In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes Angie Jula, Director of Product Management, and Matt Brolsma, Sr. Manager of Product Marketing at SPS Commerce, to discuss how AI and automation are transforming retail supply chains. Angie draws on more than a decade in product leadership, while Matt brings cross-functional expertise from both supplier and buyer perspectives. Together, they share how retailers can transform clean, connected data into actionable insights that enhance demand forecasting, supplier collaboration, and pricing strategy, all while reducing manual work that slows down their teams.

From tackling organizational silos with cross-functional dashboards to equipping executives with real-time visibility, Angie and Matt emphasize why AI is no longer optional; it’s a strategic imperative. They highlight case studies on supplier scorecarding, automation-driven fill rates, and proactive exception management, showing how early adopters are gaining competitive advantages in resilience, agility, and customer loyalty. This discussion is a roadmap for retailers navigating tariffs, disruptions, and the rising expectations of today’s consumers.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:46) Warm-up stories: golf and DJing

(05:36) Professional journeys and SPS Commerce background

(07:31) How AI is reshaping retail supply chains

(09:16) Barriers to AI adoption and implementation gaps

(12:22) Retailer priorities in today’s uncertain market

(14:56) Why many retailers still manage suppliers manually

(18:38) How AI is transforming supplier management

(29:50) Breaking down silos with cross-functional understanding

(31:20) SPS Commerce’s role in enabling retail automation

(33:53) Moving from reactive to proactive supplier management

(37:10) How automation impacts team productivity

(39:59) AI-driven strategic decision making in the C-Suite

(44:48) Performance metrics as a competitive advantage

(51:20) Practical advice for starting the automation journey

(55:16) The billion-dollar question: key takeaways

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Angie Jula: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-jula-9aa59258/
• Connect with Matthew Brolsma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbrolsma/
• Learn more about SPS Commerce: https://www.spscommerce.com/
• Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit:

Additional Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk

This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Koray Kose and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-leadership-workforce-management-1488

Join Supply Chain Now host Scott Luton for a timely conversation with Max Garland, Senior Reporter at Supply Chain Dive. In this episode, they break down the biggest stories shaping logistics and e-commerce right now—from Target’s next-day delivery expansion and FedEx’s 2026 rate hikes to the rise of regional carriers like OnTrac and Veho. They’ll also unpack how the end of the de minimis exemption is reshaping international e-commerce and what it means for businesses adapting to new rules.

Packed with insights on technology, customer experience, and the future of supply chain operations, this discussion is a can't miss for anyone navigating today’s rapidly evolving logistics landscape.

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Max on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxgarland/
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• WEBINAR- The Power of Partnership: Building Long-Term Success with Automation Integrators: https://bit.ly/3Ie1WUO
• WEBINAR- Real stories: People first - Leadership lessons in driving digital supply chain transformation: https://bit.ly/3INxtNw
• WEBINAR- The Optimized Digital Transformer: Key Concepts for Enhancing Modern Leadership: https://bit.ly/4gGWCGg
• WEBINAR- Reengineering supply chain planning: How to get more bang for your buck in 2026-
• https://bit.ly/3VahMCQ
• WEBINAR- Optimizing End-to-End Logistics: Efficiency, Collaboration, and Innovation- https://bit.ly/4ml2TZh
• WEBINAR- Empowering Decision-Making in 2026 with Supply Chain Orchestration: https://bit.ly/3W7swlL

This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/breaking-news-now-ecommerce-shake-ups-1487

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, for a conversation on the future of supply chains. Mike explains why reverse logistics and returns management are now critical, how AI-powered demand sensing improves agility, and why organizations must treat reverse supply chains with the same discipline as forward ones. He also shares predictions on AI certification in hiring and the risk of losing soft skills as technology takes on a bigger role.

Using football as a lens, Mike highlights resilience from the Buffalo Bills, core focus from the Ravens, and orchestration from the Patriots—lessons supply chain leaders can apply directly. He also previews Gartner’s Planning Summits, where strategy meets hands-on execution. From tackling fraud in returns to preparing talent for an AI-driven future, this episode offers clear takeaways for balancing technology, people, and process.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:45) Coffee culture, Starbucks tastings, and Chick-fil-A fries

(09:06) How AI improves supply chain planning accuracy

(10:49) Retail fraud and challenges in returns management

(14:26) Using AI tools to build supply chain agility

(17:01) Football lessons applied to supply chain resilience

(22:59) Ravens’ defense as core competency analogy

(27:33) Patriots’ orchestration shows teamwork across supply chain

(32:30) Cowboys vs. Patriots on leadership delegation differences

(36:19) Gartner planning summits in London and Denver

(38:50) AI certification, soft skills, and workforce readiness

Resources:

• Connect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/
• Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/en
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• WEBINAR- The Power of Partnership: Building Long-Term Success with Automation Integrators: https://bit.ly/3Ie1WUO
• WEBINAR- The Optimized Digital Transformer: Key Concepts for Enhancing Modern Leadership: https://bit.ly/4gGWCGg
• WEBINAR- Reengineering supply chain planning: How to get more bang for your buck in 2026- https://bit.ly/3VahMCQ
• WEBINAR- Optimizing End-to-End Logistics: Efficiency, Collaboration, and Innovation- https://bit.ly/4ml2TZh
• WEBINAR- Empowering Decision-Making in 2026 with Supply Chain Orchestration:

In today's episode of Supply Chain Now, we dig into the imperative nature of supply chain transformation in the current global landscape, characterized by incessant change and complexity. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EasyPost!

Today, hosts Scott Luton and Jake Barr welcome special guests Pierre Abou Hamad, Managing Partner USA with Citwell, Inc., and Koray Kose, Founder and Chief Analyst with Kose Advisory. The conversation includes:

• The multifaceted challenges faced by supply chain leaders, particularly in the context of heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving market demands
• Critical insights from industry leaders, who stress the necessity of embracing innovation and adaptability as key strategies for navigating these turbulent times
• The importance of effective communication and the cultivation of a resilient organizational culture that fosters continuous improvement.
• Tariff impact on coffee prices

Join us as we embark on this exploration, and reflect on the profound implications of these discussions for the future of supply chain management.

Additional Links & Resources:

• With That Said: https://bit.ly/4nmrLBy
• EasyPost: www.easypost.com
• Supply Chain Dive on coffee prices: https://bit.ly/CoffeePricesUp
• Ideology Versus Pragmatism: Choosing A Side In The Supply Chain Wars: https://bit.ly/SupplyChainWars
• Pierre Abou Hamad on USS Cassin Young: https://bit.ly/DestroyerAndSupplyChain
• EasyPost’s Advanced Tracking: https://get.easypost.com/advanced-tracking
• Pierre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-abou-hamad/
• Koray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koraykoese/
• The Bridge Webinar: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5090303/21DFF09E74113F3ED3821921E9F2CD2D
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• WEBINAR- The Power of Partnership: Building Long-Term Success with Automation Integrators: https://bit.ly/3Ie1WUO
• WEBINAR- The Optimized Digital Transformer: Key Concepts for Enhancing Modern Leadership: https://bit.ly/4gGWCGg
• WEBINAR- Reengineering supply chain planning: How to get more bang for your buck in 2026-

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Karin Bursa welcomes a powerhouse panel of women supply chain leaders who are rewriting the rules in today’s “never normal” world. Joining the discussion are Stephanie Beal, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Hasbro; Tamera Fenske, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Kimberly-Clark; Eliza Simeonova, Vice President of Global Supply for Mars Pet Nutrition; Whitney Shlesinger, Vice President of Global Planning and Logistics at McCormick; and Sylvia Wilks, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lamb Weston.

Together, they share defining moments that shaped their careers, from early plant leadership to global transformation initiatives. They explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping supply chain performance: driving operational discipline, improving demand planning, enhancing knowledge management, and freeing teams to focus on creative, strategic work. The panel also reflects on the importance of clean data, talent development, and building integrated value chains that deliver measurable business results.

Looking back, each leader offers advice to their younger selves, highlighting the power of mentorship, confidence, and learning from failure while encouraging the next generation to own their careers and pay it forward.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:45) Panel introduction

(13:56) Defining career moments

(25:13) AI’s impact on supply chains

(27:19) Data’s role in AI success

(29:25) AI for employee efficiency

(31:11) AI in inventory and demand forecasting

(32:33) AI in decision making and strategy

(33:39) Personal productivity and AI

(36:33) AI in knowledge management

(37:41) Career advice for supply chain leaders

(47:47) Connecting with supply chain experts

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Stephanie Beal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebeal/
• Connect with Tamera Fenske: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamera-fenske-08121a7/
• Connect with Eliza Simeonova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-simeonova-787999151/
• Connect with Whitney Shlesinger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-shlesinger/
• Connect with Sylvia Wilks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvia-wilks-7658513/
• Learn more about Hasbro:

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes Lushentha Naidoo, Managing Director of the European Supplier Diversity Program (ESDP), for a candid conversation on purpose-driven leadership and the business value of inclusive procurement. Drawing on a 14-year transformation career at Unilever and a personal journey from apartheid-era South Africa to global operations leadership, Lushentha shares how caring as a leadership “superpower” can fuel innovation, save jobs, and build psychologically safe teams. She explains how supplier diversity isn’t charity. It’s a competitive advantage that increases agility, strengthens resilience, and unlocks fresh thinking when disruption hits.

She also breaks down how ESDP bridges corporates and diverse suppliers through a fast-growing database, networking events, and the Inclusive Procurement Academy, teaching pitching, storytelling, and “corporate readiness.” From real success stories (mentorship that kept a founder in the fight) to pragmatic guidance for senior leaders doubling down on DEI, this conversation offers actionable takeaways: define the why, build inclusive cultures, and widen the supplier funnel so the best partner wins.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(03:18) Lushentha’s inspirational journey to Easter Island

(06:50) Growing up during Apartheid

(12:53) The impact of Nelson Mandela's leadership

(17:40) Lushentha’s professional journey at Unilever

(23:45) The power of diversity and inclusion

(26:01) The transition to the European Supplier Diversity Program (ESDP)

(29:09) Lushentha’s advice for corporate leaders

(32:17) Challenges for women in the workplace

(33:52) What ESDP does, its mission, and its impact

(44:06) The importance of inclusivity and DEI

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Lushentha Naidoo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lushentha-naidoo-99730439
• Learn more about ESDP: https://esdp-org.eu/
• Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com
• WEBINAR- From Compliance to Impact and Competitive Advantage: How to Decarbonize Your Supply Chain: https://bit.ly/47uXKKo
• WEBINAR- The Power of Partnership: Building Long-Term Success with Automation Integrators: https://bit.ly/3Ie1WUO
• WEBINAR- Reengineering supply chain planning: How to get more bang for your buck in 2026- https://bit.ly/3VahMCQ
• WEBINAR- Optimizing End-to-End Logistics: Efficiency, Collaboration, and Innovation- https://bit.ly/4ml2TZh
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit:

In today's episode of Supply Chain Now, we discuss the critical role of truck drivers in the supply chain, representing nearly 73% of freight delivery in the United States, as we celebrate Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EasyPost!!

Today, hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson welcome special guest Kevin Lawton, Founder & Host of The New Warehouse podcast. Listen in as Scott and 'Team Kevin" explore:

• The current state of the freight economy, highlighting the challenges faced by industry professionals amid a prolonged slump in freight pricing
• The significant concerns raised by the largest rail industry labor union regarding the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, which may significantly impact safety practices and workforce environments
• Truck Driver Appreciation Week, acknowledging the essential role that truck drivers play in the supply chain and the pressures they endure, as evidenced by survey data revealing their dissatisfaction
• The ramifications of the current freight market dynamics on operational efficiency, underscoring the necessity for innovation and adaptability in logistics
• Emerging trends in warehouse technology, particularly the integration of computer vision to improve operational efficiency

Join us as we advocate for a greater appreciation of professional truck drivers, especially during Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and celebrate their enormous impact and their vital contributions to the economy.

Additional Links & Resources:

• With That Said: https://bit.ly/3JWppdN
• EasyPost: www.easypost.com
• Manifest 2026: www.ManifestVegas.com/SupplyChainNow
• Trucker exodus: New survey reveals nearly 47% of drivers seeking new jobs: https://bit.ly/TruckDriverSurvey2025
• California Trucking Firms Go Under, Fueling Wider Industry Fears: https://on.wsj.com/4npetU8
• Coca-Cola aims to help solve the orange juice crisis with AI: https://bit.ly/SaveOranges
• EasyPost’s Advanced Tracking: https://get.easypost.com/advanced-tracking
• The New Warehouse: https://www.thenewwarehouse.com/
• Kevin Lawton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinclawton/
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• WEBINAR- From Compliance to Impact and Competitive Advantage: How to Decarbonize Your Supply Chain: