Supply Chain Pioneers

Hosted by ulfvenne

Business Management

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Jun 2026

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About the show

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.

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52 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 5218 min

The Gartner Sessions: Autonomy, AI Ecosystems & Compliance (David Shillingford + Austin Myers)

Live from the Gartner supply chain conference, host Ulf Venne speaks with two guests in separate segments. David Shillingford shares what stands out this year versus last: a shift from broad AI talk to the “so what” and “how,” focusing on autonomy, the autonomous ecosystem, and the need for pristine data; he also discusses physical automation driven by regionalization, reshoring, and workforce challenges, and argues supply chain is firmly a board-level issue amid geopolitics and extreme weather. Austin Myers of Certifical explains how manual, document-heavy vendor onboarding and insurance compliance create inefficiencies and risk, and describes Certifical’s real-time verification and monitoring of insurance data to automate compliance year-round; he notes issues like fake documents and emphasizes consolidation to a single source of truth, system understanding, and learning how to improve “tomorrow” beyond AI hype. 00:00 Podcast Intro and Sponsor 00:35 Live at Gartner Orlando 01:17 AI to Autonomy Trends 02:35 Automation and Physical Supply Chain 03:49 Keeping Supply Chain Board Relevant 06:11 Personal Future Theme AI Adjacencies 07:35 Gartner Tips and Networking 08:42 Meet Austin from Certificial 09:22 Why Supply Chain and Manual Docs 10:57 What Cert Official Does 12:02 Fake COIs and Risk Control 14:29 First Gartner Takeaways and AI Hype 16:07 Consolidation and Clean Slate Systems 17:49 Final Takeaways and Sign Off

April 1, 2026Episode 5128 min

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

March 18, 2026Episode 5039 min

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

March 5, 2026Episode 4924 min

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 Sponsor 00:35 Meet Nishith Rastogi 01:42 Early Coding Origins 03:21 AI Then and Now 05:49 Will AI Replace Jobs 07:56 From Amazon to Logistics 09:15 The Human Side of Delivery 10:59 Building the Locus Platform 12:50 Who Locus Serves 14:42 Evolving as a CEO 17:01 IKEA Partnership Milestone 19:50 Future of Locus and Logistics 21:52 Final Lesson and Farewell

February 11, 2026Episode 4841 min

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

January 28, 2026Episode 4722 min

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

October 15, 2025Episode 4641 min

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

September 24, 2025Episode 4539 min

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.

September 10, 2025Episode 4427 min

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

August 28, 2025Episode 4337 min

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