Ellis is currently a Practice Director at Global Retail Insights, one of IDC’s industry research companies that addresses the current market gap by providing fact-based research and analysis on best practices and the use of information technology to assist clients in improving their capabilities in key process areas.

Simon is an expert on the topic of Supply Chain and specializes in advising clients on LCS (Low Cost Sourcing), Lean, Six Sigma and more.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Simon most recently was the Supply Chain Strategy Director/Futurist for Unilever North America, a $12 billion division of Unilever, the maker of such well-known products as Dove, Suave, Wisk, all, Q-tips and Vaseline. Simon was responsible for leading the implementation of key new technologies that impacted the future of the Unilever Supply Chain. Specifically he led the North American RFID and e-Catalog teams, and was the project leader for the new Data Management Organization.

Having been with Unilever since 1985, Simon has also worked within the sales and logistics organizations with extensive interaction with key retailers, thus possessing a well-rounded business background. Prior to Unilever North America, Simon worked for Unilever subsidiaries Lipton/Foods in finance from 1985-1990, and Lever Brothers in finance and logistics from 1990-1997.

Simon received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University and an MBA in Finance from Columbia University.