The Gartner Supply Chain Podcast

This episode explores:How Kenvue defines its supply chain’s value proposition. (1:04)Kenvue’s approach to resilience and digital transformation in the current, highly volatile business environment. (3:52)Real-world examples of Kenvue’s investments to overcome barriers to supply chain transformation. (10:08)Actionable recommendations for CSCOs leading digital and talent transformations today. (15:27)Host Thomas O’Connor and Kenvue COO Meri Stevens explore Kenvue’s use of digital investments to consolidate and target specific failure points that Meri refers to as “flow blockers.” They explore how this objective-driven approach helps focus the organization on big-picture problems and keep pace with today’s rapid pace of change. The pair close the show with recommendations for how CSCOs can effect similar transformations in their own organizations.About the GuestAs Chief Operations Officer for Kenvue, Meri drives end-to-end transformation, accelerating operational excellence, digitization and automation to fuel growth and unlock value. Her organization spans supply chain, procurement and quality, and is dedicated to ensuring Kenvue’s portfolio of brands are consistently available to customers and consumers worldwide.Previously, Meri served as Johnson & Johnson Worldwide Vice President, Consumer Health Supply Chain & Deliver, and prior Johnson & Johnson Supply Chain Strategy & Deployment. In these roles, she was instrumental in reinventing the organization to achieve world-class performance, including rising to the top five of the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 pyramid, receiving recognition by the World Economic Forum, developing a breakthrough 3D-printing innovation in medical devices and assuring the flow of critical medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic.Meri’s extensive experience spans more than 30 years with senior leadership roles at global corporations, including Chief Supply Chain Officer at Newell Rubbermaid and various operations and procurement leadership roles at Tyco, Bertelsmann, Knoll and General Electric.

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.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.