Supply Chain Pioneers

Nick Gospodinov talks Supply Chain: Indiana Jones, Communication, and AI

#supplychain #procurement #logistics #automation #coordination #ai
In this Supply Chain Pioneers episode, Ulf speaks with Nick Gospodinov, founder and CEO of Mandel AI, about his journey from starting to code at age 10 in Bulgaria to founding companies and building Mandel AI.
Nick explains how Mandel acts as an AI supply chain coordinator by extracting key data from unstructured channels like email and Slack into systems of record, validating documents across RFQs, POs, confirmations, and invoices, and monitoring execution via agent functionality that follows SOPs and escalates issues.
He shares lessons from early pivots after Y Combinator, why supply chains can fail over a single missed email, how agents can handle edge cases like tariff surcharges, and updates on Mandel’s $3.9M funding round.
Nick also discusses building with Bulgarian engineering talent, scaling considerations, AI adoption challenges, and how martial arts shaped his persistence.
 
00:00 Podcast Intro
00:35 Meet Nick Gospodinov
01:20 Early Coding Origins
03:06 First Startup Spark
04:55 Pivot to Supply Chain
07:31 What Mandel AI Does
10:08 Funding and Market Momentum
11:17 Supply Chain Reality Check
14:44 Building from Bulgaria
19:07 AI Future and Adoption
25:09 Martial Arts Mindset
27:36 Closing and Where to Listen

Scott Luton talks Supply Chain: Conferences, Storytelling and Supply Chain Now

#supplychain #logistics #procurement #podcast #thoughtleadership
In this 50th episode of Supply Chain Pioneers, host Ulf welcomes Scott Luton of Supply Chain Now to discuss his career path from the U.S. Air Force into supply chain roles across manufacturing, distribution, consulting, and digital media.
Scott shares takeaways from the Manifest conference, including the push and pull between point solutions and integrated ecosystems, more non-supply-chain technologists entering the field, the impact of geopolitics on innovation, and the importance of culture, leadership, and “fellowship over friction.”
They explore key skills such as creating your own luck through networking, customer focus, accountability, and experimentation, plus Ulf’s lessons on operationalizing ideas and change management.
Scott explains why he founded Supply Chain Now, his commitment to diverse voices, the meaning of National Supply Chain Day (April 29), and how technology should improve the workforce’s safety, quality of life, and balance.
Scott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/
Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com/
 
00:00 Show Intro and Sponsor
00:35 Meet Scott Luton
01:36 Scott Background and Journey
02:42 Manifest Takeaways
06:33 Stumbling Into Supply Chain
09:45 Skills That Shaped Him
13:55 Olf Lessons and Change Management
18:05 Why Supply Chain Now Started
20:31 Platform Evolution
21:14 Active Listening Skills
22:48 Building Diverse Voices
27:15 National Supply Chain Day
28:42 Air Force Lessons
31:44 Future of Supply Chain Tech
35:01 Moonshine Supply Chain Story
38:19 Closing Thanks and Signoff

Nishith Rastogi talks Supply Chain: AI, DIY, and Logistics

#supplychain #procurement #logistics #ai #diy
In this episode of the Supply Chain Pioneers Nishith Rastogi, founder and CEO of Locus.sh, talks about his early start in programming, his work with AI and machine learning, and how AI has shifted from backend tools to front-end, human-facing systems. 
Nishith discusses fears of AI replacing jobs, arguing that roles will change while growth continues, and explains why logistics appealed to him as a real-world, constraint-driven problem with human impact. 
He outlines Locus.sh’s evolution from hyper-local last-mile routing to broader transport decision-making across surface, ocean, and air, serving CPG/FMCG, transportation, retail, and e-commerce. 
He also shares how his leadership matured, Locus.sh’s partnership with IKEA’s Ingka Group, and his vision for Locus as a software factory expanding into hardware and robotics.
 
Locus.sh Website: Locus | End-to-End Logistics Solution for All-Mile Excellence
Connect with Nishith on LinkedIn: (1) Nishith Rastogi | LinkedIn
 
00:00 Welcome and Sponsor00:35 Meet Nishith Rastogi01:42 Early Coding Origins03:21 AI Then and Now05:49 Will AI Replace Jobs07:56 From Amazon to Logistics09:15 The Human Side of Delivery10:59 Building the Locus Platform12:50 Who Locus Serves14:42 Evolving as a CEO17:01 IKEA Partnership Milestone19:50 Future of Locus and Logistics21:52 Final Lesson and Farewell

Stan Garber talks Supply Chain: Pathfinders, Procurement, and AI

#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

Kevin Nelson talks Supply Chain: Procurement, Consulting, and MedTech

#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

Jim de Vries talks Supply Chain: Trust, Leadership, and Resilience

#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

Jim McCullen talks Supply Chain: Loyalty, Efficiency, and Solutions

#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.

Andreas Rasche talks Supply Chain: ESG, Sustainability, and Regulatory Changes

#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

Dominic Regan talks Suppply Chain: Logistics, Solutions, and Passion

#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

Aki Latvanne talks Supply Chain: Logistics, Sourcing, and Risk

#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