Leaders in Supply Chain and Logistics Podcast is one of our projects focused on bringing some of the best thought leaders in the industry, pick their brains and share it with as many interested listeners as possible.
We want to connect you with global experts, thought leaders, and executives in all things value chain. We talk about Supply Chain's leading-edge technologies, leadership stories, and personal success habits.
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* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Luca Labriola, Chief Operating Officer at Aalberts, reflects on his journey from the shop floor to leading global supply chain transformations. He played a key role in building an end-to-end supply chain model that improved delivery performance and reduced inventory, and today he is strengthening supply chain and procurement capabilities while shaping the Aalberts Production System to drive long-term operational discipline. Luca also shares his leadership philosophy: ...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Steffen Lang runs operations for one of the world’s most impactful pharma giants, Novartis, leading over 20,000 associates globally. He started in R&D and now oversees the delivery of life-saving medicines at near-perfect service levels. In this episode, we explored how he built a product-centered, resilient supply network, embraced AI in manufacturing, and tackled the real-time complexity of personalized therapies. We dive deep into leadership, dual supply chain ...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Karin Shanahan, EVP and Chief Supply Chain & Operations Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, shares how she led a full-scale reboot of the company’s global operating model across 11,000 people in 80 markets. From Excel chaos and post-acquisition silos to a connected, data-led, and transparent supply chain, Karin walks through the bold decisions that made it happen. She breaks down how telling the hard truths, setting new cultural norms, and earning cross-functional tr...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Cliff Henson leads Microsoft’s Cloud Supply Chain and Engineering, powering Azure, Microsoft 365, and Copilot across 400+ data centers globally. I sat down with Cliff to discuss how he helped pivot Microsoft from a “buy” to a “make” model, turning the cloud supply chain from a cost center into a strategic growth engine. We explore how his team implemented 26 AI agents, dramatically reducing headcount while doubling output. He also shared the blueprint for lean process...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Duncan Angove, CEO of Blue Yonder, joins me to unpack the seismic shifts in supply chain driven by AI, data, and imagination. From powering $25 billion in machine workloads daily to orchestrating global operations for the world’s largest brands, Duncan reveals how Blue Yonder’s platform is reshaping the industry. We explore AI ethics, change management, platformization, and what supply chains might look like in a decade, fueled not just by tech, but by societal transf...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Susanne Waidzunas has spent over 25 years shaping one of the most intricate global supply chains on the planet at IKEA. From her early days managing suppliers in the Baltics to leading a sweeping digital and sustainability transformation, Susanne offers a rare look inside IKEA’s end-to-end strategy. We explore how her team is decoupling growth from material usage, investing in automation to boost resilience, and building a culture of collaborative leadership to future...
* Hosted by Fei Yu* I sat down with Arne Flemming, Senior Vice President of Corporate Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics Services at Bosch, a €90B global powerhouse operating across mobility, industrial tech, home appliances, and more. Arne leads supply chain operations impacting 30,000+ associates and 230 plants worldwide. We discuss his nontraditional path from finance into supply chain, his philosophy of calm yet decisive leadership, and how Bosch stays agile after 140 years of hist...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Jim Tobojka is the Chief Operations Officer at TE Connectivity, a USD 16B industrial tech powerhouse whose products power everything from EVs to life-saving devices. We dived into Jim’s bold career path, from turning around plants at age 24 to scaling TE’s logistics network through a transformative initiative called Integrated Operations Network or ION. We explored how he slashed logistics costs by over 60%, built an AI strategy with real ROI, and created a playbook f...
* Hosted by Fei Yu* Manuel Wildberger leads European operations at Givaudan, a global flavor and fragrance giant with 7.4B Swiss Francs in sales and customers across 150 countries. I spoke with Manuel about how he manages a 800M Swiss Francs supply chain across seven plants and five countries while balancing hyper-customization, precision, and resilience. We explore how Givaudan stays agile amid raw material shocks, geopolitical complexity, and regulatory hurdles, while integrating AI, digitaliz...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, we dive into one of the most consequential supply chain narratives of our time: how Apple became the single largest private contributor to China’s tech rise. Patrick McGee, a longtime Financial Times reporter and author of Apple in China, joins me to unravel the $55B-a-year investments, the Foxconn partnership that transformed Shenzhen, and why Apple today is more than just a tech company, but also a geopolitical force. We explore themes of industrial...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Pier Luigi Sigismondi helped build Unilever’s supply chain into a global benchmark, then pivoted to become a sought-after board member across three continents. In this episode, we explored his remarkable journey from Latin America to C-suites and boardrooms, and how a mindset rooted in humility, ambition, and adaptability shaped every chapter. We unpacked the ‘GAP’ leadership framework, his transition to non-executive life, and why empowerment, self-awareness, and aut...
* Hosted by Stéphanie Moles-Rota* In this compelling episode, I interviewed Ruth Beadle, the Head of Supply Chain at Sanofi, where we talked about her transformative leadership journey across various industries and geographies. Ruth shared pivotal moments that shaped her career, the challenges of leading large-scale ERP and AI-driven initiatives, and the human impact behind pharmaceutical logistics. Listeners will gain insights into how Sanofi evolved its supply chain to support innovation, agil...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Unilever is turning its iconic ice cream business, home to Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s, into a standalone powerhouse. What does it really take to spin off an €8.5B global business? Sandeep Desai, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Unilever Ice Cream, takes us inside the transformation. From leading 9,000+ employees across 38 factories and 130 warehouses, to managing the emotional and operational shift of a corporate breakup, Sandeep shares the raw realities of change at s...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed Brian Nemeth, Managing Director at AlixPartners, where we talked about the ripple effects of tariffs on global supply chains. We dived into real-world case studies, the resurgence of the bullwhip effect, and the strategic decisions supply chain leaders must make under pressure. Brian shared his on-the-ground experience helping major companies react and adapt quickly to uncertainty, offering actionable insights on scenario planning, autom...
Thomas Berden, COO of VAT Group, shares insights into how the company maintains its 75% market share in the semiconductor vacuum valve industry through customer focus, innovation, and a flexible operational model. He elaborates on the challenges of managing a global manufacturing footprint and ensuring supply chain resilience amid geopolitical shifts. Thomas also highlights essential leadership qualities and career advice for navigating the fast-paced semiconductor sector.
* Hosted by Fei Yu* In this episode, I interviewed Victor Shevtsov, Executive Vice President Supply Chain and a Member of the Executive Committee at The Carlsberg Group. We discussed Carlsberg's significant health and safety achievements, including zero life-changing accidents, a 10% reduction in lost time accidents, and a 15% drop in accident rates. Victor shared Carlsberg's sustainability efforts, such as reducing energy and water consumption by 20% and CO2 emissions by 15%. He also mentioned ...
* Hosted by Fei Yu* In this episode, I interviewed Eduardo Bachiega, the Chief Supply Chain Officer at Nomad Foods. We discussed his journey and the company’s growth. Nomad Foods, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, has integrated brands like Birds Eye, Igloo, and Findus and has grown its revenue from €1 billion to nearly €3 billion. Eduardo emphasizes the importance of people, innovation, and sustainability. He discussed the challenges of integrating acquisitions, balancing innovation, c...
What an incredible journey this season has been! 200 Episodes! Over the past 28 episodes of 2024, we’ve had the privilege of hearing from some of the greatest minds in the supply chain and logistics industry. Together, we have discussed some of the major trends, learned from inspiring leaders, and explored practical ways to navigate this ever-changing industry and the new reality that we live in today. As we wrap up Season 1, we just want to say thank you to all the guests for their wisdom and o...
* Hosted by Stéphanie Moles-Rota* In this episode, I am joined by Karen-Marie Katholm, Chief Integrated Supply Chain Officer and Member of the Executive Committee at AkzoNobel. Karen-Marie shared with me her career journey, emphasizing some of the key inflection points that helped her become the leader she is today, including her transition from procurement to broader supply chain roles and the challenges she faced. She also shared some of the sustainability efforts within AkzoNobel, specificall...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed Vikram Agarwal, Danone's Chief Operations Officer. Vikram provided an overview of Danone's global supply chain, which spans 55 countries and 48,000 employees and integrates economic growth with social responsibility. As well as shared his career journey and the strategic role of supply chains in driving business value. Vikram outlines Danone’s approach to balancing short-term challenges with long-term vision using the 4C framework: Custo...
In this episode, I interviewed Donato Giorgio, President of Global Supply Chain for Essity, where we discussed the importance of continuous learning, mentorship, and holistic leadership. Donato shared his journey in supply chain, highlighting some of the inflection points, like starting at Procter & Gamble and the joining the SCA Group and subsequently Essity. We also discussed Essity’s supply chain transformation, diving more into the integration of procurement, manufacturing, and logistics...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Heidi K. Gardner, author of “Smarter Collaboration,” where we discussed the concepts in her book. We explored the topics of collaboration in teams, breaking down silos, and their importance in hiring and M&A. We also delved into the challenges that hinder collaboration, ways to address them, and how they assist their clients in this aspect. Aside from that, we also discussed the importance of trust- defining and differentiating c...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed the renowned business leader Shiv Shivakumar to uncover the fundamental principles and pivotal moments in his illustrious career. Shiv has held top leadership roles at iconic companies like Aditya Birla Group, PepsiCo India, and Nokia. He shares the importance of preparation, the power of mentorship, and the value of benchmarking oneself against industry leaders. He also discusses how he navigated defining moments in his journey, from be...
* Hosted by Stéphanie Moles-Rota* In this episode, I interviewed David Boulanger, the Chief Supply Chain Officer at Arla Foods. David shares insights from his 26-year career, highlighting key inflection points that shaped his journey from an unexpected entry into the food industry to leading global supply chain operations. David discusses navigating supply chain challenges, including a "perfect storm" in the infant formula industry. He emphasizes the critical role of people in overcoming crises ...
* Hosted by Stéphanie Moles-Rota* In this episode, I interviewed Arnoud Buizer, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Interfood. Arnoud talked about critical moments in his career, from wanting to be a farmer to finding his passion in supply chain management. He shared lessons he learned working at big companies, like the importance of staying curious and not being afraid to make mistakes. Arnoud also spoke about a personal challenge: his son's cystic fibrosis diagnosis, which motivated him to start a c...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed Tarek Amine, Bechtel's Chief Supply Chain Officer. We discussed his 25-year career, the evolution of the supply chain at the global engineering firm, and Bechtel's approach to assembling teams and stand-up infrastructure for multi-billion dollar projects in remote areas. Tarek also shared insights into talent acquisition, cultural diversity, emerging trends, and advice for young professionals starting their careers. Discover more details...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed Jackie Sturm, Corporate Vice President for Global Supply Chain Operations at Intel. We discussed her career journey, which has spanned over 30 years. Jackie shared key inflection points that shaped her path, from learning from industry icons to overcoming challenges. She discussed the need for a strategic financial perspective, diverse experiences, and digital fluency in the face of AI and data-driven decision-making. She also stressed t...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed Frank McKay, Jabil's Chief Supply Chain and Procurement Officer. We discussed Frank's 30-year career journey in supply chain and procurement leadership, including key inflection points like gaining international experience and taking on new challenges. Frank also shared insights from his role at Jabil on topics like cost reduction strategies, developing strong supplier relationships, transforming the supply chain into a profit center, an...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed Donna Warton, Microsoft's CVP of Supply Chain and Sustainability. She shares insights from her career progression across finance, Motorola, and Dell and now leading the supply chain for Microsoft's Windows and Devices division. We also discussed Microsoft's innovations in AI-powered devices, sustainability initiatives focusing on circularity and carbon reduction, practical applications of AI in supply chain management, and Microsoft's cu...
* Hosted by Radu Palamariu* This podcast episode features an interview with David Nothacker, co-founder and CEO of Sennder, a leading digital road freight forwarder in Europe. David shares insights into digitalizing the inefficient and fragmented trucking industry, key inflection points in his entrepreneurial journey, and overcoming challenges. Our conversation also covers the future of trucking with autonomous and electric vehicles, sustainability initiatives, and the importance of talent attra...
