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 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

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 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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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 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, 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
• Operations Recruiters
• Manufacturing Recruiters
• 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 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 talk with Steve Simmerman, currently Vice-President of Global Alliances with Locus Robotics. Steve has extensive experience in supply chain automation and information systems. He provides how he got started in supply chain and the transitions he has made. Transitions that were inspired by carefully tracking industry trends and finding the opportunities to pursue what's next. Steve explains the value of one of those "What's Next?" as the role of robotics to make workers safer and be more productive AND be happier in their positions. He explains the role of a VP of Global Alliances and how to build business relationships nationally and internationally. Steve also points out the value of an extensive network, building partnerships, and understanding the relationships between people and technology. Steve closes with some of the best advice he has received and shares with others.

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 have Katie Fowler, President of Unchained Value. Katie starts with her career path prior to starting up Unchained Value, which most recently she spent 11 years at energy services firm Schlumberger, advancing through sourcing and costing focused roles, all the way up to a VP role. Plus two years at Fluke Electronics as a Master Scheduler and a Planner/Buyer. Katie said supply chain found her starting at 15 years old. She has operations experience and enjoyed learning and practicing Kaizen, plus she likes the puzzle solving aspect of supply chains. Katie shares what led her to start Unchained Value and what they do to help companies go through transformations. She talks with us about maintaining perspective, whether the view is 40,000 feet or 4 feet when trying to understand the big picture and on the ground. She also provides her thoughts on necessary hard and soft skills, how to be a better networker, and how to drive and cope with change. Katie closes with the best advice she has received and gives to others.  

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