The Gartner Supply Chain Podcast

This episode explores:Maria Pia De Caro's approach to making her team “agility champions” that can rebuild and reimagine supply chain structures to support business goals. (1:32)Pernod Ricard's three pillars of supply chain productivity in today's evolving trade environment. (4:51)Balancing talent specialization and generalization across the supply chain. (11:14)Actionable advice for CSCOs navigating today's VUCA business environment. (16:38)Host Thomas O'Connor discusses Pernod Ricard's approach to supply chain productivity and agility with Maria Pia De Caro, the organization's EVP of integrated operations and sustainability and responsibility (S&R). They explore adjusting supply chain operations to deliver on business fundamentals like service, cost and cash, as well as how Pernod Ricard drives productivity in today's VUCA environment. They close the show with recommendations for CSCOs around boardroom communications that make the business stronger, more agile and faster in an environment where speed is crucial.Gartner clients interested in finding out more about this topic can access the following:Survive and Grow in This Volatile Tariff-Driven EconomyCSCOs Can Improve Their Influence With C-Suite StakeholdersAbout the Guest:Maria Pia De Caro is a seasoned leader in integrated operations and S&R, boasting over 25 years of global experience in supply chain and operations. Throughout her distinguished career, she has spearheaded multifaceted teams focused on engineering, manufacturing, M&A and supply chain innovation across renowned FMCG enterprises. Maria Pia's journey includes pivotal roles at Procter & Gamble, Mondelez, Unilever and Nomad Foods in diverse locations such as Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, China and the U.K., before bringing her expertise to Pernod Ricard Group in 2023.

This episode explores:An overview of the expectations gap between AI investments and the results chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) are seeing. (1:58)How CSCOs can set an effective, long-term vision for AI in their organizations. (3:22)Putting that vision into action to craft better AI investment strategies. (6:30)Implementing and scaling AI solutions across the supply chain. (10:34)Actionable advice for CSCOs implementing AI systems into their supply chains. (13:21)In this episode, host Tess Frenzel speaks with Gartner Senior Principal of Research Benjamin Jury about his research into generative AI's (GenAI's) impacts on the supply chain. They explore three critical junctures that supply chains tend to stumble over in their current approach to AI, and what CSCOs can do to resolve issues surrounding each one. Tess and Ben close the show with additional AI-centric recommendations for CSCOs implementing the technology into their supply chains over the coming year. Gartner clients interested in finding out more about this topic can access the following:Supply Chain Executive Report: Closing the AI Expectations-Reality GapAbout the GuestBenjamin Jury is a Gartner senior principal of research, leading research projects that address chief supply chain officers' key priorities. In addition to his executive report focused on maximizing the impact of AI in the supply chain, he is currently leading a research study on cost management. Before this role, Ben's research agenda centered on the mission-critical priorities of heads of R&D and their teams.

This episode explores:Expanding remits for supply chain leaders and the value they deliver. (1:17)How organizational structure underpins these new remits, and Ralph Lauren's philosophy on this structure. (5:08)Talent opportunities borne from expanded remits for supply chain talent and leadership. (8:35)Technology's role in expanding supply chain's remit. (11:44)Actionable advice for supply chain leaders of tomorrow. (16:33)Supply Chain Podcast host Thomas O'Connor discusses the evolving role supply chain leaders play in their businesses with Halide Alagöz, chief product and merchandising officer (including supply chain) for Ralph Lauren. They explore Halide's unique career path and role at Ralph Lauren offer insight into changing expectations and growth opportunities for supply chain leaders, as well as how Ralph Lauren's organizational approaches to talent and technology helped uncover them. Thomas and Halide close the show with recommendations for supply chain leaders of the future, and how they can use these lesions to evolve.Gartner clients interested in finding out more about this topic can access the following: Supply Chain Executive Report: Radically Rethinking ReorganizationExecutive FastStart™ for CSCOs: How to Build Relationships and Personal BrandAbout the GuestHalide Alagöz is the Chief Product and Merchandising Officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation. She is responsible for the end-to-end product life cycle as leader of the company's Polo, RRL and Lauren brand teams and the Brand Image and Purple Label Merchandising teams. Halide additionally drives innovation and execution – from development through sourcing – of all products across the Ralph Lauren portfolio.Prior to joining Ralph Lauren, Halide was with H&M Corporation for 18 years, most recently in Hong Kong as the Head of Purchasing. During her tenure with H&M, Halide was responsible for various regional and global supply chain operations in Hong Kong, China, Bangladesh, and in her native country, Turkey.Halide also serves on the board of directors of the American Apparel & Footwear Association since April 2018 and was confirmed as its vice chair for its 2024-2025 term in March 2024. Halide earned both her bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and her master's degree in engineering management from Istanbul Technical University.

This episode explores:Henkel's multiyear journey to merge two of its distinct consumer business units. (1:15)An overview of the strategic drivers behind Henkel's business transformation. (2:44)The critical role supply chain leadership plays in driving supply chain change management. (4:52)Concrete steps that Henkel took during its transformation journey, including real-world examples. (8:40)Recommendations for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) driving large-scale change management in their own organizations. (12:26)Host Thomas O'Connor discusses Henkel Consumer Brands' business transformation journey with Dr. Dirk Holbach, the organization's CSCO. The pair explore the drivers that motivated the transformation, such as Henkel's concept of “volume to value.” They provide insight into four broad steps that Henkel took as part of its transformation, and close the show with recommendations for CSCOs that find themselves driving similar transformations.Gartner clients interested in finding out more about this topic can access the following: Reorganize by Integrating and Differentiating Supply Chain ActivitiesSupply Chain Executive Report: Radically Rethinking ReorganizationAbout the GuestDr. Dirk Holbach has been leading the end-to-end (E2E) supply chain and operations for Henkel's Consumer Brands division since 2022, with net sales around €10.5 billion. He collaborates with approximately 10,000 associates in 36 factories and 88 logistics centers around the world. As one global team, Henkel not only delivers daily on the classic triangle “cost,” “cash” and “service,” but also drives a holistic transformation journey along multiple dimensions creating significant business impact. Henkel's aim is to continuously increase the value delivery, agility and resilience of its global supply chain with the ultimate goal to drive value growth and serve its consumers and customers at its best.This goal is supported by three strategic priorities:People and culture: Henkel puts its people at the center of everything it does. The pandemic has clearly underlined the value of strong individuals collaborating in empowered teams, and Henkel enables strong value creation and business performance via its significant investment into team effectiveness and individual leadership capabilities.Digitalization: Continuously accelerating digital transformation at Henkel started in 2013, with migration toward a fully connected, real-time and integrated digital ecosystem and toward an autonomous, self-driving and touchless supply chain. This work is supported by highly qualified associates and Henkel is the proud owner of four World Economic Forum (WEF) Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Digital LighthousesSustainability: Part of Dr. Holbach's personal agenda and part of the DNA at Henkel, the company drives sustainable progress leveraging digitalization (e.g., reducing its CO2 footprint by more than 70% since 2005), with 14 sites becoming fully climate-positive (electrical and thermal energy), making the company's entire mature region footprint carbon-neutral.When not at work, Dr. Holbach enjoys spending time with his family, or on a race or mountain bike. He has also been listed several times in the Top 28 Supply Chain Executives in Europe, being No. 1 in 2020.

This episode explores:An overview of this year's Power of the Profession award categories and the connecting themes that its submissions shared. (1:43)Notable differences in the content of this year's submissions. (4:09)Winners in each of the four categories. (5:15)Advice for innovating in organizations that are “just trying to keep the lights on.” (11:50)Host Lindsay Azim and Gartner VP analyst Maria Nieradka discuss this year's Power of the Profession Supply Chain Awards, including its winners, standout entrants and prevailing themes. They explore the supply chain industry's greater focus on people-centric investments this year, smaller organizations driving innovation and how manufacturing prevailed across topics and categories. Lindsay and Maria close the show with recommendations for supply chain leaders using innovation as a means to meet enterprise goals.About the GuestMaria Nieradka is a vice president, analyst in Gartner's supply chain practice, providing research insights, advice and thought leadership to life sciences clients. Her research coverage includes supply chain strategy, environmental, social and governance (ESG), risk management, mergers and acquisitions and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Based on previous experience as a chief supply chain officer, she provides expertise in end-to-end supply chain practices with deep knowledge in planning, procurement, manufacturing and distribution. Maria leads Gartner's Power of the Profession program. She served on Gartner Supply Chain's Executive Advisory Board through 2021.

This episode explores:Updates surrounding U.S. tariffs since February. (1:18)Four reasons the U.S. administration is leveraging tariffs and their implications for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs). (2:11)Key announcements that CSCOs should understand leading up to 1 April. (9:22)Other supply chain challenges on the horizon. (11:56)How supply chain organizations can best prepare for tariff volatility leading up to and after 1 April. (15:59)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Lindsay Azim discusses updates and new information around tariff implementation and supply chain uncertainty with Gartner Senior Director Analysts Brian Whitlock and Cori Masters. The three of them explore tariff volatility, what is to come for implementations and the changes to how supply chains can respond, as well as other items that will impact supply chain operations (like the SHIPS for America Act). Lindsay, Brian and Cori close the show with recommendations for how CSCOs can prepare their organization for potential disruption.About the GuestsBrian Whitlock is a senior director research analyst in Gartner's logistics and fulfillment team. He is responsible for advising logistics leaders and the C-suite in strategy design and execution, and for building capabilities that improve the performance of their logistics function. Brian is also the key initiative leader responsible for the research plan for logistics and fulfillment. Brian joined Gartner in 2020. He has over 30 years of experience leading global logistics, transportation and trade management organizations with expertise in strategy, operations, finance, procurement and supplier development and trade management.Cori Masters is a senior director and high-tech analyst in Gartner's supply chain practice, providing research insights, advice and thought leadership to high-tech, electronics, telecom and public procurement clients. With over 25 years of experience, she provides expert coverage, including supply chain strategy, sustainability, risk management/resiliency and vendor management. Based on previous experience as a senior commodity manager across multiple markets, she provides expertise in end-to-end supply chain practices with deep knowledge in vendor management, end-to-end supply chain strategy, manufacturing technology development and ramp and manufacturing sustainability.("For more on the new U.S. administration's federal policy changes, visit Gartner's Guide to New U.S. Federal Policies.")

This episode explores: Lenovo's strategic investments in future-proofing its supply chain operations. (1:26)How Lenovo delivers its supply chain strategy centered on “global reach with local excellence.” (2:47) Challenges that Lenovo faces in executing its supply chain strategy. (6:46)The role of digital transformation and AI in future-proofing Lenovo's supply chain. (13:09)Recommendations for CSCOs planning to future-proof their own supply chains. (15:19)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor discusses Lenovo's attempts to future-proof its operations with Che Min (Jammi) Tu, senior vice president and group operations officer at Lenovo. The pair explore the benefits and challenges associated with Lenovo's “global-local” approach to managing its supply chain's global footprint: They dive into how this strategy enables Lenovo to future-proof its operations, as well as how the organization's long-standing use of AI and other digital transformation tools contributes to this effort. Thomas and Jammi close the show with actionable advice for CSCOs embarking on similar efforts to future-proof their supply chains.Che Min (Jammi) Tu is Senior Vice President and Group Operations Officer of Lenovo, which consists of teams spanning Global Supply Chain, Digital Transformation, Total Experience, Sales Operations, and Strategic Alliances. This diverse organization serves a global group of internal and external stakeholders with the mission of driving Lenovo's operational excellence, the companywide digital transformation and harmonizing end-to-end business processes and tools across all Lenovo operations to deliver the best end-to-end customer experience. He is also a member of Lenovo's Executive Committee. Jammi joined Lenovo in 2012 as chief financial officer for the EMEA region. Most recently, he led the finance team as the CFO for the Personal Computing & Smart Devices (PCSD) Group, e-commerce, and Global Accounts organizations and was the chief operating officer of Lenovo's Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), playing a crucial role in leading that organization to record performance.   

This episode explores:How Gartner's Supply Chain Predicts functions as a framework for evaluating and addressing short-, medium- and long-term market implications. (1:06)An overview of the chief supply chain officer's (CSCO's) evolving role in driving profitable growth in the short term. (6:33)Potential workforce evolutions that AI investments could drive in the midterm. (9:45)Factors influencing enterprises' ability to meet their interim goals for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the long term. (13:32)Recommendations on how CSCOs can use Gartner's Supply Chain Predicts as a foundation for future-proofing their supply chains. (17:24)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Lindsay Azim and Gartner VP Analyst Simon Bailey discuss Gartner's 2025 Predicts for Supply Chain Strategy. They use the research as a foundation to explore expectations that CSCOs will drive profitable growth in the short term, AI's evolving role in supply chain talent management in the medium term and enterprise progress on GHG emissions in the long term. Lindsay and Simon close the show with recommendations for how CSCOs can use the Predicts 2025 research as a baseline for future-proofing their supply chains.About the GuestSimon Bailey is a VP analyst in Gartner's CSCO enablement team, supporting CSCO's strategy development in areas, including customer centricity and ecosystem orchestration. He is also the lead author for Predicts 2025: Supply Chain Strategy — Growth, People and AI, and Commitments, Focus Supply Chain on Reducing Customer Effort to Boost Profitable Growth and Supply Chain Top 25: 2025 Methodology Changes and Invitation for Input for 2026.

This episode explores:Johnson & Johnson's (J&J's) approach to growing geopolitical complexity. (1:11)Key capabilities that enable J&J to work through these compounding challenges. (3:54)Real-world examples of programs and capabilities J&J pursues to increase supply chain resilience. (7:23)J&J's responses to global shifts in the regulatory and legal environment surrounding supply chains. (11:34)Recommendations for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) leading in this turbulent geopolitical environment. (16:02)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor discusses risk management and resilience with Kathy Wengel, executive vice president, chief technical operations and risk officer for Johnson & Johnson. Thomas and Kathy explore J&J's pursuit of resilience in the face of today's turbulent geopolitical climate, including some of its specific strategies and real-world examples of its evolving capabilities. The pair close the show with actionable guidance for CSCOs.About the GuestKathryn E. Wengel (Kathy) is executive vice president, chief technical operations and risk officer for Johnson & Johnson, as well as a member of its Executive Committee. She has significant healthcare, operations and global business expertise – with more than three decades of experience in leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson. In her current role, Kathy leads key technical operations functions like engineering and property services, the office of sustainability and cross-sector supply chain teams, and critical risk functions like quality and compliance and healthcare compliance. Kathy also plays an important role with external stakeholders to advance critical risk management, resilience and technical operations priorities on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and the healthcare industry.

This episode explores:Chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) and supply chain leaders' initial reactions to new U.S. tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them. (1:54)Direct or indirect implications of the executive orders that supply chain leaders must account for. (3:22)Differences and similarities in trade volatility between the prior Trump administration and the current Trump administration. (6:14)How supply chains can respond to these tariffs, and what some organizations are already doing. (8:13)Some of the factors influencing current approaches to scenario planning for the Trump administration tariffs. (12:30)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor speaks with Gartner analysts Brian Whitlock and Suzie Petrusic about how the new U.S. administration's tariffs stand to affect supply chain operations. In the show's first half, Brian explores some of these tariffs' particular details and their effects on potential mitigations. In the second half, Suzie expands on these mitigation strategies across the short and long term, as well as the influences behind them.If you wish to learn more about Gartner supply chain's research tied to the topic of tariff volatility Gartner clients can access "Use Tariff Volatility to Drive Competitive Advantage" while non-Gartner clients can access "Navigating Tariff Uncertainty: Pathways for CSCOs".About the GuestsBrian Whitlock is a senior director research analyst in Gartner's Logistics and Fulfillment team. He is responsible for advising logistics leaders and the C-suite in strategy design and execution, and for building capabilities that improve the performance of their logistics function. Brian is also the key initiative leader responsible for the research plan for Logistics and Fulfillment. Brian joined Gartner in 2020. He has over 30 years of experience leading global logistics, transportation and trade management organizations with expertise in strategy, operations, finance, procurement and supplier development and trade management.Suzie Petrusic, Ph.D., is the Gartner senior director analyst serving chief supply chain officers in all the areas of supply chain related to strategy leadership and execution. She has authored and co-authored research and case studies on topics such as risk, supply chain maturity, the future of the supply chain, customer enablement, supply chain constraints and inflation and recession. Suzie also leads Gartner's research agenda for chief supply chain officers.

This episode explores:Drivers that made this year's Future of Supply Chain Report different. (1:04)Capabilities CSCOs are pursuing to prepare for the future. (3:24)The multiple pathways to success that organizations can take. (7:07)How CSCOs can choose the best pathway for their organization. (15:16)Advice for CSCOs preparing their supply chains for the future. (16:31)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Lindsay Azim sits down with Pierfrancesco (Pier) Manenti, Gartner research vice president for supply chain strategy, to discuss Gartner's yearly Future of Supply Chain Executive Report. As lead author of the report, Pier discusses how this year's report — Supply Chain Executive Report: Future of Supply Chain 2025 — focuses on the capabilities chief supply chain officers can pursue to meet the future it outlines. Lindsay and Pier explore the various pathways organizations can take to build these capabilities before closing the show with recommendations for CSCOs pursuing those pathways.About the GuestPierfrancesco (Pier) Manenti is research vice president for the Gartner supply chain strategy team. Pier provides insights and advisory support to chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) and heads of strategy of global manufacturing and retail corporations, especially with regards to future trends and key challenges affecting end-to-end supply chain strategy. He focuses on strategic transformation, digitalization, agility and design for profitability.

This episode explores:Kraft Heinz's use of operational excellence programs to perfect their manual processes before adding digital tools. (1:06)How Kraft Heinz executives engage in servant leadership to remove roadblocks on digital project roadmaps. (5:00)Kraft Heinz's future goals for a self-driving, end-to-end supply chain. (7:13)Standout use cases for generative AI at Kraft Heinz. (10:25)Recommendations for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) driving digital transformations in their own organizations. (14:06).In this episode of Gartner's Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor speaks with Senior Vice President and Head of North America Operations at the Kraft Heinz Company, Helen Davis, about the digital transformation efforts Kraft Heinz is undertaking for its supply chain. They discuss Kraft Heinz's commitment to creating strong foundations in manual processes, including the tools it uses to capture and maintain employee and executive buy-in. Thomas and Helen then explore Kraft Heinz's vision for an autonomous supply chain, and then close the show with recommendations for CSCOs that want to undertake similar journeys.About the GuestHelen Davis has over 27 years of global supply chain experience, successfully transforming supply chains in several countries and in a variety of different industries. She is currently Senior Vice President and Head of North America Operations at the Kraft Heinz Company. Helen has also held senior supply chain roles at Unilever, Estée Lauder, Reckitt Benckiser and Coca-Cola, where she led the transformation to the “Factory of the Future” and spearheaded the “Touchless Supply Chain” concept through use of decision intelligence. 

This episode explores:“Decision shapers,” supply chain planning leaders that leverage three personas to guide supply chain planning leaders' decision making through informed, data-driven recommendations. (1:22)The skills decision shapers leverage as part of the “codebreaker” persona to analyze and capitalize on key data points. (4:25)How the “alchemist” persona, a combination of business acumen, adaptability and AI readiness that decision shapers use to turn data into intelligent insights. (7:56)Ways the “storyteller” persona packages data and insights to meet audiences where they're at with  language that resonates with them. (13:42)Essential recommendations for supply chain leaders that want to become decision shapers in their own organizations. (19:35)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Lindsay Azim discusses the impact “decision shapers” have on supply chain planning (SCP) with guest Noha Samara, a Gartner senior director analyst. The pair explore their shared research into the current state of SCP, and how SCP leaders can evolve their approach to it through data analysis, intelligent insights and robust communication. They close the show with recommendations for SCP leaders that want to affect similar changes in their own org.About the Guest:Gartner Senior Director Analyst Noha Samara covers several areas of supply chain planning. She has authored and coauthored numerous research on supply chain planning processes' evolution, supply chain planning organization design and talent, and supply chain planning transformations. She joined Gartner in 2020 after a long career at several multinational organizations such as Procter & Gamble and Microsoft where she was leading different supply chain teams. Noha has been leading the supply chain planning track agenda at Gartner Symposium for the past couple of years and currently chairs the upcoming Supply Chain Planning Summits in 2025 and 2026.

This episode explores:Supply chain's role in navigating volatility associated with digital technology, changing customer needs and sustainability. (1:12)How Unilever redesigned its supply chain by fusing it with IT and enterprise services to drive change and address volatility. (5:10)Three real-world Unilever programs that leverage this fusion to build competitive advantage and business growth. (9:14)Practical recommendations for CSCOs who want to undertake similar redesigns in their own supply chains. (15:34)Host Thomas O'Connor explores the ins and outs of Unilever's supply chain redesign with Reginaldo Ecclissato, Unilever's Chief Business Operations and Supply Chain Officer. Reggie's dual title speaks to Unilever's new approach to its supply chain: transforming supply chain operations into a source of competitive advantage and business growth by combining it with IT and global business services. Thomas and Reggie discuss the key tenets at this redesign's heart, including an accelerated digitalization effort and a talent-first outlook. The pair close the show with recommendations for CSCOs who want to pursue similar redesigns in their own supply chains.Editorial note: Since the recording of this podcast, Reginaldo Ecclissato has been appointed to the role of president for One Unilever Markets.About the Guest:Reginaldo Ecclissato has been appointed to the role of president for One Unilever Markets. At the time of recording for the December 2024 Supply Chain Podcast, Reginaldo's role was Chief Business Operations and Supply Chain Officer. He became a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive in January 2022. Reginaldo has a rich history at Unilever spanning more than 30 years with extensive supply chain experience in both developed and emerging markets.

This episode explores: The critical role that transparent, collaboration-focused culture plays in supply chain success at Zoetis. (1:04)How Zoetis empowers supply chain talent to trust in and engage with this culture. (4:08)Qualitative and quantitative business impacts that empowered supply chain talent has made at Zoetis. (8:34)Why providing their staff with access to good data enabled a cultural shift. (15:12)Recommendations for CSCOs seeking to drive business impacts through their supply chain's culture. (19:18)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor discusses how culture can drive supply chain value with Nick Ashton, Executive Vice President and President, Global Manufacturing and Supply at Zoetis. The pair explore how Zoetis shifted its culture by providing greater access to data and empowering employees with greater decision making. As the organization shifted towards greater transparency and collaboration, measurable business impacts followed. Thomas and Nick close the show with recommendations for CSCOs who want to effect similar transformations in their own organizations.About the GuestNick Ashton is Executive Vice President and President, Global Manufacturing and Supply at Zoetis, the world's leading animal health company and a member of the Fortune 500. In this role, he oversees the company's network of approximately 29 Zoetis manufacturing sites and 200 third-party manufacturers around the world. Nick joined Zoetis in 2020 as head of Global External Supply, where he led all aspects of the company's global external manufacturing network, overseeing 140 contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) to keep pace with customer demand.  

This episode explores:Generative AI's expected impacts on headcount when GenAI exploded into mainstream news in 2022 (1:32).How GenAI's impacts on productivity and time savings vary between desk-based and frontline employees (4:54).Measuring whether GenAI “lived up to the hype” in light of research results (11:31).What leaders are doing to resolve GenAI's “productivity paradox” (12:38).Recommendations for CSCOs driving GenAI projects (15:24).In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Tess Frenzel and guest Sam Berndt, a Gartner senior director of research, discuss generative AI's (GenAI's) variable impacts on supply chain employee productivity in both desk-based and frontline roles. Tess and Sam frame the discussion with findings from Gartner's Supply Chain Executive Report: The GenAI Productivity Paradox to provide details on key differentiators like individual- and team-based time savings, work quality improvements and employee comfort levels. About the GuestSam Berndt is a Gartner Senior Research Director leading long-form studies on chief supply chain officers and their key priorities. He has led studies on risk and supplier due diligence, talent and skill gap myths, last-mile delivery customer preferences, and the impact of generative AI on supply chain employee productivity. Before Gartner, Sam studied the economic impacts of large regulations.

This episode explores:The CSCO Community Outlook Survey's focus on community sentiment, and how that sentiment manifested in 2024. (1:17)Trends that may have contributed to the survey's findings. (3:41)CSCOs' short-term, midterm, and long-term focuses in 2025. (5:01)Survey reports on generative AI's potential outlook in 2025. (8:06)Recommendations for CSCOs in the coming year. (11:45)On this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Tess Frenzel discusses CSCO priorities for 2025 with Wade McDaniel, a Vice President Distinguished Advisor at Gartner. They draw insights from Gartner's 2024 CSCO Community Outlook Poll to discuss how CSCOs are feeling as they move into 2025, including their specific goals in the short term, midterm and long term, and the outlook on generative AI. Tess and Wade explore the nuances of these findings, including the trends that may have shaped them, then close the show with actionable recommendations for CSCOs in 2025.About the GuestWade McDaniel is a Gartner Vice President Distinguished Advisor supporting the global CSCO community through events and curated research insights. He brings more than 30 years of supply chain experience to the role.

This episode explores:Strategic misalignment and the impact on the efficacy of traditional supply chain tools. (2:58)The status quo contributes to strategic misalignment for the majority of surveyed supply chain organizations. (4:56)How CSCOs can address the short-term issues at the root of strategic misalignment. (6:59)The counterintuitive organizational design that helps CSCOs create strategic alignment. (11:31)Recommendations for CSCOs to maintain their newly secured strategic alignment. (15:14)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Lindsay Azim sits down with Gartner Senior Director Analyst Suzie Petrusic to discuss the myriad impacts strategic misalignment has on supply chains. They explore the damage strategic misalignment inflicts on profit margins and supply chain capacity, as well as how CSCOs can approach the issue through counterintuitive organizational design.About the GuestSuzie Petrusic, Ph.D., is the Gartner Senior Director Analyst serving chief supply chain officers in all the areas of supply chain related to strategy leadership and execution. She has authored and co-authored research and case studies on topics such as risk, supply chain maturity, the future of the supply chain, customer enablement, inflation and recession, and supply chain constraints. Suzie also leads Gartner's research agenda for chief supply chain officers.Learn more about Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit 2024, the premier destination for supply chain planning leaders.Visit Gartner.com to learn more about Gartner for Supply Chain.

 This episode explores:The reason why 90% of supply chain professionals are currently in the midst of reorganization or are planning one in the near future. (1:16)How to design your supply chain for balance. (6:49)How to organize for strength. (10:06)How to design for speed. (13:19)Whether it is realistic to aim for designing for all three: balance, strength and speed. (15:39)Host Lindsay Azim sits down with guest Alan O'Keeffe of Gartner to discuss his latest Supply Chain Executive Report, which examines how supply chain leaders can radically rethink reorganizing their operations. With 90% of supply chain professionals currently in the midst of reorganization, or planning one in the near future, it's important that they follow the right approach. Put another way, supply chain leaders should reorganize to achieve balance, speed and strength.About the Guest:Alan O'Keeffe is a Senior Research Director in Gartner's Organizational Development team whose research covers global supply chain organization design, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and organizational solutions, such as shared services and centers of excellence. Using in-depth cross-industry research and insight into trends, he provides advice to supply chain leaders on how best to engage people and organizations to address the growing complexity of 21st century supply chains. Alan has more than 20 years of supply chain experience, with six years in head-of-function roles in logistics, customs and physical supply chain, and four years in supply chain consultancy specializing in strategic network optimization. These roles have covered a range of sectors, including technology, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and mining, at global, regional and national scopes.

This episode explores:What it takes to lead a supply chain organization in 2024, and how Dow CSCO Nestor de Mattos's background helps him do so. (1:08)How CSCOs can help their teams adapt to changing realities around risk and driving business value. (5:08)The impact that evolving talent profiles have on hiring net-new supply chain employees. (7:40)Potential opportunities for CSCOs to hire from new talent pools in the wake of a slowing economy and a softening job market. (10:04)Recommendations for CSCOs to effectively lead their organizations in the face of challenging economic conditions. (12:02)Supply Chain Podcast Host Thomas O'Connor sits down with guest Nestor de Mattos, Corporate Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer of Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) for Dow. The pair leverage Nestor's non-traditional career background as a lens to discuss best practices for CSCOs leading organizations through challenging times. Topics include leveraging new or unexpected talent pools and profiles, driving upskilling throughout the supply chain and the opportunities that challenging economic conditions can provide. Nestor de Mattos is Corporate Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer of Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) for Dow. He oversees the global end-to-end supply chain, including (but not limited to): planning and scheduling, international trade, sustainability, systems solutions and innovation to advance Dow's strategic growth. He also co-chairs a team of executive leaders responsible for setting the strategic direction and implementing digital and end-to-end transformation for Dow. In his role, Nestor is responsible for driving an integrated end-to-end customer fulfillment experience across more than 150 countries to more than 35,000 delivery locations, all in coordination with more than 1,800 logistics service providers. Integrated Supply Chain supports Dow's market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of advanced materials, industrial intermediates and plastics businesses. Together, these functions deliver a broad range of differentiated technology-based products and solutions for customers in high-growth markets that include packaging, infrastructure, and consumer care.

Suzie Petrusic, Ph.D., is the Gartner Senior Director Analyst serving chief supply chain officers in all the areas of supply chain related to strategy leadership and execution. She has authored and co-authored research and case studies on topics such as risk, supply chain maturity, the future of the supply chain, customer enablement, inflation and recession, and supply chain constraints. She also leads Gartner's research agenda for chief supply chain officers.Learn more about Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit 2024, the premier destination for supply chain planning leaders.Visit Gartner.com to learn more about Gartner for Supply Chain.

This episode explores:Generative AI's (genAI's) impacts from Google's viewpoint. (1:12)How Google's products and services, especially its supply chain operations, are evolving with genAI's influence. (4:46)Key aspects of a strong supply chain organization foundation for genAI. (8:44)Supply chain talent management and upskilling for genAI. (11:10)Recommendations for supply chain leaders to better leverage gen AI in their organizations. (15:07)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor and guest Ana Corrales, COO of Google's Devices & Services business, discuss Google's approach to generative AI (genAI) implementation across their various products and services. The discussion also explores how supply chain leaders can develop foundational capabilities like sourcing clean data and upskilling supply chain talent. Ana Corrales is the Chief Operating Officer for Google's Devices & Services business. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Google hardware products —  Pixel phones with Google's custom silicon, Google Tensor, Pixel Buds, Nest thermostats, speakers, displays and cameras, Fitbit smartwatches and trackers and more — and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. Ana also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Devices and Services business. Ana previously led Google Devices and Services' first party channel growth with the Google Store e-commerce site and the first-ever retail store. Ana holds several leadership positions across Google. She is a member of the Women@Google board and is an executive sponsor for HOLA, Google's Latinx Employee Resource Group. She also sits on Google's Advanced Technology Review Council (ATRC) for AI Principles-related topics, and on the Trust & Compliance Steering Committee.Visit Gartner.com to learn more about Gartner for Supply Chain.

This episode explores:How the Top 25 and the supply chains it ranks have evolved over the past two decades. (1:10)The common themes and context among organizations that stood out this year. (3:38)Surprises and standouts among company rankings. (7:50)How the Top 25 leaders are incorporating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) into their operations. (12:50)Recommendations for supply chain leaders based on practices from the Top 25 organizations. (14:07)In this episode of the Gartner Supply Chain Podcast, hosts Thomas O'Connor and Lindsay Azim speak with Simon Bailey, Gartner VP Analyst and Top 25 Program Lead Author, on how both the program and supply chains have evolved in the last 20 years. Simon provides insight into this year's rankings, macro trends, and specific examples of how organizations emerge as leaders across talent, sustainability, digitalization and risk and resilience. Simon also provides several recommendations for supply chain leaders seeking to drive value using transferable lessons from this year's masters and supply chain leaders.Simon Bailey is a VP analyst in Gartner's CSCO enablement team, supporting CSCO's strategy development in areas including customer centricity, ecosystem orchestration and sustainability. He is also the lead author for Gartner's Top 25 program and recent published work includes The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2024: Insights on Leaders, The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2024: Methodology and The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2024: Rankings. He has also lead the Supply Chain Strategy Predicts process for several years and recently published Predicts 2024: Reshape Supply Chain Strategy to Outpace Disruption, and Use Ecosystem Partnerships to Achieve Sustainability Goals and collaborated on A Three-Step Approach for Driving Growth via the Supply Chain.Visit Gartner.com to learn more about Gartner for Supply Chain.

This episode explores:How, despite geopolitical instability, CSCOs can meet growing performance expectations by increasing their supply chain's flexibility in key areas. (1:20)Definitions and applications of terminology associated with this process, such as “trust boundaries” and “supply chain elasticity.” (5:10)Concerns of increased complexity associated with supply chain elasticity. (8:30)Methods to assess geopolitical risks' potential impacts on a supply chain. (13:18)Recommendations for CSCOs seeking to increase their supply chain's elasticity. (16:35)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Lindsay Azim and guest Pierfrancesco (Pier) Manenti, research vice president for the Gartner supply chain strategy team, discuss findings from Supply Chain Executive Report: Empowering Growth Through Geopolitically Elastic Supply Chains.As countries cloister their markets in response to various geopolitical tensions, accessing a global marketplace is becoming harder for CSCOs. Lindsay and Pier explore how “supply chain elasticity,” a concept explored in the Executive Report, can help CSCOs alleviate these market access issues while driving growth. The discussion includes key definitions and actions, success stories from organizations already applying these principles and recommendations for CSCOs to improve elasticity within their own supply chains.Pierfrancesco (Pier) Manenti is research vice president for the Gartner supply chain strategy team. Pier provides insights and advisory support to chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) and heads of strategy of global manufacturing and retail corporations, especially with regards to future trends and key challenges affecting end-to-end supply chain strategy. He focuses on strategic transformation, digitalization, agility and design for profitability.Visit Gartner.com to learn more about Gartner for Supply Chain.

Episode highlights:What's different about today's volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) environment? (1:16)Geopolitical and climate change concerns for CSCOs. (3:04)The intersection of genAI and supply chains. (6:30)Sustainability, energy, and the impact on supply chains. (10:45)In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor sits down with new co-host Tess Frenzel and guest Stan Aronow, a Gartner Vice President Distinguished Advisor. The three of them dive into the volatile and uncertain factors affecting CSCOs, such as generative AI and sustainability concerns, with Stan providing direct insights on these topics from topics from across the Gartner Global Chief Supply Chain Officer community.Read Stan Aronow's latest Beyond Supply Chain Blog post: Uncertainty-Proofing Your Supply ChainStan Aronow is a Gartner Vice President Distinguished Advisor supporting the global COO/CSCO community through events and curated research insights. He also chairs Gartner's Supply Chain Executive Advisory Board. Before this role, Stan managed Gartner's global Supply Chain Top 25 leadership research portfolio for several years.Visit Gartner.com to learn more about Gartner for Supply Chain.

This episode explores:Results and methodology of the 2024 Gartner CEO Survey. (1:03)Surprises from this year's study, including changing trends. (3:47)How CSCOs should adjust their strategies to align with changing CEO priorities. (6:42)A deep dive into technology adoption rates, including real-world examples. (10:04)Three recommendations CSCOs can implement to work alongside their CEOs better. (16:44)In this episode of the Gartner Supply Chain Podcast, new host Lindsay Azim and guest Ken Chadwick, Gartner Distinguished Vice President Analyst, discuss results for the 2024 Gartner CEO Survey and how they impact CSCOs building out their strategic roadmaps. Ken dives into how these impacts manifest in tensions between current and future strategic priorities, economic conditions, energy supply, artificial intelligence, talent and much more. Lindsay and Ken close the show with several recommendations for how CSCOs can better work with CEOs and align to their top priorities.Ken Chadwick is a Gartner research distinguished vice president covering global supply chain organization design, governance, talent development, change management and organization behavior. Using in-depth cross-industry research and insight into trends, Ken provides advice to supply chain leaders on how best to engage people and organizations to address the growing complexity of 21st century supply chains.Visit Gartner.com to learn more about Gartner for Supply Chain.

This episode explores:The fundamentals of strategic decision making for AstraZeneca. (1:16)How AstraZeneca adapts its supply chain to drive both cost optimization and business growth. (4:20)Timing investments in new assets and their associated capabilities. (11:09)Methods to encourage talent to join change management journeys. (13:50)Recommendations for supply chain leaders working to understand their organization's unique underpinnings for decision making. (16:30)Host Thomas O'Connor and guest Matt Winterman, AstraZeneca's senior vice president of global supply chain and strategy, discuss AstraZeneca's approach to strategic decision making in regards to resilience. They explore AstraZeneca's focus on supply chain design as a vehicle for growth and cost optimization, as well as the trigger points that underpin their decision-making processes. They close the show with three recommendations for supply chain leaders to apply similar principles to their own organizations.Matthew Winterman joined AstraZeneca in 2023 and is the senior vice president of global supply chain and strategy, with overall responsibility for the development and execution of the end-to-end supply chain platform and product supply strategies. In addition, he is responsible for ensuring the strategic development of network designs and supply chain capabilities supporting AstraZeneca's global operational network. He reports into the EVP of operations and IT and chief sustainability officer and serves as a member of the global operations senior leadership team. 

This episode explores:The new reality of constant change and disruption for supply chain organizations, alongside its four main drivers. (1:44)Geopolitical disruption and its implications for supply chain organizations. (3:23)Climate change's evolving influence on supply chain operations. (5:52)Technology's rapid advancement, and how supply chain organizations can keep pace. (8:36)Generational shifts in employee attitudes towards their workplace and employers. (11:29)Host Thomas O'Connor and guest Sami Naffakh, CSCO at Reckitt, explore the myriad forms supply chain disruption takes in today's highly volatile landscape. They broadly discuss the four main drivers behind this volatility, as well as individualized responses supply chain leaders can employ. Thomas and Sami close the show with Sami's personal recommendations for supply chain leaders who are combating disruption.

This episode explores:The wide array of constraints currently impacting supply chain organizations. (1:17)Securing a long-term mandate for investment by resolving short-term issues for the wider organization. (4:18)Next steps for CSCOs who have secured their mandate for investment. (7:38)Internal challenges to combating constraints, such as skepticism and gaps in capability or knowledge. (10:16)Recommendations for CSCOs to overcome constraints. (15:06)Supply Chain Podcast host Thomas O'Connor and Gartner senior director analyst Laura Rainier discuss how supply chain leaders can combat increasing constraints to resources through the lens of Laura's Supply Chain Executive Report: Thrive in a Resource-Constrained World. They explore how CSCOs can resolve short-term issues to secure investments and confidence in long-term initiatives for overcoming increasing constraints.

This episode explores:The digital elements driving General Mills' supply chain transformation (2:39)General Mills' technology solutions that link master, operational and transactional data (7:28)Human aspects of General Mills' transformation: DEI, and initiatives to grow employee skill sets and community (13:47)Recommendations for supply chain leaders driving their own supply chain transformation (16:52)Host Thomas O'Connor and General Mills Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) Paul Gallagher discuss the digital, functional and human elements of General Mills' supply chain transformation. They explore the areas in which the complexity of General Mills' supply chain breeds opportunity for growth in resilience, cost optimization and more. Thomas and Paul close the show with recommendations for supply chain leaders driving their own transformation initiatives.

This episode explores:The increasing scale of disruptions, and how an ecosystem approach is critical to ensuring continuity. (2:39)Intel's top focus areas for ecosystem value. (6:58)Intel's strategy for enabling and building relationships to drive ecosystem value. (12:26)Recommendations for supply chain leaders to drive value from their own ecosystems. (17:08)In this episode of the Gartner Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor and guest Jackie Sturm, corporate vice president of global supply chain operations at Intel, discuss Intel's approach driving resilience through supply chain ecosystems. Jackie provides insight into Intel's ecosystem priorities, and how Intel partners with its ecosystem members to achieve them. Thomas and Jackie close the show with several recommendations for supply chain leaders seeking to drive value within their own ecosystem, regardless of their size or place in it.

Host Thomas O'Connor and guest Ryan Polk, a Gartner senior research director, explore the concept of demystifying supply chain transformations through “designed simplicity.” They outline the benefits of removing layers of complexity and ambiguity from transformation processes to help staff better cope with today's unparalleled rate of change, and highlight successful examples from Cargill and Bayer. The pair close the show with actionable recommendations for supply chain leaders who want to implement this approach in their own organizations, and the benefits for doing so.This episode explores:Definitions for “designed simplicity.” (1:08)How the increased rate of change pushes organizations toward this approach. (3:36)Where to begin implementing designed simplicity. (5:31)Tangible, real-world examples from Bayer and Cargill. (9:05)Actionable guidance for supply chain leaders pursuing designed simplicity in their own organizations. (14:01)Host Thomas O'Connor and guest Ryan Polk, a Gartner senior research director, explore the concept of demystifying supply chain transformations through “designed simplicity.” They outline the benefits of removing layers of complexity and ambiguity from transformation processes to help staff better cope with today's unparalleled rate of change, and highlight successful examples from Cargill and Bayer. The pair close the show with actionable recommendations for supply chain leaders who want to implement this approach in their own organizations, and the benefits for doing so.

This episode explores:The current state of innovation in supply chain (1:08)Examples from leaders in the 2024 Power of the Profession Awards (3:46)Hype around generative AI shifting toward reality (6:34)Recommendations for supply chain leaders driving business value through their innovation efforts (11:54)Host Thomas O'Connor and guest Maria Nieradka, a Gartner vice president analyst for supply chain, discuss this year's growing innovations in supply chain through the lens of Gartner's 2024 Power of the Profession awards. They dive into the thriving world of innovation within supply chain through standout submissions from Dell, Danone and General Mills. They also touch on generative AI's heavy impact on the year's innovations across all spaces, not just technology.Thomas and Maria close the show with recommendations for supply chain leaders who want to drive business value through their innovation efforts.

This episode explores:How an organization of L'Oréal's scale stays sufficiently agile to meet customer needs. (2:52)L'Oréal's view on e-commerce operations and their evolution. (6:23)Handling volatility across plan, source, make and deliver capabilities and the wider ecosystem. (10:59)Building products as “experiences” through additional services. (14:51)Recommendations to help supply chain leaders keep pace with and adapt to customer needs. (18:42)Host Thomas O'Connor and guest Damien Decouvelaere, global CSCO at L'Oréal, explore L'Oréal's approach to profitably adapting to customer expectations despite significant volatility. Damien walks listeners through the five major trends impacting L'Oréal's supply chain, most of which stem from evolving customer preferences. Thomas and Damien also discuss L'Oréal's strategy for diversifying customer experience across distinct markets, especially through customization and e-commerce tools. The pair close the show with three recommendations for supply chain leaders to adapt their operations to customer expectations.

This episode explores:The “intangible” items supply chain leaders must manage, and why it's been difficult to extract value from them. (3:08)Human economics, and what elements of “people productivity” supply chain leaders should focus on. (7:24)What's missing from investments in digital economic value. (11:55)How supply chain leaders can enhance output from their resources. (14:54)Which of the three economic elements supply chain leaders should focus on first. (18:30)Host Caroline Chumakov and Gartner research vice president Ken Chadwick explore how supply chain leaders can extract value from “intangible”, off-book items like data and human knowledge. As presented in Executive Report: The Future of Supply Chain 2024, Ken broadly categorizes these intangibles into three “economics”: human, digital and resource. Caroline and Ken discuss what supply chain leaders should do to improve output and productivity from these three economics, including which one should be prioritized first.

Host Thomas O'Connor and Gartner VP Analyst Dwight Klappich dive into Dwight's Predicts 2024: Supply Chain Technology, a set of five predictions for growth and change in supply chain technology between 2026 and 2028. Thomas and Dwight explore the value these predictions hold, the research that drives them and the broad challenges they address, particularly in regards to workforce and talent management. They take close looks at two key predictions surrounding smart robots and employee engagement tools, respectively, then close the show with a review of past predictions in supply chain technology.Dwight Klappich has been with Gartner for 21 years and has over 40 years of experience in supply chain management applications and technologies, having served in various commercial and leadership roles at technology vendors in this market. Dwight focuses on warehousing and fulfillment technologies plus logistics automation processes, best practices, applications and emerging technologies, such as robotics.This episode explores:The value of Predicts 2024: Supply Chain Technology. (1:13)How Predicts 2024: Supply Chain Technology addresses broad challenges like geopolitical uncertainty, talent strain and improved customer outcomes. (2:39)A deep dive into the prediction that smart robots will outnumber frontline workers in manufacturing, retail and logistics by 2028. (9:04)Why 40% of large warehouse operations will deploy employee engagement tools by 2028. (13:09)A review of both accurate and inaccurate past predictions. (19:23)

his episode explores:Why organization design has become so important to chief supply chain officers (CSCOs). (1:15)Reasons for the recommended shift away from centralization and decentralization. (2:35)Examples of integration in real supply chains. (4:29)An overview of the six supply chain “archetypes” — that is, distinct ways supply chains organize themselves through integration and differentiation. (7:53)Recommendations for redesigning supply chain organizations. (15:28)Host Caroline Chumakov and Gartner Senior Research Director Alan O'Keeffe dive into supply chain organization redesign through the lens of integration and differentiation. They discuss six supply chain “archetypes,” frameworks that supply chain leaders can use to cleanly evaluate their enterprise's reporting lines, leadership, scope of work and more, as they design fit-for-purpose supply chains. Caroline and Alan also explore pitfalls prevalent in traditional “centralization versus decentralization” supply chain organization design, specifically its polarized, all-or-nothing approach. Finally, they close the show with recommendations for supply chain leaders pursuing supply chain organization design by offering the six archetypes as a starting point. 

In this episode, host Thomas O'Connor and guest Ewan Andrew, President & Chief Sustainability Officer at Diageo, explore Diageo's approach to sustainability initiatives and the related strategies and trade-offs. They explore Diageo's simultaneous commitments to stakeholder expectations and driving business growth through real-world examples of successful circular supply chain initiatives, as well as strategic pivots when difficulties arise.Thomas and Ewan close the show with recommendations to help supply chain leaders drive relevant productivity increases that support sustainability initiatives aligned to their organization's wider goals.Drivers for Diageo's sustainability initiatives. (2:09)Diageo's approach to strategic investments that balance sustainability trade-offs. (5:35)Real-world examples of Diageo's sustainability strategies in action. (8:45)Real-world examples of Diageo's strategic pivots when plans didn't go as expected. (18:44)Recommendations for supply chain leaders tackling sustainability through their supply chains. (21:02)Ewan Andrew's career with Diageo spans over 25 years, but he has been President of its Global Supply Chain & Procurement since September 2019. Within this role, he leads a team that ensures Diageo's complex and modern supply chain operations work to the highest standards delivering a range of premium drinks for consumers.  Ewan also is Chief Sustainability Officer. Diageo has ambitious commitments through its 10-year environmental, social and governance (ESG) action plan, which will help create a more inclusive and sustainable world. An integral part of this plan is pioneering grain-to-glass sustainability focused on three areas: preserving water for life, accelerating to a low-carbon world and becoming sustainable by design.

This episode explores: Why aren't supply chain leaders seeing the value they expect from digital trade-off analysis technology? (4:45)Creating returns on digital trade-off analysis investments by closing the “digital to reality gap” through localized, cross-functional decision makers. (07:03) Who are localized, cross-functional decision makers? What roles do they hold? (10:06)How does decision making change going forward? How do chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) know what choices to send down to localized decision makers? (11:34)Three steps toward reaping the decision-making benefits localized leaders can provide. (20:40)Host Caroline Chumakov and Gartner Research Director Suzie Petrusic discuss how digital trade-off analysis technology is not providing the expected benefits, and how supply chain leaders should respond. As discussed in Suzie's research Leverage Human Visibility and Digital Analytics for Better Decision Making, global, end-to-end (E2E) decision makers rely on digital technology and data-derived models to make better decisions. However, poor process adherence and incomplete process digitization mean these technologies and data models provide crystal-clear insight that is fundamentally flawed and inaccurate. Therefore, Suzie and her research recommend leveraging the human visibility from localized, cross-functional leaders to improve decision making. Caroline and Suzie discuss the reasoning and data behind these findings, as well as recommendations for supply chain leaders looking to employ them.Suzie Petrusic, Ph.D., is the Gartner Senior Director Analyst serving chief supply chain officers in all the areas of supply chain related to strategy leadership and execution. She has authored and co-authored research and case studies on topics such as risk, supply chain maturity, the future of the supply chain, customer enablement, inflation and recession, and supply chain constraints. She also leads Gartner's research agenda for chief supply chain officers. Upcoming research topics from her team include supply chain sustainability and digital technology.

This episode explores:How supply chain operations in Asia/Pacific (APAC) countries have evolved in recent years. (1:16) How organizations are reoptimizing their supply chain networks in Asia/Pacific regions. (3:27)How supply chain leaders are responding to the challenge of upskilling the talent needed for moving into new markets in Asia/Pacific. (6:14)The key logistics challenges businesses need to tackle as supply chains shift toward deglobalization. (9:37) Guidance for supply chain leaders with operations in Asia/Pacific regions over the next three to five years. (12:07)In this podcast, host Thomas O'Connor and guest Teh Leng Tan, a Gartner analyst focusing on Asia/Pacific supply chain trends, discuss how supply chain operations in that region are rapidly evolving as businesses explore new manufacturing and distribution network strategies. At the same time, supply chain organizations are also tackling talent and logistics challenges in that part of the world.As disruptions in APAC have increased and tensions between the United States and China have intensified over the last five years, supply chain operations have been exploring such strategies as regionalization, localization and deglobalization. Prior to this time, China was viewed as a low-cost, fast-paced manufacturing hub. But more recently, those geopolitical tensions, along with a declining population in China coupled with increasing wages, have forced companies to think outside the box. For example, some organizations are looking toward expanding operations in markets such as India or Vietnam, and are rethinking talent acquisition and logistics strategies. Tan offers his observations and advice to supply chain leaders on how to advance and enhance their operations in the region.

This episode of the Supply Chain Podcast explores:Why supply chain leaders need to start viewing employee turnover as an opportunity rather than a challenge. (1:11) What do supply chain leaders need to do to start embracing turnover. (4:40) The changes required for the process of backfilling a role after an employee leaves. (8:53) How supply chain leaders can improve employee productivity. (12:43)Tackling the challenge of onboarding other senior stakeholders for the cultural change of embracing employee turnover. (17:32)Caroline Chumakov is a director analyst in Gartner's Talent and Sustainability team. She covers supply chain talent strategies, change management, communications, culture and centers of excellence. Caroline assists in elevating the supply chain profession to attract and retain top talent and speaks to what talent strategies and specialty organizational structures may address the gaps in supply chain capabilities. Caroline also advises clients on how to improve the diversity of their supply chain workforce and create inclusive work environments for all. She specializes in guiding clients through the development and deployment of supply chain centers of excellence. She discusses best practices for leading changes, whether focused on broad transformation or small-scale initiatives, and she advises on relationship-management communication strategies.

This episode explores:Defining GenAI: a capability at the peak of its hype and plenty of use cases (2:20)Reasons for CSCOs to take action on GenAI now rather than later (5:02)Real-world GenAI use cases in supply chain (7:04)Recommendations for supply chain leaders implementing GenAI in their own organizations (13:03)Host Thomas O'Connor explores generative AI (GenAI) with guest Cliff Henson, corporate vice president of cloud supply chain at Microsoft. They discuss approaches and opportunities in this emerging space, including use cases for GenAI in space planning and order fulfillment. Though early in thehis GenAI journey, Cliff discusses the transformative potential of the technology and how it has enabled the connection of disparate systems and provided the ability to obtain data-driven insights in minutes, rather than weeks or months. Then, Thomas and Cliff close the show with four discrete recommendations for supply chain leaders seeking to implement GenAI in their own organizations. 

This episode explores:The concept of antifragile supply chains and thriving due to uncertainty. (00:44)Supply chains are on a spectrum of coping with uncertainty from a state of fragile to resilient to antifragile. (3:12)How supply chains respond to uncertainty depending on where they are on the spectrum of fragile to resilient to antifragile. (5:48)Insight from organizations already on the path to supply chain antifragility. (11:39)Advice for listeners on how to get started on their journey to supply chain antifragility.  (17:56)Host Thomas O'Connor and Gartner research vice president Tim Payne discuss findings from the Executive Report: The Antifragile Supply Chain - Thriving Under Uncertainty, a report that proposes a paradigm shift towards managing uncertainty in supply chain organizations. Tim, author of the report, dives deep into how the majority of supply chains' approach to uncertainty is fragile, and ultimately rooted in preventing major losses from uncertainty. These organizations are protective of stability, and build their supply chains for redundancy and efficiency. However, shifting towards an “antifragile” mindset allows supply chain organizations to convert uncertainty into business growth and competitive advantage. Thomas and Tim close the show with recommendations for supply chain leaders interested in pursuing this antifragile mindset, including how and where to begin the process.

This episode explores:An overview of Gartner's Maverick program. (1:04)The concept of biomimicry and how honeybees can inspire supply chains. (2:20)What supply chains and CSCOs can learn about the role of autonomy from honeybees. (4:45)The role of swarm intelligence and how it can influence supply chains to operate like a hive. (11:19)Key actionable advice supply chain leaders can take away from honeybees and biomimicry. (16:40)In this podcast, host Thomas O'Connor and Gartner senior director Claudia Clemens dive deep into Claudia's Maverick Research: Biomimicry: How Honeybees Can Inspire Future Supply Chain Design. They explore how the humble honeybee hive's individual worker autonomy, nonlinear task structure and swarm intelligence can inform real-world supply chain practices like decentralized governance of autonomous workers and collective actions toward sustainable growth.Thomas and Claudia close the show with recommendations for supply chain leaders, including empowering both human and machine supply chain elements through clearly defining purpose and leveraging autonomy, flexibility and democratized data to create true diversity of thought.

An overview of Gartner's Supply Chain Top 25 ranking — what it measures and what the leading companies are doing differently than others: New opportunities and how supply chain can respond to risk and drive commercial innovation and growth for its organization. (3:16)Stories of innovation from organizations in the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 (5:51)The idea of collective progress and how supply chains in the Top 25 are driving it (09:37)How leading supply chains are transforming how they work to cope with challenges, such as employee burnout, high turnover and lower employee engagement (13:12)Recommendations for supply chain leaders who want to embody best practices of the Top 25 (18:24)In this podcast, host Caroline Chumakov and Gartner VP analyst Simon Bailey discuss lessons and best practices from Gartner's Supply Chain Top 25. They explore how companies featured within the Top 25 drive growth and mitigate risks by seizing innovative opportunities, transforming their organizations and engaging in collaborative action across the supply chain landscape. This exploration includes specific examples from the pharmaceutical, retail and automotive industries. Caroline and Simon also recommend actions for supply chain leaders seeking to integrate these top companies' practices into their own organizations, including how supply chain can drive business transformation and drive growth.

This episode explores: Insight into Haleon's transformation from three supply chains to one big supply chain (0:44)The role of agility and resilience in Haleon's supply chain transformation (5:33)Avoiding change burnout during transformation and disruption (9:28)Key advice on preventing change burnout for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) (13:56)Host Thomas O'Connor and Haleon CSCO Bart Derde discuss how Haleon managed its transformation from three distinct consumer pharmaceutical supply chains into one. Bart discusses the transformation's consumer insight, agility and resilience goals. Bart shares direct insight into gaining employee buy-in for these transformation initiatives by building agility and resilience into their corporate culture. Thomas and Bart also share recommendations that help supply chain leaders avoid change burnout by connecting interpersonal employee goals with organizational goals.

A tale of two companies — “build-in” vs. “bolt-on” sustainability. What is the difference and what works? (1:27)How can CSCOs effectively manage the enterprise's approach to sustainability and risk management? (4:52)How to build a strong offense for sustainability. (9:28)How can CSCOs better build sustainability into supply chain capabilities? (11:22)How can CSCOs make sustainability a part of everyone's job in supply chain? (14:35)Key recommendations for CSCOs who are keen to keep sustainability a top enterprise priority. (17:02)In this Supply Chain Podcast, host Caroline Chumakov and Gartner Research Director Sabu Mathai outline findings from Gartner's Supply Chain Executive Report: Balancing Sustainability and Resilience for Our Climate Future.They discuss the two types of company responses to sustainability and resilience: “build-in” companies who integrate sustainability as a core tenet of supply chain planning and operations, and “bolt-on” companies who retrofit sustainability onto existing businesses where it is most convenient.Caroline and Sabu walk through the sustainability benefits and best practices “build-in” companies enjoy, and how chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) can acquire the necessary attention, accountability and cooperation from their business partners to strengthen their organization's sustainability efforts.

In this episode of the Supply Chain Podcast, host Thomas O'Connor and guest Marie Robinson, executive vice president and chief supply chain officer at Sysco, explore recommendations and strategic insights for long-range planning (LRP). Marie discusses Sysco's integrated approach to using LRP analytics and data to serve daily operations. This creates organizationwide utility and trust in the LRP process, and it allows Marie and her teams to iterate on LRP models as needed. Thomas and Marie close the show with recommendations for cleaning and maintaining data inputs that allow supply chain leaders to build more robust LRP plans.

This episode of the Supply Chain Podcast explores:Overcoming the challenge of improving productivity and what's at the center of it (01:23) Defining individual potential in supply chain organizations (03:54)Unlocking community potential in supply chain organizations (07:08)Technology's role in unlocking the collective potential of supply chains (10:16)Actionable advice for unlocking the individual, community and technological potential of supply chains (15:00)Host Thomas O'Connor and Caroline Chumakov discuss the keynote for Gartner's 2023 Supply Chain Symposium: Unlocking the Collective Potential of Supply Chain. They explore the highly complex operating environment CSCOs find themselves in, and the thorny challenge at its heart: the lowest labor-force productivity in decades. Caroline defines the productivity problem and explains how CSCOs contribute to it with an overt focus on technology over people. Caroline then delivers recommendations for how CSCOs can adapt their organizations to unlock greater collective and holistic productivity from both their people and technology.

Supply Chain Podcast host Thomas O'Connor and Danone COO Vikram Agarwal discuss how Danone is transforming its supply chain to align to customer demands rather than bend to industry drivers. Vikram explains Danone's key transformational drivers and goals, including improved resiliency and greater manufacturing agility and flexibility. Vikram delivers several strategic recommendations for supply chain leaders who want to implement these same principles, and delves into how digital tools can help these leaders achieve their transformation goals.With 35 years' experience in supply chains around the globe, Danone Chief Operations Officer Vikram Agarwal has worked at leading companies, such as Unilever, Avon, Dole Packaged Foods, and at private equity funds. Besides being well-versed with most disciplines within the supply chain, Vikram possesses a successful track record in supply chain turnaround, digitalization of operations, route to market expansion, procurement strategies, new business development, and M&A projects. He is also an avid advocate of sustainability in operations.This episode explores:An overview of the scale and scope of Danone's global supply chain operations. (00:43) The need for supply chain transformation at Danone. (2:51) Danone's major pillars of supply chain transformation. (05:36) Supply chain transformation's impact on the financial model at Danone. (09:31) Sustainability's role in supply chain transformation at Danone. (12:00) The key enablers driving Danone's supply chain transformation. (17:50)

What is a digital twin of the customer? What does it look like and why do we need it? (1:11)Success stories from organizations investing in a digital twin of the customer. (4:40) Recommendations for listeners interested in developing a digital twin of the customer. (14:30)Digital twin of the customer (DToC) remains a nascent technology, and current research is only beginning to uncover its possible use cases, but it has significant potential to change how businesses go to market. In this Supply Chain Podcast, host Caroline Chumakov and guest Beth Coppinger discuss the benefits of employing DToC and how this emerging technology can transform your supply chain by driving growth, improving demand forecasting and enhancing customer experience. This technology can simulate customer behavior and reactions, which will allow supply chain leaders to better sense customer demands and predict the scenarios of how the supply chain should respond to those demands.