Leaders in Supply Chain and Logistics Podcast

*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...

*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...

*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 headc...

*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 mig...

*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...

*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 y...

*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 ...

*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, geopoli...

*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 tec...

*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 trans...

*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 insi...

*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 ope...

*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...

*Hosted by Fei Yu*

In this episode, I interviewed Thomas Berden, COO of VAT Group where we discussed VAT’s strategy of staying ahead of the curve, investing in capacities and capabilities, and maintaining a flexible cost model with a 25% temporary workforce. Thomas emphasizes the importance of customer focus, technology innovation, and a decentralized quality organization. He also highlights the challenges of managing a gl...

*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 reduci...

*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 discu...

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...

*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...

*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 ap...