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
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

5 hours ago
5 hours ago
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #ai #technology #startup
Join us in this episode of the Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast with Stan Garber, co-founder and president of LevelPath. Discover Stan's exciting journey from high school entrepreneurship to revolutionizing procurement with AI-driven solutions.
Learn about Stan's inspiring stories of multiple successful ventures, challenges, and the innovations behind LevelPath.
Whether you're in procurement, supply chain management, or just an innovation enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of procurement.
Don't miss it!
Levelpath homepage: https://www.levelpath.com/
Follow Stan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stangarber/
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
Podcast 00:35 Meet Stan Garber: Co-Founder and President of Levelpath
01:05 Stan's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
04:36 The Birth of Online Ordering with Onis
05:21 Challenges and Innovations in Online Ordering
10:14 Transition to Procurement: The Scout RFP Story
14:45 Founding Level Path: A New Era in Procurement
19:24 AI in Procurement: The Future with Level Path
21:18 AI in Sourcing and Contract Management
22:49 The Importance of Clean Data
25:07 Trust and Adoption of AI
29:32 AI's Role in Procurement Efficiency
33:56 Future Plans for Level Path
36:27 Market Trends and Predictions
38:10 The Intersection of Art and Procurement
40:32 Conclusion and Farewell

Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Kevin Nelson talks Supply Chain: Procurement, Consulting, and MedTech
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
#procurement #logistics #supplychain #medicaldevice #biotech #hightech #ai #resilience
Welcome to the latest episode of Supply Chain Pioneers with Kevin Nelson, Senior Operating partner and advisory board member at Bio Stream Medical Consulting.
Kevin shares his 35 years of experience in procurement and supply chain, spanning high tech, biotechnology, and medical technology sectors. He discusses his accidental journey into procurement, his progression from operational roles to consulting at IBM, and his strategic insights in the med tech space.
Kevin also highlights the transformative role of AI in procurement and supply chain, the importance of stakeholder relationships, and the evolving nature of leadership.
Tune in to learn how embracing technology and fostering meaningful relationships can elevate the supply chain industry.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast
00:35 Meet Kevin Nelson: Career Overview
01:58 Falling into Procurement
03:31 Transition to Consulting
05:50 Finding Purpose in Life Sciences
07:23 Strategic Purchasing Insights
09:58 Leadership and Team Building
14:22 Embracing AI in Procurement
17:47 Future of Supply Chain Roles
20:53 Personal Insights and Conclusion

Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Jim de Vries talks Supply Chain: Trust, Leadership, and Resilience
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #leadership #trust #change
Welcome to the Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast, in this episode Ulf talks with Jim DeVries, founder and managing partner of Enhanced International Group and Chief Strategy Officer of the Supply Chain Risk Management Consortium.
Jim shares insights from his diverse career, from engineering to consulting, and discusses the importance of understanding supply chain risk management, the evolution of the field, and strategies for driving change within organizations.
Tune in for an engaging conversation on the future of supply chain management, trust, and leadership. 00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast
00:35 Meet Jim DeVries: A Journey from Engineering to Consulting
01:10 Early Career Insights and Experiences
02:26 The Evolution of Supply Chain Risk Management
06:47 Sales Skills and Lean Six Sigma
11:00 Operational Excellence and Supply Chain Optimization
13:44 Joining the SCRM Consortium
17:47 Driving Supply Chain Risk Management Forward
22:38 The Reality of AI Project Failures
23:07 Discussing Risk in Business
26:59 The Future of Supply Chain Risk Management
30:05 Enabling Change in Organizations
36:05 Leadership and Personal Growth
39:02 Recommended Reading for Change Management
40:45 Conclusion and Farewell

Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Jim McCullen talks Supply Chain: Loyalty, Efficiency, and Solutions
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #ai #productivity #learning #development
In this episode Jim McCullen, Chief Technology Officer of Century Supply Chain Solutions shares his journey of over 30 years in the supply chain industry, from starting in banking to becoming a CTO at Century.
He dives into the intricacies of supply chain management, the challenges faced, and the technological innovations that are reshaping the landscape.
Jim discusses his book, 'Control Your Day', offering valuable Outlook management tips.
Use the code "ULFTSC" to get free access to his Udemy Course to learn more about mastering Outlook: https://www.udemy.com/course/control-your-day/?srsltid=AfmBOoo8k_0tErz_WbLTX04CsEdGJWepGIJLm0WRFsNjftK_tBQkimYD
Learn also about AI applications in supply chain, the importance of clean data, and the future of logistics.
Don't miss out on Jim's insights and practical advice.

Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Andreas Rasche talks Supply Chain: ESG, Sustainability, and Regulatory Changes
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
#sustainability #esg #supplychain #procurement #logistics
In this episode of the Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast we feature Prof. Andreas, an academic and associate dean at the Copenhagen Business School, focusing on ESG and sustainability.
Andreas shares his journey into sustainability, sparked by early ethical debates and significant events like Nike’s labor rights scandal and the Rana Plaza disaster.
The discussion dives deep into the current EU sustainability regulations, the political influences affecting these laws, and the balance between economic interests and sustainability. Andreas also offers actionable advice for companies navigating these regulations and discusses the future of sustainability in supply chains.
Tune in for insightful perspectives on the evolving landscape of ESG and sustainability.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast
00:35 Meet Andrea: Academic and Sustainability Expert
01:57 Journey into ESG and Sustainability
06:26 Impact of EU Regulations on Sustainability
11:12 The Role of Companies in Sustainability
21:12 Future of Sustainability and Trade
25:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Dominic Regan talks Suppply Chain: Logistics, Solutions, and Passion
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
#supplychain #logistics #procurement #tms #wms #solutions #consulting #collaboration #talentdevelopment
In this episode of Supply Chain Pioneers we feature Dominic Regan, Senior Director for Logistics Solutions at Oracle. Dominic shares his journey into the logistics industry starting from his early experiences with a family-owned transportation business to his current role at Oracle.
The conversation covers the importance of understanding the root cause of logistics issues, the impact of technological advancements, and the significance of collaboration and the need for young talent in the industry.
Dominic also shares anecdotes from his extensive career, including the acquisition of Glog by Oracle, and delves into the technology trends that are shaping the future of logistics.
This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the intricacies of supply chain management and the continuous innovation within the field.
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:35 Guest Introduction: Dominic Regan from Oracle
01:41 Dominic's Journey into Logistics
05:10 The Passion for Logistics
08:53 The Oracle Acquisition of Glog
13:31 Challenges and Innovations in Logistics
29:51 Future of Logistics and Emerging Technologies
34:32 Closing Remarks and Hobbies
37:06 Conclusion and Podcast Outro

Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Aki Latvanne talks Supply Chain: Logistics, Sourcing, and Risk
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #ai #continuity #risk #projectmanagement
In this episode of the Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast Sourcing Risk Manager at Kone, shares insights from his extensive career in project management, cost consulting, and supply chain risk management.
Aki discusses the transition from project management roles to supply chain management at Nokia Networks, and the essentials of cost management over cost control in effective company transformation. He elaborates on the importance of flexibility in complex supply chains, the significance of strong networks, and the role of analytical skills.
Furthermore, Aki emphasizes the impact of comprehensive training and education, advocating for offline, hands-on training for better engagement. The conversation highlights Kone's risk management strategies, including crisis simulations and business continuity planning, which proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aki concludes by discussing the future focus on sub-tier supplier management and the nuanced role of photography in his professional life.
Unfortunately in this episode my video editing tool experienced some big issues. I tried to fix it as much as possible! Hope you can forgive me some of the quality issues and missing words, I really tried my best. It is a great and insightful episode.
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:35 Guest Introduction: Aki from Kone
01:42 Early Career: Project Management and Cost Consulting
09:26 Transition to Supply Chain Management at Nokia Networks
13:08 Importance of Training and Education in Logistics
16:14 Pioneering Sourcing Risk Management at Kone
20:35 Navigating Challenges: From Cybersecurity to COVID-19
27:16 Future of Supply Chain Risk Management
28:15 Personal Insights: Photography and Attention to Detail
31:30 Conclusion and Farewell

Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
SCP Anniversary: The Gartner Sessions (Part 2)
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #podcast #ai #risk #sustainability
Welcome to the Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast. In this episode, host Ulf celebrates the podcast's two-year anniversary and shares the second part of the engaging Gartner sessions. Featuring Zera Zheng from Maersk and Tim Nelson from Hope for Justice, the discussions delve into topics like AI in supply chain, risk management, and efforts to combat forced labor.
They talk about the key takeaways from the Gartner conference, including new AI applications for risk detection and business insights, and share updates on their innovative projects. Tune in for an insightful episode with industry leaders committed to innovation and justice in the supply chain arena.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast
00:35 Celebrating Two Years of Supply Chain Pioneers
01:44 Interview with Zera Zheng from Maersk
02:00 Gartner Conference Insights with Zera Zheng
03:14 New Product Launch by Maersk
07:11 Interview with Tim Nelson from Hope for Justice
08:48 Hope for Justice: Mission and Impact
14:08 Conclusion

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.










