EV expert Amy Paulsen leads GM’s global vehicle logistics as Cristina Learman moves to purchasing

In the latest change to General Motors’ logistics leadership, Amy Paulsen has taken over as director of finished vehicle logistics at the carmaker, succeeding Cristina Learman, who is moving to a new role at GM outside logistics as global director of program purchasing management, effective September 1st.

Paulsen will report to Marcio Lucon, who from September 1^st will be executive director for global logistics and containerisation at GM, following the retirement of Renee Wawrzysnski.

Paulsen will be responsible for the network design and operations of the carmaker’s logistics across domestic and international vehicle logistics, working closely with partners across transport modes, plant yards, ports and distribution partners globally. 

Bringing a startup mindset to large, legacy operation 

Paulsen brings a new perspective to GM’s significant, but fast-changing logistics operations and strategy. Her background ranges from maritime and trade law, compliance and supply chain positions especially for startup and electric vehicle manufacturers. It’s an experience that should benefit the carmaker as it evolves its product, manufacturing and distribution to build and distribute electric vehicles and batteries, whilst still maintaining flexible, high-volume output across a range of models and powertrains.

Paulsen has held critical logistics and supply chain roles over the past decade at several EV makers based in California. After working initially in logistics purchasing at Caterpillar, in 2012 she joined Tesla and went on to help plan and implement the carmaker’s logistics network in the early days of its volume expansion, working as global supply manager for logistics and new markets. After leaving the company in 2016, she would go on to work in logistics and trade compliance at startups such as China’s Byton, including on import and custom regulations, before in 2018 she became vice-president of logistics and trade compliance at EV manufacturer, Rivian.

At Rivian, Paulsen was one of the principal architects in developing the carmaker’s inbound and vehicle logistics strategy, logistics IT infrastructure, as well as trade compliance, from startup to pre-production and serial production at the OEM’s plant in Normal, Illinois. She would also take on a key role in advising on regulatory aspects of direct sales, service and distribution to customers globally.

After leaving Rivian in 2022, she would hold logistics roles at Lucid, and worked across logistics in different industries. She founded her own consultancy, AMP Supply Chain Consulting, providing expertise in global supply chain management and logistics strategy to customers in the automotive, transport and apparel industries.

Whilst consulting, Paulsen has been very active in working with OEMs to understand and transition their logistics to better handle electric vehicles, including infrastructure and charging requirements at plants, ports and distribution centres. At this year’s Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conference, Paulsen led an interactive workshop looking at the EV infrastructure and network charging capabilities. The workshop identified key supply chain links that need strengthening, addressed disparities in technical guidelines and logistics methodologies, and looked at what is required to keep the EV network flowing.

Paulsen has studied maritime and international law as well as business administration, with degrees from the University of Michigan, and an MBAs from Illinois State University. She spent the first years of her career working for the US Secret Service, as well as practicing law in a private practice. 

Trading talent in innovation, partnerships and EV

Paulsen’s appointment at GM is the latest in several executive logistics changes at the carmaker. Marcio Lucon, who moves from his role as executive director for global purchasing and supply chain (GPSC) for GM South America to lead logistics, has told Automotive Logistics that he is looking forward to bringing further innovation, and working to ensure that logistics is involved from “day zero” in the decision making for strategic decisions.

Paulsen will be among the senior leadership team for GM’s logistics, and one of three global directors reporting to Lucon. Last year, when Cristina Learman moved to head finished vehicle logistics at GM, Alexander Burnett took over her previous role as director of global inbound logistics. At the same time, Prashant Swadia took over as director of global logistics purchasing, replacing Juan Pablo Gonzalez.

Swadia also spoke at this year’s Finished Vehicle Logistics North America event, where he emphasised the importance of long-term partnerships and shared objectives. Both he, Learman and outgoing logistics head Wawrzysnski have worked to sign a series of longer-term contracts, including with railway providers in North America.

Learman has been with GM for nearly 20 years in roles across purchasing and supply chain, including in direct commodity sourcing, joining the global logistics organisation in 2021. In her new role in global program purchasing, she will have significant oversight of key supplier procurement and management for current and future models. 

Outside logistics, the carmaker has also been hiring executives with experience at EVs and startups. Earlier this year GM appointed Kurt Kelty to its new role of vice-president of batteries. Kelty, who was previously a battery expert and former Tesla executive, is responsible for GM’s battery cell strategy and a new end-to-end approach in EVs. This year it has also hired former Tesla and Google executive Jens Peter Clausen as its new head of global manufacturing and sustainability.