Supply Chain Pioneers
Welcome to the Supply Chain Pioneers podcast, where we highlight industry leaders on the forefront of innovation and technology in planning, procurement, and logistics. Hosted by your supply chain pro to know Ulf Venne. ------ About Ulf Venne: Over the past 10 years, Ulf Venne has been instrumental in raising awareness of supply chain risk management and helping clients improve their supply chain resilience and agility. He has authored and published multiple articles and white papers on resilience, agility and sustainability tools and methodologies in numerous books and magazines and was recognized as a 2023 Supply Chain Pro-to-Know. Ulf Venne is the world 1st supply chain thought memer and a regular conference speaker, workshop moderator, and LinkedIn as well as Youtube Content creator. Before joining Everstream Analytics, Ulf Venne worked as a supply chain operations lead in the telecom industry, where he received multiple awards for supply chain excellence and his implementation of a supply chain risk management program. Ulf Venne holds a Magister Artium degree in Sinology (Chinese culture and language) and Economics from the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulf-venne-a885a633/ https://www.youtube.com/@ulfv
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
#supplychain #warehouse #automation #podcast #logistics #procurement #ai #quality
In this episode of the Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast, host Ulf Venne is joined by Torben Schultze, Sales Director at Ranpak Automation. They discuss Torben's career journey from industrial engineering and quality management in the automotive sector to his current role in supply chain management with a focus on inter-logistics.
Torben shares valuable insights on the importance of top-down quality management, the role of automation in modern warehousing, and the exciting advancements and challenges in the field. They also delve into Ranpak Automation’s innovative solutions such as automated packing machines, height-reducing machines, and the implications of new European regulations on packaging efficiency.
Tune in for an enriching discussion on the future of supply chain technologies and the parallels between the fast-paced world of field hockey and supply chain dynamics.
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:35 Meet Torben Schultze: Early Career and Sales Journey
02:14 Insights on Quality Management in Automotive Industry
04:09 Transition to Supply Chain Management
06:40 Ranpak Automation: Innovations and Products
10:25 Future Trends in Intralogistics and Automation
14:25 European Regulations and Their Impact
20:39 Hobby Question: Field Hockey and Supply Chain Management
22:37 Conclusion and Farewell

Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Sunder Balakrishnan talks Supply Chain: AI, Agents, and Strategy
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Welcome to a new episode of Supply Chain Pioneers! Join us as we dive deep into the world of supply chain analytics with Sunder Balakrishnan, Director of Supply Chain Analytics at LatentView.
Sunder shares his journey from his roots in Mumbai, his experience across various industry verticals, and his passion for data-driven process improvements. Learn how Sunder navigated his career through roles at Infosys and PWC, his insights on the adoption of AI in supply chain management, and the exciting potential of agentic AI and digital twins.
Additionally, Sunder discusses how human-centric decision-making augments AI solutions, making supply chains more resilient and efficient. Whether you're an industry expert or just curious about AI in supply chain, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:37 Sundar's Background and Passion for Supply Chain
01:43 Early Career and Transition to Supply Chain Consulting
04:03 Process Engineering and Infosys Experience
08:08 Digital Strategy at PWC
15:12 AI and Machine Learning in Supply Chain
20:43 Current Role at LatentView
27:04 Future of AI in Supply Chain
33:40 Personal Interests and Conclusion

Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Constantine Limberakis talks Supply Chain: Procurement, Solutions, and Messaging
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #marketing #messaging #product #ai #risk #sustainability #compliance
In this episode of Supply Chain Pioneers, host Ulf Venne speaks with Constantin Limberakis, founder and president of Liberis Consulting. Constantin discusses his extensive 20+ year career in the procurement and supply chain industry, starting from his days in technology implementation and consulting with Arthur Anderson.
He shares insights into his passion for procurement, the evolution of supply chain management, and the importance of supplier management. Constantin also delves into his experiences in product marketing, the significance of understanding and effectively communicating a product's unique value, and the emerging technologies he's currently excited about, such as AI and quantum computing.
Finally, he touches on historical events that have shaped global trade, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us for an engaging conversation on the future of supply chain management, innovative technologies, and effective market positioning.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast
00:39 Meet Constantin Limberakis
01:19 Constantin's Journey into Supply Chain Management
02:34 The Fascination with Procurement
05:07 The Role of Trust in Software Implementation
06:48 Career Transitions and Key Characteristics
10:23 Favorite Solutions in Supply Chain
11:57 Founding Liberis Consulting
13:41 Solving the Mousetrap Problem
14:17 The Importance of Founder's Messaging
14:29 Understanding Technology and Buzzwords
16:05 AI in Supply Chains by 2025
20:04 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Marketing
20:57 Emerging Technologies with Growth Potential
23:41 Historical Events Impacting Global Trade
25:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Corey Rhodes talks Supply Chain: Operations,Sales, and Leadership
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
#supplychain #logistics #procurement #risk #resilience #sustainability #ai #leadership
In this episode of Supply Chain Pioneers, hosted by Ulf Venne, we welcome Corey Rhades, CEO of Everstream Analytics. Corey shares his extensive journey in supply chain management, starting from his early days at K Line America to his current role at EverStream Analytics.
The conversation traverses through Corey's experience in sales and operational logistics, his tenure at various tech companies in the supply chain space, and his insights into supply chain risk management. He also discusses the complexities and innovations in the industry, the impact of predictive analytics, and his vision for the future of supply chain risk intelligence.
This engaging dialogue is a must-watch for anyone interested in the advancements and challenges within the supply chain sector.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
00:38 Meet Corey Rhodes, CEO of EverStream
01:33 Corey's Journey in Supply Chain Management
04:19 Transition to Supply Chain Solutions
08:03 From Sales to Executive Management
13:27 Challenges and Successes at Inseo
18:15 Joining EverStream Analytics
26:58 Future of Supply Chain Risk Management
28:58 Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro

Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Greg Schlegel talks Supply Chain: Explosions, Risks, and Universities
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #ai #risk #scrm #risk #change #transformation
In this episode of Supply Chain Pioneers Greg Schlegel, founder of the Supply Chain Risk Consortium and co-author of the book 'Supply Chain Risk Management and Emerging Discipline.' talks supply chain. Greg shares his extensive experience in supply chain management and risk, detailing his journey from a practitioner to an academician.
They discuss the evolution of supply chain risk management, the importance of integrating modern technologies like AI/ML, and the significance of culture in risk management. The conversation also delves into Greg's career shifts, IBM's innovative cycles, and practical steps for companies to improve their supply chain risk management within 90 days.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
00:35 Meet Greg Schlegel: A Pioneer in Supply Chain Risk Management
02:44 Greg's Early Career and Motivation
04:07 Challenges in the Chemical Industry
08:28 Transition to IBM and New Skills
09:56 IBM's Go-to-Market Strategy and Alliance Building
13:48 The Evolution of Supply Chain Management
20:01 Greg's Transition to Academia
23:19 Surprising Insights from Teaching Supply Chain Risk
25:28 Developing the Supply Chain Management Assessment Tool
26:47 Founding the Supply Chain Risk Management Consortium
28:58 Consortium Growth and Activities
31:03 Challenges and Strategies in Supply Chain Risk Management
40:28 Future of Supply Chain Risk Management
43:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
SCP Family & Friends Edition: Supply Chain, Risk, and 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #risk #ai #transformation
In this episode of Supply Chain Pioneers, host Ulf welcomes guests Shehrina Kamal, David Shillingford, and Jon Bovit for the 'Family and Friends Edition'. The discussion dives into supply chain risks and innovations predicted for 2025. Topics include trade wars, severe weather, AI technology, sustainability, compliance, and the pivotal roles of supply chain and risk management.
Tune in for insightful predictions and expert perspectives on transforming supply chains amidst a landscape of emerging challenges and opportunities.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
00:39 Meet the Guests: Family and Friends Edition
01:32 Risks in Supply Chain 2025
08:05 The Role of AI in Supply Chains
15:05 Compliance and Sustainability in Supply Chains
24:40 Emerging Technologies in Supply Chain Management
28:17 Looking Forward to 2025
33:01 Conclusion and Farewell

Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Zera Zheng talks Supply Chain: Risk, Logistics, and Art
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
#supplychain #logistics #procurement #risk #business #continuity
Welcome to the Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast. In this episode, host Ulf discusses with Zera Zheng, the Global Head of Business Resilience Consulting at Maersk. Zera shares her journey from studying business and economics to specializing in business resilience, detailing her diverse experiences across various roles.
She sheds light on the importance of proactive risk management, the complexities of modern supply chain challenges, and the significance of breaking silos within organizations. Zera also talks about the evolving landscape of supply chain resilience and offers practical advice for businesses aiming to enhance their resilience strategies.
Don't miss her insights on the interconnectedness of geopolitical risks, the necessity for alternative solutions, and the growing trend of leveraging external expertise for better risk management.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
00:35 Meet Zera Zheng: Global Head of Business Resilience at Maersk
01:38 Zera's Career Journey: From Business and Economics to Health and Safety
05:32 The Importance of Green Logistics
08:13 Building a Resilience Framework at Damco
13:44 The Role of Resilience in Modern Supply Chains
18:34 Mergers and New Opportunities at Maersk
22:02 Advising Clients on Risk Management
22:50 The Growing Importance of Supply Chain Resilience
29:47 Monitoring Supply Chain Risks: Insights from Zera Zheng
35:59 Art and Supply Chain Resilience: A Unique Perspective
39:38 Conclusion and Farewell

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Holiday Extravaganza with Jon W. Hansen, Nadine Kiratli-Schneider, and Jon Davis
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #ai #risk #sustainability #compliance
Welcome to a special holiday edition of the Supply Chain Pioneers podcast. In this episode, host Ulf Venne is joined by industry experts Dr. Nadine Kiratli-Schneider, Jon W. Hansen, and Jon Davis to reflect on the past year, share personal holiday stories, discuss the complexities and challenges in supply chain management, and offer predictions for the upcoming year. Tune in for engaging and fun discussions on the role of technology, the impact of global events, and insights into maintaining resilience in the ever-evolving world of supply chains.
Don't miss the fun anecdotes, movie analogies, and favorite Christmas songs as they celebrate the holiday season. Subscribe and stay informed on the latest in supply chain innovation!

Let's Collaborate
You want to be on supply chain pioneers or know a pioneer that should be on? Don't hesitate to reach out!
You can contact me on LinkedIn: Ulf Venne | LinkedIn
Looking forward to hear from you.