Joined by Westernacher’s Alexis Lozada, we dive into the world of network aware planning, a revolutionary approach to supply chain management that focuses on understanding the interconnectedness of various networks within the supply chain. Discover how this strategy helps businesses make informed decisions, prepare for disruptions, and optimize inventory allocation.

Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.

Alexis Lozada is the Associate Principal and Practice Director, Supply Chain Planning Practice – Americas for Westernacher Consulting.

Alexis is SAP alum, as product manager delivered over 100 feature and functions for SAP cloud-based advanced supply chain planning solution SAP IBP.  Additionally, he worked in various supply chain management roles for Del Monte Foods and started his career in finance and investment.

Alexis obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master’s degrees from IESA (Venezuela) and Carnegie Mellon University.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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The post Episode 99: Why Network Aware Planning Defeats Traditional Planning with Westernacher’s Alexis Lozada first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

Navigating manufacturing’s future: Supply chains face disruption, talent pools shrink, and sustainability demands rise. Discover how AI, cloud tech, and data-driven strategies offer solutions. Hear Judy Cubiss from SAP share insights on building resilient, efficient, and future-proof industrial operations.

Companies are rethinking supply chains for resilience and embracing collaboration platforms. AI offers potential for automation and insights but requires robust data management and infrastructure. Sustainability is now a financial imperative, with regulations driving the need for data collection and tools like green ledgers. Flexibility and agility are crucial in responding to evolving trade policies, with scenario planning becoming essential. Cloud ERP systems offer smaller manufacturers access to advanced technologies, aiding in talent management and innovation.

Join us as we dive into the Future of Supply Chain

Judy Cubiss has been working in the Discrete Industries space for over 20 years. She is responsible for industry marketing globally for industrial manufacturing and aerospace and defense at SAP and is responsible for telling SAP’s unique value proposition for those industries.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

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Learn more about focusing on your supply chain’s resiliency & how to bring out your best.   

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The post Episode 98: The Manufacturing Industry Trends 2025 with SAP’s Judy Cubiss first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week, we’re joined by McKinsey & Company’s Kevin Goering to dive into the insights from their fifth annual Global Supply Chain Leader Survey, revealing how executives are responding to persistent disruptions and shifting priorities. Together, we dive into the delicate balance between cost management and risk mitigation, the challenges of digital adoption, and the growing focus on nearshoring and dual sourcing, discovering why some companies may be taking their eye off the ball when it comes to supply chain resilience, and what strategies are proving most effective in today’s dynamic business environment.

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Kevin Goering is a partner in McKinsey’s Operations Practice and a leader of McKinsey’s industry 4.0 work. He advises companies on transformative initiatives across manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and product development challenges, while helping executives drive efficiency and productivity gains. Kevin is based in the Bay Area.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Nicole Smythe is a marketer, blogger, and podcaster in the Digital Supply Chain and ERP space at SAP. With a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management and various field experiences, she hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, focusing on topics like market trends, emerging technology, and the next generation of workers.  

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Learn more about focusing on your supply chain’s resiliency & how to bring out your best.   

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The post Episode 97: Supply Chains… Are They Still Vulnerable? with McKinsey’s Kevin Goering first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

As inflation, energy volatility, and supply chain bottlenecks strain the packaging industry, companies grapple with trade-offs between cost reduction and durability. This week, ProcureAbility’s Joe Adamski joins us to dive into strategies like lightweighting materials, on-site renewable energy, and rethinking the possibilities with transportation logistics. Together, we examine the viability of “net zero” claims, greenwashing risks, and innovations like sensor-driven energy optimization.

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Joe has more than 12 years of advisory and consulting experience centered on strategic procurement and large-scale transformations. He has deep experience in launching and executing programs focused on strategic sourcing, supply chain, procurement strategy, organizational design, and transformations.

Earlier in his career, Joe was an Air Force pilot before joining A.T. Kearney in their consumer practice. He has consulted with numerous Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries, including utilities, CPGs, grocery, retail, telecom, apparel, food and beverage, and government.

Joe holds a B.S. degree in Physics from the United States Air Force Academy and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. He enjoys boating, hiking, and spending time in the outdoors.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Nicole Smythe is a marketer, blogger, and podcaster in the Digital Supply Chain and ERP space at SAP. With a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management and various field experiences, she hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, focusing on topics like market trends, emerging technology, and the next generation of workers.  

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Learn more about navigating the packaging industry & how to bring out your best.  

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The post Episode 96: Navigating the Packaging Puzzle: Cost, Sustainability, and Innovation in a Disrupted Supply Chain with ProcureAbility’s Joe Adamski first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week, Niall Brennan – former FBI agent turned SAP cybersecurity strategist – details the critical role of securing supply chains amid rising cyber threats. With 22 years of FBI experience in counterterrorism, cybercrime, and intelligence, Brennan now bridges public-private partnerships to safeguard SAP’s digital ecosystem. He discusses threat intelligence sharing, incident response, regulatory compliance, and anticipatory resilience strategies, highlighting the need for “personality-resistant” global collaboration to neutralize vulnerabilities in an era of rapid technological disruption.

Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.

Niall P. Brennan joined SAP on June 1, 2020, as the Global Head of External Engagement for the security organization. In this capacity, he leads relationships with global government security services, legislative and regulatory bodies, public-private partnerships, industry trade councils, non-governmental organizations and academia to address issues related to industry security and resilience, threat mitigation and regulatory compliance and enforcement. He has over 30 years of experience in a variety of legal, advisory, security, and investigative roles in both the public and private sectors. 

An attorney by education and training, Niall began his professional life as a commercial litigator in private practice.  In 1996, he joined the FBI, where he spent 22-years in multiple operational and managerial capacities across all investigative and investigative support programs, including transnational organized crime, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber and intelligence.  Through his service, he gained extensive experience in complex investigation, information collection and management, crisis management and international diplomacy.  In his last position with the FBI, Niall led the office in the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France for over 5 years.  He retired from the FBI in 2018 and joined PwC as a Director in the Cybersecurity & Privacy practice where he led client engagements focused on cyber incident response and mitigation, resiliency-building and organizational transformation.  

Niall is married and resides in New York City with his wife and four children.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Nicole Smythe is a marketer, blogger, and podcaster in the Digital Supply Chain and ERP space at SAP. With a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management and various field experiences, she hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, focusing on topics like market trends, emerging technology, and the next generation of workers.  

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Learn more protecting your supply chains from cyber threats & how to bring out your best.   

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The post Episode 95: Cyber Fortress: Securing the Digital Lifelines of Global Supply Chains with SAP’s Niall Brennan first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week, we’re joined by Adelante SCM’s Adrian Gonzalez to talk all things logistics – no pun intended. With logistics moving into the forefront of companies’ digital transformation, we dove into the importance of valuing and utilizing the broader supplier network, seizing the momentum of the technology transformation and acceleration, and sharpening your visibility beyond your four walls.

Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.

Adrian Gonzalez is a trusted advisor and leading industry analyst with more than 25 years of research experience in transportation management, logistics outsourcing, and other supply chain and logistics topics. He is the founder and president of Adelante SCM, a peer-to-peer learning, networking, and research community for supply chain and logistics professionals. Adelante’s services include Talking Logistics, an online video talk show and blog featuring thought leaders and newsmakers in the supply chain and logistics industry, and Indago, a market research service that brings together a community of supply chain and logistics practitioners who share practical knowledge and advice with each other while giving back to charitable causes.

Prior to his current roles, Adrian held various leadership positions at ARC Advisory Group, Motorola, Polaroid, and Clare. Adrian speaks frequently at industry events and conferences and is regularly quoted in industry publications. He is also a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and a LinkedIn Influencer with more than 249,000+ followers.

Adrian has a B.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University. He also earned a Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management from Northeastern University, where he has served as an adjunct instructor in their Executive MBA program.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

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Learn more about how smart manufacturing can transform your supply chain & how to bring out your best.  

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The post Episode 94: The Outlook for Logistics for 2025 and Beyond with Adelante SCM’s Adrian Gonzalez first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

This week, Deloitte’s Tim Gaus joins the series to explors the future of manufacturing, discussing key challenges manufacturers are set to face in 2025, including workforce management, agility in production, and technology modernization. Together, we highlight the importance of balancing human expertise with automation, the impact of generative AI on manufacturing processes, and the need for a harmonized digital core to optimize supply chain management and manufacturing efficiency.

Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.

Tim is a principal and the Smart Manufacturing Business Leader with Deloitte Consulting LLP. He brings more than 25 years of supply chain experience with a focus on value chain optimization using emerging technology. He has led multiple supply chain transformations, spanning supply chain strategy, manufacturing optimization, supply chain planning, inventory optimization, operating model design, and operational excellence for domestic and multinational corporations. He has been hands on creating the “Factory of the Future” for his clients using IOT, converging the IT/OT space, and harnessing edge to cloud to drive real time insights. Tim previously led Deloitte’s US Supply Chain Retail and Consumer product practice.

Prior to joining Deloitte, Tim grew up in the manufacturing space including programming industrial controls for high speed manufacturing, leading large scale engineering programs, and running 24/7 operations for a production facility with over 50 production lines. He earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester and his MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Nicole Smythe is a marketer, blogger, and podcaster in the Digital Supply Chain and ERP space at SAP. With a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management and various field experiences, she hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, focusing on topics like market trends, emerging technology, and the next generation of workers.  

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Learn more about how smart manufacturing can transform your supply chain & how to bring out your best.   

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The post Episode 93: Smart Manufacturing in 2025 and Beyond with Deloitte’s Tim Gaus first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

As many trends and predictions for this new year, from regionalized supply chains to AI-powered technologies to sustainability initiatives taking the forefront, executives are looking for ways to radicalize their business processes. This week, Lisa Anderson joins us to dive into these new strategies and initiatives that will continue to drive change in businesses as we enter 2025.

Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.

Ranked Number 16 in SAP’s Supply Chain Influencers and recognized as one of the top 1% of consultants worldwide, Lisa Anderson has deep experience partnering with manufacturers and distributors to maximize value.

Lisa Anderson is the founder and president of LMA Consulting Group Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in manufacturing strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation that maximizes the customer experience and enables profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth.  Known for creating bold customer promises and profits, she is experienced in working with closely-held, private-equity backed and large, complex organizations in industries ranging from aerospace and defense, building and industrial products to food and beverage.

Often quoted in media outlets like the Wall Street Journal, ABC News and Industry Week, she is regularly invited to speak at conferences and events on topics like the Amazon Effect and Resiliency in Supply Chain at venues such as the Drucker Supply Chain Forum and the Manufacturers Summit. Lisa has been named a Top 46 Supply Chain Influencer by SAP, a Top 50 ERP Influencer by Washington Frank, a Top 40 B2B Tech Influencer by Arketi, a Top Woman Influencer by Solutions Review and a Top 100 Supply Chain Blogger by SupplyChainOpz. She recently published, I’ve Been Thinking, an inspiring collection of 101 strategies for creating bold customer promises and profits.

Prior to founding LMA Consulting Group Inc., Lisa was the Vice President of Operations of PaperPak. Her tenure included transitions and promotions through the company transformation from a $100 million family-owned business, through a merger and acquisition of three businesses into one $350 million global company, followed by a management leveraged buyout in combination with an investment banking group.

When not working with clients or mentees, Lisa enjoys weekend jaunts to Arizona to visit family and trips to new exotic places like Fiji or old favorites like Italy and Oxford.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Nicole Smythe is a marketer, blogger, and podcaster in the Digital Supply Chain and ERP space at SAP. With a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management and various field experiences, she hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, focusing on topics like market trends, emerging technology, and the next generation of workers.  

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Learn more about how supply chain plays a differentiating role in your digital transformation & how to bring out your best.   

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The post Episode 92: New Year, New Supply Chain Trends and Predictions with LMA Consulting Group’s Lisa Anderson first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

You know the saying… new year, new predictions? That’s right – to kick off 2025, Sarah Barnes-Humphrey joins us to discuss the patterns, trends, and predictions we see driving digital supply chain transformation this upcoming year, like increased focus on cybersecurity, automation and humans’ new bond, and making supply chain fun again.

Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.

Sarah Barnes-Humphrey is an entrepreneur and influencer, with over 20 years of experience in supply chain. She founded the Let’s Talk Supply Chain brand and Blended non-profit with an eye towards making the field of supply chain and logistics more inclusive and diverse.

While infusing education and industry knowledge across the multitude of podcasts, live shows, and blogs she’s amassed since founding Let’s Talk Supply Chain in 2016. Her Let’s Talk Supply Chain podcast now sits among the top 1% of most downloaded podcasts globally.

Known for her engaging, energetic style, she works with hundreds of companies and leaders in the supply chain to share their stories, dive into supply chain trends and tackle the biggest challenges facing businesses today.

Sarah was recently named as one of the 10 Most Admired Women in Business to Follow, as a Top Woman in Supply Chain from Supply & Demand Chain Executive, and a Peerless Women Leader. Sarah is also on the Board of Directors for FITT – The Forum for International Trade Training and provided support for the ISO application and the CAC committee. She also helped design the DEI Honor given at TPM by the Journal of Commerce. In addition to her own brand, Sarah also has a LinkedIn Learning course on supply chain sustainability and often hosts industry events, roundtables, and more.

Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Nicole Smythe is a marketer, blogger, and podcaster in the Digital Supply Chain and ERP space at SAP. With a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management and various field experiences, she hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, focusing on topics like market trends, emerging technology, and the next generation of workers.  

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Learn more about how supply chain plays a differentiating role in your digital transformation & how to bring out your best.   

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The post Episode 91: 2025 Predictions with Sarah Barnes-Humphrey first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.

Produktionsstätten verlagern? Klingt wie ein Umzug mit zu vielen Kartons – nur komplexer, global und riskanter.

In dieser Folge spreche ich mit meinen beiden Kollegen Ralf Lehmann und Matthias Deindl darüber wie den Überblick über Lieferketten, Daten und Prozesse bei einer Standortverlagerung behält, warum Cloud-ERP euer digitales Umzugsunternehmen sein kann und wie ihr Produktions-Pannen vermeidet. Damit der Neustart kein Totalschaden wird! Und natürlich geht es auch um die SAP S.Factory.

Ralf Lehmann ist als Vice President und Global Head of Product Marketing für das Product Lifecycle Management und die Fertigungsprozesse zuständig.

Mit seiner umfassenden Erfahrung im Shopfloor-Management hat Ralf Lehmann zahlreiche SAP-Projekte und Vertriebsinitiativen geleitet und dabei sein umfassendes Fachwissen in der Überwachung von Fertigungsprozessen unter Beweis gestellt.

Ralf ist seit 2002 bei SAP und verfügt über 22 Jahre Fachwissen in der SAP Business Suite, insbesondere in der Fertigung. Seine Karriere begann in der SAP-Beratung, wo er verschiedene Produktions- und Qualitätsmanagement-Initiativen in unterschiedlichen Branchen leitete. Seit 2004 war er in verschiedenen Vertriebs- und Marketingpositionen in der Geschäfts- und Marktentwicklung in Deutschland, DACH, EMEA und weltweit tätig. Zu seinen internationalen Erfahrungen gehört auch ein bedeutender Einsatz im Wachstumsmarkt Lateinamerika, als er bei SAP México tätig war. Als Gründungsmitglied der S.Factory in der SAP-Zentrale, die im 10. Jahr ihres Bestehens SAP zugänglich macht, setzt Ralf seine Arbeit vom Hauptsitz des Unternehmens in Walldorf aus fort.

Matthias Deindl beschäftigt sich leidenschaftlich mit der digitalen Transformation in der Supply Chain. Er verfügt über mehr als 15 Jahre Arbeits- und Führungserfahrung in dynamischen Umgebungen mit interdisziplinären Teams. Bei SAP ist er derzeit verantwortlich für Use Cases für die Digitale Supply Chain im globalen Network der SAP Experience Center. Zuvor leitete er die Aktivitäten des Industrie 4.0 Centers in EMEA und Indien, das den Weg zur Digitalisierung von Kunden in der diskreten Fertigung und der Prozessindustrie beschleunigte. Vor SAP arbeitete Herr Deindl bei Bosch als Gruppenleiter und Product Owner in einem Corporate IoT Startup sowie als Innovationsmanager in der Zentrallogistik. Davor war er Projektleiter und Abteilungsleiter an einem An-Institut der RWTH Aachen.

In zahlreichen Projekten und Kundeninteraktionen hat Matthias Domänenwissen in verschiedenen Branchen wie Automotive, Luftfahrt, Pharma, Maschinenbau und Logistik erworben.

Herr Deindl hat ein Diplom in Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen vom Karlsruher Institut für Technologie und einen Doktortitel in Maschinenbau der RWTH Aachen. 

Sin To bringt über 15 Jahre Erfahrung in der digitalen Medienbranche und im Technologiesektor mit, insbesondere in den Bereichen Marketing, Business Development, Thought Leadership und als Redakteurin. Im SAP Global Marketing Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team fördert sie die Vordenkerrolle und das Bewusstsein für SAPs Supply-Chain-Lösungen, mit einem besonderen Fokus auf neue Markttrends und Nachhaltigkeit.

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The post DE EP 5: Cloud, IT und der Standortwechsel in der Produktion (German Version) first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain.