Supply Chain Careers Podcast

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, we bring to you Part 1 of a three-part series on what makes the supply chain hiring process challenging, plus we provide ways to address those challenges. These three episodes are part of our Supply Chain Careers Catalyst series which is focused on why hiring in supply chain is so difficult. Listen as Rodney Apple, Chris Gaffney, and Mike Ogle explore the complexities that make finding the right supply chain professionals more challenging than it might appear. Drawing on decades of recruiting and operational leadership experience, they examine how job titles, responsibilities, facility size, operating models, and industry differences can complicate the hiring process.

The conversation also explores the importance of transferable skills, leadership capabilities, organizational culture, and understanding the actual scope of a position rather than relying on job titles alone. Whether you're an employer looking to strengthen your hiring process or a supply chain professional considering your next career move, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of supply chain hiring.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In this episode, Carlos Gutierrez Ferrete joins Rodney Apple and Chris Gaffney to discuss the experiences and leadership lessons that shaped his supply chain career. Carlos explains why career growth should be measured by capabilities rather than titles, why discomfort is essential to professional development, and how emerging leaders can take greater ownership of their careers. The conversation also explores the transition from manager to leader, building leadership bench strength, addressing underperformance, leading large organizations, and helping teams navigate transformation and technology. Carlos also shares insights from his book, Maintain or Transform, which brings together 25 years of lessons on leading through change, building strong teams, and navigating complexity. Throughout the episode, he returns to a central idea: meaningful growth comes from taking ownership, learning by doing, and moving toward difficult challenges rather than away from them.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In this episode, Brad McGregor joins Rodney Apple and Mike Ogle to discuss a supply chain career shaped by manufacturing, procurement, aerospace, defense, and emerging technology. Brad explains why early experience on the production floor helped shape his leadership style, how moving between companies and industries expanded his capabilities, and why professionals should continue seeking difficult problems rather than comfortable titles. The conversation also explores resilience in defense supply chains, supplier relationships, AI adoption, and the need to balance speed with discipline. Throughout the episode, Brad returns to a simple career philosophy: keep learning, stay close to the work, and pursue opportunities that stretch your capabilities.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In this episode, Wanda Johnson, Supply Chain Technology Fellow at Deloitte, joins Rodney Apple and Mike Ogle to share how a career that began in accounting and retail operations evolved into supply chain consulting, technology, and transformation leadership. She explains how transferable skills helped her move across industries and organizations including Ralph Lauren, Tompkins Associates, IBM, Accenture, and Deloitte. The conversation also explores why technology initiatives must begin with a clearly defined business problem, how companies can keep people at the center of AI and automation, and why continuous learning, soft skills, and genuine professional relationships remain essential to long-term career growth.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, Adri McCaskill, CEO of SplitLogiX, joins us to discuss her career journey that took her from South Africa to supply chain leadership and entrepreneurship in the US. She shares how mentorship, operational experience, stretch assignments, industry involvement, and a willingness to step into uncomfortable roles helped prepare her to launch and lead a global supply chain company. She also reflects on the importance of choosing learning over title, building trust early, and staying close to the work so that future opportunities are met with real preparation. Our conversation also explores warehouse crisis recovery, the importance of aligning people, processes, and technology, and why reputation, curiosity, industry relationships, and calm decision-making under pressure are essential for long-term career growth.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

 In the eighth episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast Catalyst Series, the second installment of our  Beyond the Resume episode, Rodney Apple and Chris Gaffney explore why professional references have become one of the most overlooked competitive advantages in today's hiring market. As AI continues to produce polished resumes and help candidates prepare for interviews, employers increasingly need independent validation of a candidate's experience, leadership, and accomplishments. This conversation examines how both job seekers and hiring managers can transform the reference process from a routine hiring step into a meaningful source of insight that improves hiring decisions and career outcomes. 

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In the eighth episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast Catalyst Series, Rodney Apple and Chris Gaffney discuss why resumes and interviews alone are no longer enough to distinguish top talent. They explore how hiring managers are adapting to an AI-assisted recruiting landscape, why employers are placing greater emphasis on validating experience, and how professionals can proactively build a career portfolio that demonstrates credibility, leadership, and measurable business impact throughout their careers. 

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers podcast, we speak with Mike Hammel, President of KDL, a third-party logistics organization specializing in transportation management, freight optimization, and supply chain technology solutions. Mike grew up in a family business deeply rooted in the trucking and transportation industry, where he developed an early appreciation for how freight moves, how businesses operate, and the critical role of supply chains. During our conversation, Mike shares how growing up in a family business shaped his leadership philosophy, and how building experience across multiple functions creates stronger supply chain leaders. We also discuss the growing role of AI in freight management, the evolving transportation market, and the importance of developing trusted customer relationships, all within a culture of continuous improvement. Throughout the episode, Mike offers practical advice for professionals looking to build successful supply chain careers.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, we speak with Calem Harris, Founder and CEO of Top Hat Engineering, a supply chain technology firm focused on warehouse automation, software solutions, and operational performance. Calem is a former Marine Corps special operations officer and graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He has built a unique career at the intersection of engineering, technology, and supply chain operations while working with leading companies such as Daifuku, Staples, and Fortna.

During our conversation, Calem shares how his military experience shaped his leadership philosophy, the lessons he learned, and the entrepreneurial journey that led him to launch Top Hat Engineering. We also explore the realities of what it takes for automation projects to achieve their expected ROI, the growing importance of software in distribution operations, and how AI, robotics, and machine vision are transforming the future of supply chain execution. Along the way, Calem offers practical advice for both supply chain professionals and students preparing for careers in an increasingly automated and technology-driven industry.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers podcast, we speak with Rob Handfield, the Bank of America University Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management at North Carolina State University and the Executive Director of the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative. Widely regarded as one of the leading voices in global supply chain management, Rob has published more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and has been featured in major media outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and the Financial Times. During our conversation, Rob shares his insights from more than 35 years in the field, including why relationships, humility, and operational experience remain essential leadership traits even as AI and advanced analytics reshape the profession. We also explore supply chain resilience, the growing gap between technical and soft skills, and what future leaders must do to build successful careers in an increasingly volatile global environment.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing