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

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!

Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Klaus Dohrmann talks Supply Chain: Consulting, Strategy, and Innovation
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
#supplychain #logistics #trends #procurement #innovation #consulting #strategy
In this episode of Supply Chain Pioneers, host Ulf accompanies Klaus Dohrmann, Vice President at DHL and the global head of innovation and trend research, as they explore the intricate world of supply chain management and logistics innovation.
Klaus shares his journey from consulting to becoming a key strategist and innovation leader at DHL. They dive into effective strategies for making significant strategic moves, the importance of stakeholder management, and how excitement and buy-in are critical for successful implementation.
Klaus also discusses DHL's unique approach to innovation through their global network of innovation centers and the highly-regarded DHL Trend Radar. Join them as they delve into top future trends in logistics, the impact of robotics and AI, and consider some surprising sources of inspiration.
Don't miss Klaus's insights on collaborating with startups, lessons from marathon running, and why excitement about your work is key to pioneering success in the supply chain industry.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
00:35 Meet Klaus Dohrmann: The Godfather of Innovation at DHL
01:08 Klaus's Journey into Supply Chain Management
02:34 Strategic Insights and Stakeholder Management
07:39 Driving Innovation at DHL
10:22 Top Trends in Logistics and Innovation
16:45 Challenges and Successes in Innovation
19:53 Advice for Startups in the Supply Chain Sector
23:05 Klaus's Passion for Marathon Running
25:01 Conclusion and Farewell

Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Chris White talks Supply Chain: Quality, Risk, and Systems
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #planning #strategy #system #risk #resilience #education #university
In this engaging episode of Supply Chain Pioneers, host Ulf interviews Chris White, the CEO and co-founder of scmBLOX. Chris recounts his diverse career journey, from quality management to becoming a leader in supply chain management, with educational roots in aerospace and industrial engineering.
He delves into his extensive experience in operational risk management, technology, data analytics, and consulting. The episode highlights the development of scmBLOX, a strategic planning simulation tool, and innovative projects, including work for the United States Army. Listeners will gain insights into system dynamics, future supply chain trends, and the importance of balancing efficiency with resilience.
Chris also shares unique perspectives drawn from coaching volleyball, illustrating how adaptability empowers both sports and supply chain management. Don't miss this episode for a comprehensive look at supply chain innovation and systems thinking.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast
00:35 Meet Chris White: CEO and Founder of scmBLOX
01:38 From Quality Management to Supply Chain
04:18 The Shift to Operational Risk Management
06:09 Venturing into Technology and Simulation
07:55 Teaching and Coaching: A Passion for Education
09:20 Consulting for Major Organizations
13:06 The Birth of SCM Blocks
15:54 Building Supply Chain Structures
17:07 Reflecting on Career Paths
18:40 Introducing the Beer Game on Steroids
22:08 Future Trends in Supply Chain Management
27:11 Volleyball and Supply Chain Analogies
30:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Patrik Kalmbach talks supply chain: Math, Change, and Strategy
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Join us in this episode of Supply Chain Pioneers as we discuss with Patrik Kalmbach, a strategic leader in supply chain and procurement excellence, about transformational change management and supply chain risk management. Discover how Patrik's background in mathematics led him to excel in this field, and gain insights into the challenges of managing complex supply chain systems and the importance of risk management.
Learn about Patrik's experiences in consultancy, operational management, and strategic project implementation within one of the biggest life science healthcare companies.
Whether you're in the field or interested in supply chain innovations, this conversation will leave you with valuable lessons and practical approaches.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
00:38 Meet Patrik Kalmbach: A Strategic Leader
01:24 From Mathematics to Supply Chain Management
02:35 The Dual Nature of Supply Chain Management
04:02 Navigating Between Planning and Operations
05:12 Mastering Change Management
09:04 The Importance of Risk Management
14:00 Lessons from Hurricane Harvey
16:29 Operational vs. Strategic Projects
20:23 Advice for Aspiring Supply Chain Professionals
22:24 Practical Approaches to Change Management
25:41 Tennis and Supply Chain Management: A Unique Comparison
27:04 Conclusion and Farewell

Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Michael Huth talks supply chain: Students, Research, and Health
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
#supplychain #procurement #logistic #risk #education #talent #students #research #writing #health #resilience
In this episode of the Supply Chain Pioneers podcast, host Ulf welcomes Michael Huth, a seasoned professor of logistics and supply chain management at Fulda University of Applied Sciences. Michael shares his captivating journey into the field, from an unexpected pivot from tax consultancy to his passion for logistics inspired by an influential professor.
Throughout the conversation, Michael discusses how he stays connected with real-world industry trends, his approach to educating the next generation of supply chain professionals, and the importance of resilience in today's volatile supply chain environment.
He also opens up about his personal battle with leukemia and his inspiring recovery journey. Michael concludes by touching on his upcoming study on supply chain resilience for the BME and a sneak peek into his new book that details the key ingredients for building robust supply chains.
Don't miss this insightful episode packed with personal stories, professional expertise, and forward-looking perspectives on the future of supply chain management. 00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers Podcast
00:35 Meet Michael Huth: A Journey in Logistics
01:49 From Tax Consultant Aspirations to Logistics
03:22 Staying Updated with Industry Trends
05:21 Educating the Next Generation of Supply Chain Professionals
08:13 Challenges and Success Stories in Education
11:47 A Personal Battle with Leukemia
15:48 Insights on Supply Chain Resilience
21:49 Future of Supply Chains and Student Aspirations
23:56 Hobbies and Reflections on Running
25:20 Conclusion and Farewell

Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Adriano Garibotto talks supply chain: AI, Procurement, and Italy
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
#supplychain #procurement #logistics #ai #data #digitalization #human #italy
Welcome to Supply Chain Pioneers! In this episode, join Adriano Garibotto, Co-Founder and Board Member of Creatives Group, as he shares his extensive journey from construction and engineering to pioneering AI solutions in procurement.
Discover how Adriano's visionary approach has transformed data management and spend analytics, and learn about the crucial role of clean data, supervised AI, and the balance between technology and human expertise.
Adriano also delves into the challenges and advantages of growing an IT-based company in Italy and provides insightful parallels between cooking, coffee, and AI training. Don't miss this engaging conversation about innovation, technology, and the future of procurement. 00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
00:39 Meet Adriano Garibotto
00:57 From Construction to Consultancy
02:05 The Shift to AI in Procurement
03:58 Challenges and Innovations in Early 2000s
06:35 The Importance of Clean Data
16:53 AI Solutions for Procurement
22:39 Global Expansion and Italian Roots
28:18 Future of AI and Human Collaboration
30:38 Personal Insights and Hobbies
35:21 Conclusion and Farewell

Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Shehrina Kamal talks Supply Chain: Product, Innovation, and Education
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
#supplychain #logistics #procurement #ai #product #innovation #education #learning #volunteering #band
Welcome to this episode of the Supply Chain Pioneers podcast, hosted by Ulf Venne. In this interview, Ulf speaks with Shehrina Kamal, the Vice President of Product Management at EverStream Analytics. Shehrina shares insights from her extensive journey in supply chain management, starting from her roots in Bangladesh and moving through various roles at DHL and Everstream Analytics.
They delve into the importance of communication, the evolving role of product management, and her learnings from performing in a band. Shehrina also discusses her volunteering efforts, specifically her work with refugee women. Tune in to discover valuable lessons on balancing innovation with real-world solutions in supply chains.
00:00 Introduction to Supply Chain Pioneers
00:34 Meet Shehrina Kamal: A Journey in Supply Chain
01:23 Early Career and First Steps in Supply Chain
02:23 Transition to Product Management
05:10 Key Takeaways from Various Roles
09:08 The Essence of Great Product Management
10:30 Balancing Innovation and Practicality
11:18 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers
14:06 The Importance of Continuous Learning
16:58 From Music to Supply Chain: Lessons Learned
19:30 Volunteering and Social Responsibility
25:13 Recommended Reads for Supply Chain Enthusiasts
27:14 Conclusion and Farewell

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.