Total Cost of Ownership: Know your Products with Charlie Lousignont - Grounded Podcast - Episode # 007

Welcome to the newest episode of Grounded! Today’s guest has a genuine enthusiasm for the food service industry and has spent over 50 years in businesses like Red Lobster, Aramark, Fazoli’s, Long John Silvers, and Applebee’s. Please welcome our guest, Charlie Lousignont, previously the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management at Brinker International. Charlie joins host Lauren Mitchell to talk about visibility to the supply chain and how to pick your produce items. He shares some advice on finding something that's going to allow you to learn and grow your career. 

Takeaways:

• Charlie encourages audiences to embrace the pivotal principle that steers career decision-making. By honing in on the elements that have proven fruitful in your journey, you can optimize your professional trajectory. Charlie emphasizes the significance of keeping your company's stakeholders closely aligned with your decisions, while also prioritizing the guest experience. It is crucial to merge diverse interests at play to formulate decisions that benefit all parties involved. 
• Before delving into supply chain management, Charlie's earlier endeavors revolved around conducting freezer audits. Immersed in subzero temperatures, he diligently counted inventory, ensuring the availability and freshness of produce. Despite the nature of the job, it shed light on the restaurant industry—insufficient data infrastructure. This experience prompted Charlie to prioritize the importance of the supply chain and its role in overall operational success.
• The realm of supply chain management has transformed into a sophisticated sourcing strategist evolving over several decades. However, the COVID-19 pandemic truly illuminated the indispensable nature of the supply chain. From this experience, Charlie gleaned two invaluable insights into supply chain operations: a comprehensive understanding of its functioning, and an appreciation for the unique considerations that shape supply chain dynamics in the food industry.
• A crucial factor that propels decision-making is a thorough comprehension of the total cost of ownership. It entails considering the specific attributes each product must embody to align with the brand's essence. At Brinker, suppliers occupied a position within the company's framework, as they played an instrumental role in the key pillars that underpin their success: burgers, crispers, and margaritas. Their commitment to selecting and maintaining exceptional suppliers contributed to their ability to deliver.
• Charlie discusses the responsibility of all restaurant owners lies in effectively managing the procurement of specific items. It is important to understand the journey through which these products make their way into the restaurant. Achieving this understanding creates strong partnerships with suppliers, engaging in discussions about the challenges they encounter and how they navigate. By participating, restaurateurs can gain insights that enable them to make informed decisions and ensure seamless procurement processes.
• At Brinker, their mission was to eradicate inefficiencies within the supply chain while also fostering close collaborations with suppliers while reducing overall costs. The goal of Brinker was to deliver enhanced value to consumers and their families. Charlie's achievement at Brinker was creating a customer-centric approach that ensured prices remained accessible. By striking the right balance between value and affordability, Brinker effectively generated lasting satisfaction and loyalty among its customers.

Quote of the Show:

• “Don't let your pursuit of perfection be the enemy of the good.” - Charlie Lousignont

Links:

• Charlie Lousignont’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-lousignont-b7b18820/ 
• Brinker International’s Website: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}