
Kirsten Babb, fleet procurement manager for Fleet Advantage, was named an overall winner of the Rising Stars category for this year’s Rock Stars of the Supply Chain award, presented by Food Logistics.
As fleet procurement manager, Babb is tasked with managing the procurement of Class 8 tractors and trailers while ensuring seamless collaboration with the company’s OEM partners and dealerships. One of Babb’s critical tasks involves overseeing and executing large-scale lease originations. With $500 million in lease originations processed under her guidance over the past year, her role is pivotal in aligning equipment specifications, pricing, and client expectations. This requires an intricate understanding of procurement cycles, market trends, and logistics, ensuring that Fleet Advantage remains a reliable partner to its clients. Her thorough attention to detail and proactive communication with suppliers has been instrumental in streamlining these processes.
Beyond procurement, Babb is deeply involved in maintaining data accuracy within Fleet Advantage’s CRM and ATLAAS (Advanced Truck Lifecycle Administrative Analytics Software) platforms, ensuring they remain updated with the latest information on equipment specifications and procurement activities. She also actively trains and guides new hires, fostering a collaborative work environment, and collaborates closely with senior leadership to identify and implement initiatives that improve operational efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, and align with the company’s sustainability goals.
Her unique combination of technical expertise, leadership in diversity, and operational innovation distinguishes her as a standout professional in the transportation sector of the global cold food supply chain.
Over the past year, Babb has spearheaded several initiatives, including redesigning the casualty buyout process, which reduced the time required for vehicle delivery by 30%. She also updated spec review templates, which enabled a 2% increase in fleet fuel efficiency, and actively supports initiatives like the Women In Trucking Mentor Match Program.
She also maintains a Certified Transportation Professional (CTP) accreditation, which highlights her in-depth knowledge of fleet operations.
In the next 12 months, Babb aims to focus on operational improvements, sustainability advancements, leadership development and strengthening client relationships.
We talked exclusively with Babb about her journey from trailer technician to fleet procurement manager, her passion for transportation and what it takes to achieve sustainability goals.
Food Logistics: Let’s first talk about you. Tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey to get to this current stage in your career?
Kirsten Babb: My passion for the transportation industry began as a child, inspired by my grandfathers, who were diesel mechanics and CDL holders. and I looked up to both so much. Spending time with them in shops and junkyards instilled an early fascination with vehicles and the intricacies of the industry.
My first job in transportation, washing and working on bulk tanks for a bulk carrier company, was foundational in teaching me the value of hard work and adaptability. From there, I progressed into logistics roles in just a few months, ultimately serving as National Tank Quality Manager, Terminal Manager, and Southeast Operations Manager. These positions provided hands-on exposure to operations, customer relations, and problem-solving across diverse facets of transportation.
Today, as Fleet Procurement Manager at Fleet Advantage, I leverage this cumulative experience to oversee the procurement of Class 8 trucks and trailers, ensure alignment with client needs, and build strategic relationships with OEMs and dealers.
Purchasing equipment for some of the largest and most prestigious fleets in the industry comes with a lot of responsibility. Understanding our customer applications, equipment challenges, industry challenges, and what it takes to have good dealer relationships is crucial to my current role and working on a few different sides of the fence has allowed for that.
Food Logistics: One of the things outlined in your submission is how, as a Fleet Procurement Manager, you are uniquely positioned for both operational excellence and customer satisfaction. What does this mean? And why is it important for someone rising through the ranks of the supply chain to excel at both?
Babb: Operational excellence and customer satisfaction are deeply interconnected. My background in operations has taught me to understand how quickly, and dramatically, operational successes or failures impact customers. Ultimately, customer satisfaction is what drives the company’s success in the future. I understand how crucial it is for our customers to have faith in what we do and how we do it. As a Fleet Procurement Manager, I need to be able to help them choose the correct equipment, be successful in their spending goals, receive equipment on time, and be there for support throughout the life of the equipment.
Operational excellence ensures the reliability of our services, while customer satisfaction builds trust and fosters loyalty, positioning Fleet Advantage as a leader in the transportation industry. Balancing these priorities requires strategic foresight, attention to detail, and a commitment to exceeding expectations.
Food Logistics: As a fleet procurement manager, you’re tasked with managing the procurement of Class 8 tractors and trailers while ensuring seamless collaboration with the company’s OEM partners and dealerships. How do you predict some of the ESG- and safety-related regulations will impact fleet procurement?
Babb: ESG and safety-related regulations are expected to significantly impact fleet procurement strategies. As an industry we will need to shift our thinking from a 12-month strategy to a 5-year strategy. This shift will allow fleets to plan not only for the acquisition of the tractors but also the infrastructure needed to fuel the units, electric, natural gas etc. Stricter emission standards will drive the procurement of Class 8 tractors and trailers that comply with evolving regulations, prompting a shift toward alternative fuel vehicles such as electric or hydrogen-powered options. Updating vehicle specifications to enhance fuel efficiency will also be a priority, as demonstrated by my initiative to improve spec review templates, achieving a 2% increase in fleet fuel efficiency.
Sustainability goals will further influence procurement practices as companies with transportation fleets aim to demonstrate adherence to ESG commitments. This includes conducting lifecycle assessments of fleet assets to minimize environmental impact and adopting sustainable practices across procurement processes. My efforts to integrate sustainability into procurement highlight this growing trend. Furthermore, the increased need for compliance tracking and reporting will drive fleet procurement teams to rely on data-driven tools. Platforms such as Fleet Advantage’s ATLAAS (Advanced Truck Lifecycle Administrative Analytics Software), which I help maintain, will be crucial for ensuring compliance and optimizing fleet operations.
Our entire team recognizes the importance of adhering to safety-related compliance and regulations, which is crucial for our clients. This approach ensures driver and public safety, prevents accidents, and avoids costly penalties and rising insurance rates. Advanced data analytics play a vital role in tracking fleet equipment for safety, allowing our clients to identify risky behaviors, predict mechanical issues, and develop targeted training programs. These insights, driven by our team here at Fleet Advantage, help create a culture of safety and maintain regulatory compliance.
We believe that the implementation of the newest truck technology with advanced safety features further enhances truck and driver safety. Features like collision mitigation systems, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warnings significantly reduce accident risks. Adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking systems contribute to safer driving practices and improved fuel efficiency. By combining data analytics with advanced safety technologies, our clients can proactively address safety concerns, optimize performance, and ensure regulatory compliance, ultimately protecting lives and investments.
Food Logistics: Over the past year, you’ve spearheaded several initiatives, some being the redesign of the casualty buyout process, updating spec review templates, managing $500 million in lease originations and more. Walk us through what’s involved in some of these initiatives.
Babb: Redesigning the casualty process was a goal of mine specifically due to experience with casualties in my past roles. The casualty buyout process redesign addressed a critical pain point for clients by reducing the time needed for vehicle delivery by 30%. This streamlined process allowed insurance companies and customers to initiate their own steps sooner, minimizing downtime and costs. Updating spec review templates involved tailoring details to individual client needs—whether high-level summaries or in-depth analyses. This customization improved collaboration and led to a 2% increase in fleet fuel efficiency, showcasing the tangible benefits of personalized solutions.
Managing $500 million in lease originations was a collaborative effort, requiring precision, market awareness, and strong communication with clients. These initiatives highlight my dedication to operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and driving measurable outcomes for Fleet Advantage and its clients.
Food Logistics: If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell her?
Babb: I would tell her that she has no idea how big this world really is. Attitude is everything and you must always believe in yourself. Always choose to do something you are truly passionate about, and the doors will continue to open. Choose who you surround yourself with wisely and always repay the favor when you can. Always be kind and don’t take anything for granted.
Food Logistics: The Rising Stars category recognizes young or newer professionals whose achievements, hard work and vision have shaped the supply chain network. What advice do you have for other young rising stars entering the supply chain space?
Babb: I have always envied the supply chain/transportation industry because it reminds me so much of what I used to tell people about the horse industry. It’s like a whole world inside of the real world. It may seem very small at first, but there are so many opportunities for personal and professional growth. This industry is full of amazing people and having a hand making the world go around is really an amazing thing. If you stay humble and take chances on yourself, you can go anywhere you want to. The world is quickly changing and there is so much opportunity to drive the course of the future.
Food Logistics: What are some things not addressed above that would be pertinent to include in the article detailing Kirsten’s strengths, achievements, overall goals, etc.?
Babb: Babb’s journey from trailer technician to Fleet Procurement Manager is a testament to her resilience, determination, and passion for excellence. Her career trajectory highlights the value of hands-on experience and continuous professional development in achieving leadership success. This background gives her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within fleet management, enabling her to deliver innovative solutions that address both technical and strategic needs.
Earlier this year, Babb was recognized as a recipient of the Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive 2024 Women in Supply Chain Award. This prestigious honor highlights her significant contributions to advancing supply chain efficiency, sustainability, and inclusion. The award serves as a testament to her leadership, expertise, and dedication to driving progress within an industry critical to global operations.
In addition to being a CTP (Certified Transportation Professional), she actively participates in industry leadership programs and forums. Her contributions to organizations like the ATA’s Leaders of Tomorrow and Women In Trucking highlight her dedication to advancing the industry as a whole. Her work serves as a model for how individual leaders can drive cultural and operational change on a broader scale.