Supply Chain Now

Supply Chain Leadership in the Never Normal: A Power Panel of Supply Chain Leaders Rewriting the Rules

Operating conditions for supply chains continue to shift faster than most organizations can plan for. Labor pressures, evolving customer expectations, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasingly complex global networks are forcing leaders to rethink how decisions get made and how teams stay aligned when certainty is no longer guaranteed.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Mario Morhy, Vice President, Integrated Planning at Sam’s Club, Mike Gomes, Vice President of Supply Chain North America at Perfetti Van Melle, and Rodrigo Alponti, Senior Vice President Global Supply Chain at STADA Group. Together, they reflect on how supply chain leadership has evolved over the past year, moving away from linear optimization toward adaptability, resilience, and closer collaboration with customers and partners.The panel also explores how AI is accelerating the pace of insight and action, enabling faster scenario planning, stronger visibility, and more empowered teams. Rather than replacing people, AI emerges as a decision-making copilot, freeing leaders to focus on risk, tradeoffs, and long-term value. The conversation closes with practical leadership takeaways on learning faster than competitors, asking better questions, and building cultures that can turn volatility into advantage.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:58) Mike Gomes shares supply chain leadership insights(04:16) Rodrigo Alponti's global supply chain perspective(06:20) Mario Morhy's role at Sam's Club(08:18) Supply chain challenges and innovations discussed(18:05) Customer centricity in the never normal(25:18) Current challenges in today's supply chain(30:12) Walmart's AI integration in supply chain(32:01) AI as a copilot for supply chain employees(38:07) Transforming volatility into competitive advantage(43:02) Key questions leaders should ask their teamsAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Mario Morhy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariomorhy/Learn more about Sam’s Club: https://www.samsclub.com/Connect with Mike Gomes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-gomes-282228/Learn more about Perfetti Van Melle: https://www.perfettivanmelle.com/Connect with Rodrigo Alponti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigo-alponti-a9873/Learn more about STADA Group: https://www.stada.com/Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- 2026 Procurement Priorities: What’s Changing (and What You Need to Do First): https://bit.ly/3Yodf0ZWEBINAR- Building the New Manufacturing Workforce: https://bit.ly/4iVb4vlWEBINAR- Building the Foundation for Agentic AI in the Modern Supply Chain: https://bit.ly/4s634vNThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/supply-chain-leadership-never-normal-power-panel-supply-chain-leaders-rewriting-rules-1534

The Buzz: Counting Down to Manifest

The future of supply chain is entering a pivotal moment, and in this episode of Supply Chain Now, we unpack the trends, risks, and realities that will define 2026 and beyond. From geopolitical uncertainty and economic turbulence to shifting trade policy, energy innovation, and workforce challenges, this conversation cuts through the headlines to focus on what supply chain leaders must be ready for now. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EPG!Listen in as hosts Scott Luton and Jake Barr break down the most critical forces reshaping global supply chains — and what they mean for strategy, resilience, and execution in an increasingly volatile world. They’re joined by special guest Tanzil Uddin, Senior Vice President of Content and Partnerships at Manifest, who brings a unique perspective on industry leadership, community, and the broader role supply chains play in society.Together, they discuss:Why geopolitical risk and economic turbulence are no longer episodic — and how leaders must redesign supply chains for constant volatilityThe potential implications of upcoming Supreme Court decisions on tariffs and what normalization of trade disruption could mean for 2026 planningFive defining trends executives should be watching closely, including supply chain fragmentation, cost optimization pressures, AI recalibration, and persistent workforce challengesHow rising energy demands tied to AI and advanced technology are fueling renewed interest in nuclear innovationWhy National Human Trafficking Prevention Month matters to the supply chain community — and how supply chain professionals can play a meaningful role in combating human trafficking through awareness and actionTune in for a timely, thought-provoking discussion that connects strategy, technology, and social responsibility — and challenges supply chain leaders to stay agile, informed, and purpose-driven as they navigate what’s next.Additional Links & Resources:EPG: https://epg.com/ With That Said:https://bit.ly/WTS-11-JAN-2026 American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN): https://www.alanaid.org/operations/ Manifest: https://partner.manife.st/partner/supplychainnow 5 supply chain management trends to watch in 2026: https://bit.ly/2026-SCM-TrendsSupreme Court holds off on Trump tariff ruling for now — what’s at stake for economy: https://bit.ly/3LvCDiHRolls-Royce SMR project could kickstart EU supply chain: https://bit.ly/4jERJ1YInland Kenworth supports human trafficking awareness in many ways: https://bit.ly/IK-Combats-TraffickingInside Outdoor Cap's Warehouse: https://bit.ly/3N3q6DvJoin us in Las Vegas for Manifest 2026: https://bit.ly/4qegTXzSupply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ Connect with Tanzil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanziluddin/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Jake Barr and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-counting-manifest-1533

Unveiling the Future of Supply Chain: A Primer for 2026

Welcome to 2026 — and welcome to Supply Chain Now. In this episode, we kick off the new year by welcoming new listeners and sharing how you can engage with one of the world’s most active supply chain communities.We reflect on an incredible 2025, including our milestone of ranking in the top 1% of podcasts globally, and break down what makes Supply Chain Now unique — from three weekly podcast episodes to live streams, webinars, and conversations that bring supply chain professionals together from around the world.Looking ahead, we tease what’s coming next in 2026, including new miniseries, fresh formats, and a continued focus on innovation, connection, and meaningful industry dialogue. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just discovering the show, this episode is your invitation to plug in, join the conversation, and help shape what’s next for the global supply chain community.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comLearn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/our-team-and-hosts/Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- 2026 Procurement Priorities: What’s Changing (and What You Need to Do First): https://bit.ly/3Yodf0ZWEBINAR- Building the New Manufacturing Workforce: https://bit.ly/4iVb4vlWEBINAR- Building the Foundation for Agentic AI in the Modern Supply Chain: https://bit.ly/4s634vNThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/unveiling-future-supply-chain-primer-2026-1532

Innovative Industry Leaders Transforming Supply Chain Planning

Supply chains around the world are navigating relentless disruption, rising expectations for speed and resilience, and rapid advances in AI-driven decision-making. Leaders are under pressure to move beyond experimentation and deliver measurable value faster than ever.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton sits down with two industry leaders: Philip Vervloesem, Chief Commercial & Markets Officer at OMP, and Scott Barnard, Managing Director at Bluecrux, live from the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit in Denver. Drawing on their work across global enterprises, both guests discuss how organizations translate advanced planning concepts into real-world results.The interviews with Philip and Scott explore the evolution toward autonomous, data-driven planning, the importance of self-funding ROI models, and why successful transformation depends on blending human expertise with machine intelligence. From OMP’s Unison platform and rapid value delivery approach to Bluecrux’s AI-powered analytics and decision intelligence capabilities, the conversation highlights how supply chain leaders can move from surface-level automation to profound, scalable impact.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(00:19) Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit overview(01:15) Interview with Philip Vervloesem from OMP(02:05) OMP's approach to supply chain optimization(03:52) Challenges and innovations in supply chain(08:09) Interview with Scott Barnard from Bluecrux(09:03) Bluecrux's Solutions and Innovations(11:08) AI and supply chain balance(13:33) Upcoming eventsAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Philip Vervloesem: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvervloesemConnect with Scott Barnard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-barnard-a350814/Learn more about OMP: https://www.omp.comLearn more about Bluecrux: https://www.bluecrux.comLearn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com

The Buzz: Supply Chain Predictions for 2026

The future of supply chain is entering a defining chapter, and today, we dig into the signals, shifts, and strategic decisions shaping what’s ahead in 2026. From ongoing trade volatility and labor disruptions to the accelerating role of AI and integrated planning, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on what leaders must prepare for now. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EPG!Listen in as hosts Scott Luton and Karin Bursa break down the most important developments influencing global supply chains — and how leaders can build resilience in the face of constant disruption. They’re joined by special guest Alex Pradhan, Founder of Alchemy Advisors, who brings practical perspective on how organizations are adapting strategy, technology, and decision-making for what’s next.Together, they discuss:Why systemic disruptions — from trade policy shifts and labor unrest to natural disasters — are no longer exceptions, and how leaders must rethink resilience as a core capabilityKey predictions for 2026, including the normalization of tariff impacts, a potential U.S. manufacturing boom, and the continued maturation of integrated business planningHow AI is moving beyond experimentation to accelerate decision-making, supported by a real-world case study from a major beauty brand using AI to speed product developmentWhy orchestration matters more than ever, and how system-level decisions can move outcomes instead of simply reacting to disruptionHow AI may soon become foundational to employee productivity, shifting the conversation from functional ROI to long-term human capital developmentTune in as we connect the dots, challenge assumptions, and explore what these trends mean for manufacturers, retailers, and supply chain leaders preparing for 2026 and beyond.Additional Links & Resources:Learn more about EPG: https://epg.comWith That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-4JAN2025American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN): https://www.alanaid.org/operations/Tariffs, strikes, and tragedies: How 2025 transformed supply chains: https://bit.ly/big-2025-storiesInside Outdoor Cap's Warehouse: How Voice Picking Elevated Daily Operations: https://bit.ly/3N3q6Dv Coty is Speeding up Its Supply Chain to Turn Around Sagging Sales: https://bit.ly/496B17Z Tensions Rise Between Consumer Expectations and Consumer Supply Chains: https://bit.ly/44ZQft8 All ROI is About Human Capital - Making All Employees More Valuable: https://bit.ly/45EU1rY Orchestration in Isolation: https://bit.ly/3YoXIOE Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandrapradhan/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- 2026 Procurement Priorities: What’s Changing (and What You Need to Do First): https://bit.ly/3Yodf0ZWEBINAR- Building the New Manufacturing Workforce: https://bit.ly/4iVb4vlWEBINAR- Building the Foundation for Agentic AI in the Modern Supply Chain: https://bit.ly/4s634vNThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Karin Bursa and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-supply-chain-predictions-2026