In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, hosts Rodney Apple and Chris Gaffney sit down with David Shillingford, CoFounder of Everstream Analytics, to explore the evolving landscape of supply chain risk management. David shares his unconventional career journey—from the British Army to leading analytics-driven startups—and provides invaluable insights into how businesses can proactively manage risk in today's complex global supply chains.

With real-world examples and expert advice, this episode is a must-listen for supply chain professionals, business leaders, and aspiring risk managers looking to stay ahead of industry challenges.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how to build a more resilient, risk-optimized supply chain!

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
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• Continuous Improvement
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• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Inventory Planning
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• Technology and Automation
• Robotics

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, we sit down with Erin Horvath, former Chief Operating Officer at United Natural Foods (UNFI), to explore her remarkable journey from project management to the C-suite. Erin shares how her early experience in project management shaped her leadership style, the importance of execution in driving career growth, and the pivotal moments that defined her rise to executive leadership.

She dives into how an enterprise mindset, curiosity, and cross-functional collaboration played key roles in her success—and why making bold career moves, embracing transformation, and learning from every experience can set aspiring leaders apart. Erin also discusses the future of supply chain leadership, the impact of AI, and why decisiveness and urgency are more critical than ever.

Whether you're an early-career professional looking to break into leadership or a seasoned supply chain executive navigating transformation, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with confidence and drive real impact.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how getting things done can define your path to leadership

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
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• Manufacturing
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• Continuous Improvement
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• Technology and Automation
• Robotics

What happens when a near-death experience completely shifts your perspective on life and leadership? In this powerful episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, we sit down with Tarek Taha, Senior Director of Engineering & Technology at J.B. Hunt, to hear his incredible journey - from a thriving career to a life-threatening illness that forced him to rethink everything.

Tarek shares how a sudden and severe brain infection nearly took his life, the difficult choice to undergo high-risk surgery, and how the experience ignited a passion for mentorship, leadership development, and coaching. He reflects on the pivotal moments in his career, the lessons he’s learned about leading people through change, and how he helps young engineers and professionals unlock their potential.

Tune in to hear how Tarek’s journey through adversity led him to embrace servant leadership, career coaching, and purpose-driven success. Whether you're an aspiring supply chain leader, an experienced professional, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on career growth, resilience, and the true meaning of leadership.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
• Operations
• Manufacturing
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• Continuous Improvement
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Inventory Planning
• Transportation & Logistics
• Technology and Automation
• Robotics

Chris Wall, co-founder and CEO of Zeus Logics sits down with Rodney Apple to talk about the impact of Trump tariffs and other things to look for in 2025 in the global supply chain landscape. Chris is the co founder and CEO of Zeus Logics, which is a global trade And logistics company. Chris's expertise in global trade policy helps us explore the evolving dynamics of global trade and logistics under the backdrop of changing policies as we roll into 2025 under a new Trump administration. 

From the lasting impacts of tariffs and trade agreements to the rise of automation and the future of supply chain talent, Chris shares invaluable insights on what lies ahead for businesses and professionals alike. Don't miss this forward-thinking discussion packed with actionable takeaways for navigating the future of supply chain management as we head into 2025.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
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• Technology and Automation
• Robotics

This episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast features Glen Wegel, who brings 25 years of experience to the table, including his role since 2018 with Kitchen Cabinet Distributors (KCD). At KCD, Glen oversees logistics, distribution, delivery and transportation, and domestic manufacturing, while also leading the Information Technology and Environmental, Health & Safety teams. Notably, this has been during a period of extraordinary growth—over 1,200%.

Glen shares how he began his supply chain journey, highlighting the foundational value of his Army service and his passion for developing teams and optimizing complex or broken systems, particularly in fast-changing or high-pressure environments. He discusses his methods for leading teams, the satisfaction of watching them level up, and the importance of accountability and trust in driving continuous progress in processes.

Tune in to hear Glen's insights on managing change and large-scale projects, his perspective on key industry trends, and the invaluable advice he has received throughout his career—and now shares with others.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
• Operations
• Manufacturing
• Distribution Center & Warehousing
• Continuous Improvement
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Inventory Planning
• Transportation & Logistics
• Technology and Automation
• Robotics

In this special edition of the Supply Chain Careers podcast, hosts Mike Ogle, Chris Gaffney, and Rodney Apple discuss the impact of the post-election landscape on supply chain talent and strategies and how executives can mitigate risks moving into 2025. Key topics include the potential for increased tariffs, changes to trade policies, and their ripple effects on industries like manufacturing, procurement, and logistics. They explore the rising demand for automation, workforce challenges, and the critical need for strategic sourcing and talent agility. Companies are urged to diversify supply chains, embrace AI, and focus on workforce upskilling, while individuals should enhance their adaptability and technical skills to stay competitive.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
• Operations
• Manufacturing
• Distribution Center & Warehousing
• Continuous Improvement
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Inventory Planning
• Transportation & Logistics
• Technology and Automation
• Robotics

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, we speak with Rick McDonald, most recently CSCO for The Clorox Company, as part of his 32 years with the company, plus multiple previous positions over nine years at Frito-Lay. It all started with a summer job at a metal fabrication factory, growing an interest in developing his efficiency gene. Rick took on the tasks at Clorox that nobody else wanted, enabling his ability to be called on as a fixer, stepping into difficult situations where things were broken. An important lesson he discusses is how to develop teams and lead as you develop trust. Listen as Rick talks about how to approach problems, learn what matters, and develop accountability. He talks about avoiding the straight-up climb of the ladder in favor of lateral moves that can help you connect the dots. Rick tells you to find your passion, develop agility, beef up your emotional intelligence, and increase your digital fluency. He provides a detailed analysis of developing resiliency, then closes with some of the best advice he has heard and likes to provide to others.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
• Operations
• Manufacturing
• Distribution Center & Warehousing
• Continuous Improvement
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Inventory Planning
• Transportation & Logistics
• Technology and Automation
• Robotics

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, we speak with Mike Leggett, Chief Supply Chain Officer for La-Z-Boy, who has also progressed through positions at Kimberly Clark, Abbott Laboratories, Masonite, and Dentsply Sirona. Mike got his start in supply chain pursuing finance at Ohio State, but after attending a Transportation Logistics Association meeting and enjoying the free pizza, found that a speaker from Big Lots inspired him to look further into supply chain. He shares his transitions and growth path on the way up to CSCO, knowing he wanted to be a leader. Mike provides his thoughts about how to establish breadth of experiences, including vital operations experience, that helps him lead a broad team of VPs. He shares his mentors' advice and the value of being a servant leader. He also seeks continuous feedback and asks as many questions as he can about how he is doing and the directions he should be taking. Mike highly values curiosity, intelligence, and analytic capabilities, but values attitude most of all. In this episode Mike also addresses international experiences, networking, establishing relationships, setting proper expectations, and asking what more you can do.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
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• Manufacturing
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• Continuous Improvement
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• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Inventory Planning
• Transportation & Logistics
• Technology and Automation
• Robotics

n this episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, we talk with Lee Beard, a supply chain executive with extensive experience at companies such as Coca-Cola, Nordstrom, Nike and Dell. Lee knew he wanted to be an engineer because his dad was a manufacturing guy, but then made his way into logistics where he saw a future. He has achieved his career goal of leading large teams and organizations. To get there he knew he needed greater financial understanding, so he got an MS in Management with a focus on finance and operations. He offers his perspective of what it means to manage a truly global supply chain at a large scale. Lee says the diversity of talent in supply chain has changed dramatically for the better. He provides his concerns about supply chain professionals being able to see through the fog of many proposed new technologies and whether they have the ability to work and to scale. Lee provides his career development advice, particularly when you are trying to lead others. He also provides his thoughts about the value of being part of associations to learn and to build relationships. Lee closes with his thoughts about sustainability

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

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• Robotics

In this episode, Chris Gaffney, Rodney Apple, and Mike Ogle synthesize each lesson from the entirety of the SCC Leadership Series. In this 20th episode, they discuss ways that your team can benefit from these lessons and how to implement a lot of these practices across your organization. Chris emphasizes that these best practices in leadership are not limited to supply chain practices. So share across your networks and help others become better leaders and improve their own career success.

Leadership is something that is developed over time by those who seek knowledge and understanding. This can only be done if an individual is willing to follow and be proactive about their own growth. Gap analysis, blind spots, seeking mentors, and humility are all keys to succeeding and growing as a leader. We show you how this can be done and encourage aspiring leaders to consult these episodes to help pave your path to leadership growth and success.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain Recruiters
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• Distribution Center & Warehouse Recruiters
• Continuous Improvement Recruiters
• S&OP Recruiters
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Recruiters
• Inventory Planning Recruiters
• Transportation & Logistics Recruiters

Need help hiring top talent? Engage a recruiting firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Supply Chain
• Operations
• Manufacturing
• Distribution Center & Warehousing
• Continuous Improvement
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Inventory Planning
• Transportation & Logistics
• Technology and Automation
• Robotics