Shows
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestAI Agents Running Supply Chains: A Reality CheckIn this episode, David Warrick, former Head of Supply Chain at Microsoft, sits down with Arun Kumar Bhaskara-Baba—former Chief Digital & Information Officer at Honeywell Aerospace and longtime Johnson & Johnson supply chain leader—to unpack a critical question:👉 Are we rushing into agentic AI without thinking through the consequences?From the risk of repeating old silo mistakes to the importance of governance, architecture, and purpose-driven AI design, Arun shares a powerful framework for how supply chain leaders can adopt agents without losing control.💡 “The old problem was data silos—now we risk creating agent silos. A...
2025-08-0819 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestLeading AI-Powered Supply Chains: Align, Adapt, AutomateIn this episode of the Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, John Church reconnects with Rick McDonald, former Chief Supply Chain Officer at Clorox, to explore what really drives resilience, speed, and performance in today’s supply chains.They talk candidly about:- The power of true business alignment—and why most companies miss it- Why great supply chain leaders think like general managers- How planning must evolve to meet the speed of the consumer- Adaptive planning, AI, and overcoming legacy system drag- The overlooked role of change mana...
2025-08-0118 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestWall Street vs Supply Chains: The Cost of Listening to Analysts, Not OperatorsIn this episode of the Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, John Church sits down with leading economist Walter Kemmsies to unpack the economic forces shaping global supply chains in 2025.From tariff risk and port strategy to the shifting geography of global sourcing and the rise of “platform economics,” Walter shares sharp insights from decades of advising importers, exporters, and infrastructure providers.Key topics include:- The barbell strategy: sourcing and port diversification- Why LA/Long Beach isn’t always the best answer anymore- How Wall Street’s models get it wrong...
2025-07-2620 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestWill AI Replace Supply Chain Leaders? Insights from 2 Food Supply Chain ExecutivesIn this News Digest episode, John Church is joined by former Grocery Outlet CSCO Tim Scott to unpack the evolving dynamics of grocery supply chains—from the role of AI to the importance of trust-based collaboration in a hyper-competitive, low-margin world.Tim shares insights on:- Why disruptions often make collaboration harder, not easier- What makes a manufacturer a trusted retail partner- How AI can enhance—but not replace—critical human judgment- The risk of losing learning moments if automation eliminates “failures”- What the next generation of supply chain lead...
2025-07-0219 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestWhat’s Next in AI + Supply Chain? Plug & Play Summit Takeaways with Two Supply Chain ExecutivesIn this episode of the Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, David Warrick and Sasha Koff reflect on their recent experience at the Plug & Play Technology Summit in California.From GenAI and fit-for-purpose solutions to the growing pains of startup–enterprise partnerships, they explore what’s truly happening in the innovation trenches. Topics include decentralized innovation, the role of functional teams, governance challenges, the value of incremental automation, and the missed opportunity for true business model redesign.AI is moving fast—but are organizations ready to think beyond automation and into transformation?Subscribe to our...
2025-06-2116 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestVirtual Vertical Integration: The New Supply Chain Ecosystem PlaybookIn this episode of the Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, John Church and David Warrick unpack the latest tariff turbulence and reflect on a recent roundtable exploring connected ecosystems.They discuss why visibility alone isn’t enough, how AI can unlock ecosystem value, and why success lies in solving one use case at a time. From virtual vertical integration to agile implementation, they explore the mindset shift needed to move from talk to traction—and why the age of the massive, never-ending supply chain project is over.Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chai...
2025-06-0113 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestNot Your Grandpa’s Factory: Onshoring and The Lack of High-Tech Manufacturing TalentIn this episode of the Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, John Church and Anne Robinson (former Chief Strategy Officer at Kinaxis and supply chain executive at Verizon and Cisco) explore the dramatic shifts in global manufacturing.They unpack why companies are rushing to move production closer to customers, the rise of advanced automated factories like Keen Footwear's new Kentucky plant, and the urgent need to rethink talent strategies for modern supply chain roles. From reshoring risks to labor shortages and price-sensitive consumers—this conversation tackles the big strategic questions facing supply chain leaders in 2025.Su...
2025-05-2216 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestCEOs want TARIFF MITIGATION Strategies from their Supply Chain Executives. Here is their answer...In this week’s News Digest, John Church is joined by Nadim Kilzi and Peter Gibbons, former President of Supply Chain at 3M, for a candid discussion on how today’s volatility—tariffs, cyber threats, and geopolitical uncertainty—demands a different kind of leadership. With a focus on operational control, cross-functional collaboration, and business agility, this episode offers pragmatic insights for supply chain and business leaders preparing for the next wave of disruption.Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a recent news event and its...
2025-05-1622 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News Digest38-year General Motors Veteran: How Automotive Supply Chains React Amid Tariff VolatilityJoin David Warrick and former GM supply chain executive Bill Hurles for a timely discussion on how automotive leaders are navigating the current tariff turmoil. Bill reflects on key principles—like protecting supplier relationships, reducing complexity, and avoiding hasty decisions—that helped General Motors weather major crises. Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form a better opinion for your own supply chain strategy. Request to join o...
2025-05-0817 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestRaise Prices Now or Wait? Supply chains under pressure from delayed tariff impacts, cash crunch decisions, and why overordering is haunting Q3 and Q4In this week’s News Digest, John Church, fmr CSCO at General Mills, and Nadim Kilzi, fmr CSCO at PLZ, unpack the ripple effects of recent tariff decisions—and why the real pain is only starting to show. From overordering to inventory drag, companies are now facing tough choices: raise prices and risk demand, or hold off and absorb the cost?Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form...
2025-05-0110 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestTariff Impact Timeline: Supply Chain Executives on Consumer Impact for Retail, Halloween, ChristmasThe tariff headlines keep changing—but the impact is already locked in. In this episode of the Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, David Warrick and former Macy’s CSCO Dennis Mullahy break down when and how the real pain will hit supply chains and consumers. From order cycles to seasonal inventories, they explain why Q3 2025 is shaping up to be the turning point—no matter what happens next in Washington.Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a recent news event and its impact...
2025-04-2427 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestChief Procurement Officer on Tariffs, Currency Shifts, and Navigating ProtectionismHow should procurement leaders respond when tariffs, currency shifts, and supply disruptions hit all at once? In this episode, former Johnson & Johnson CPO Shashi Mandapaty joins John Church, former CSCO at General Mills, to break down the chaos—and the opportunity. Learn why visibility, agility, and engineering resilience in your supplier network matter more than ever.👉 Don’t miss this executive-level view into how the best companies are adapting to today’s evolving global trade landscape.Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a re...
2025-04-1718 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestCovid, Tariffs, and Volcanos: How to Outsmart Supply Chain DisruptionsIn today’s volatile global trade environment, supply chain leaders face constant policy whiplash. But amidst the chaos, there’s opportunity. Former WestRock SVP Bill Hutchinson joins David Warrick, former Microsoft Head of Supply Chain, to unpack how smart companies are turning disruption into competitive advantage — by investing in supply chain flexibility, scenario planning, and long-term resilience.Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form a better...
2025-04-1418 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestCHINA'S Long Game VERSUS 90 More Days of Tariff UNCERTAINTY for the U.S.In this episode of Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, John Church, former CSCO at General Mills, sits down with Tony Milando, former CSCO at Xylem and Black & Decker, to unpack what smart supply chain leaders should be doing right now.Why China’s decades-long strategy is a supply chain advantageHow U.S. companies are stuck in a cycle of quarterly panicThe critical role of supplier communication & transparencyWhy it’s not the time to restructure your supply chain (yet)How AI, dynamic pricing models, and real-time data are essential tools...
2025-04-1114 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestPlaying OFFENSE in a Trade War – The Hidden UPSIDE for Europe and AsiaAs the U.S. pauses reciprocal tariffs for 90 days—except for a steep 125% tariff on China—John Church, former Chief Supply Chain Officer at General Mills, and Matt Spooner, former supply chain & finance executive at ABB, break down what this means for global business. Is this a chance to regroup or just the calm before the next disruption?Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form a better opin...
2025-04-1018 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestSr. Supply Chain Executives on the IMPACT of Liberation Day TARIFFS and what to do about itIn this week’s Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, David Warrick is joined by Sasha Koff and John Church to unpack the impact of the newly announced universal and reciprocal tariffs—some as high as 56%.From the unexpected impact on Vietnam to the ripple effects on small businesses, electronics, and retail, the trio breaks down what’s real, what’s misunderstood, and what comes next. Subscribe to this weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a recent news event and its impact on global supply ch...
2025-04-0422 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestTariffs, Oats, and Automation: How TARIFFS shake up FOOD supply chainsThe weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest features active and former supply chain executives digesting a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form a better opinion for your own supply chain strategy. In this episode, David Warrick, former Chief Supply Chain Technology Officer at Microsoft, and Nadim Kilzi, former Chief Supply Chain Officer at PLZ, break down how new tariffs could disrupt ingredient sourcing, certifications, and traceability across the food & beverage industry. They also discuss why automation and AI are essential to manage the next disruption.
2025-03-2613 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestRetail Supply Chain Executive on how to respond to TARIFFS | Weekly News DigestThe weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest features active and former supply chain executives digesting a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form a better opinion for your own supply chain strategy. In this episode, David Warrick, former Chief Supply Chain Technology Officer at Microsoft, and Dennis Mullahy, former Chief Supply Chain Officer at Macy's break down the impact of tariffs on retail supply chains, exploring how executives can respond through smarter sourcing, contract renegotiations, AI-driven efficiencies, and data-driven decision-making to stay ahead of disruption.R...
2025-03-2017 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestBringing back US MANUFACTURING from overseas: Is it realistic?This weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest features active and former supply chain executives digesting a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form a better opinion for your own supply chain strategy. In this edition, we feature John Church, former CSCO at General Mills, and Sasha Koff, former SVP Digital Supply Chain at Dell. Following the recent developments with tariffs, they discuss how supply chain leaders may want to think about onshoring their manufacturing operations. Request to join our next invitation-only Masters of Supply Chain Ro...
2025-03-1713 min
The Masters of Supply Chain News DigestTwo Senior Supply Chain Executives on how to deal with TARIFF uncertaintyThis weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest features current and former supply chain executives digesting a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form a better opinion for your own supply chain strategy. In this edition, we feature David Warrick, former Head of Supply Chain at Microsoft, and John Church, former CSCO at General Mills. Following the recent developments with tariffs, they discuss how supply chain leaders may want to respond in this changing environment. Request to join our next invitation-only Masters of Supply Chain Roundtable, wh...
2025-03-1714 min