Supply Chain - Unfiltered

Hosted by Institute for Supply Management®

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Supply Chain — Unfiltered, presented by the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®), is 20-to-30-minutes of everything you want to know about end-to-end supply chain but were afraid to ask. Our podcasts put supply chains front and center where they belong. Supply chains work 24/7 to keep people and places functioning and thriving. Without supply chains’ effectiveness — our world stops. (Remember the 2020 pandemic?) You’ll hear from industry experts sharing elements of the profession and their impact on financial markets, geopolitics and world trade. It’s real, raw and transparent. The more you tune in to Supply Chain — Unfiltered, perspective shifts about how you see the world and the ways you contribute to its livelihood. We invite you to be part of the ISM® community.

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 7324 min

How Procurement Teams Turn Data Into Value

Data is quietly becoming the most negotiable asset in business and the easiest one to misuse. We sit down with Charlotte de Brabandt, Ph.D., an expert in procurement, digital transformation, and AI-driven sustainability, to make sense of what it means to treat data like an economic engine rather than a pile of reports.We walk through Charlotte’s AI data economy model and the four forces it balances: 4G generative AI, 4E ethical AI, 4M monetization, and 4C democratization. From there, we get concrete about data monetization in two practical lanes. Direct monetization is selling or licensing data (often anonymized). Indirect monetization is using data to improve performance: tighter internal processes, smarter sourcing decisions, better customer experiences, and new products that are built on real behavior signals.AI is the accelerant and the risk. We dig into how AI raises data value through automation, predictive insights, and personalization, while also creating new problems like bias and unclear accountability. We also cover trends procurement and supply chain teams should watch right now, including data mesh and decentralization, AI-powered decision making, and sustainability in AI. Finally, we take on data privacy and consumer trust, the influence of GDPR and CCPA, and why transparency with vendors and stakeholders is becoming the new normal.If you want a clearer, more realistic playbook for competing in an AI-driven data economy, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a review.

May 27, 2026Episode 7223 min

Data Management Is a Dirty Job But Everyone Has to Do It

76% of leaders say data-driven decision making is the goal, but most people still don’t trust the data they’re looking at. That contradiction is not just frustrating, it’s expensive. We talk with Susan Walsh, founder of The Classification Guru, about what actually breaks procurement data and supplier master data over time, and why “just add AI” won’t fix a messy foundation.We get practical about data quality in supply chain management: why cleaning and standardizing data gets treated like a side task, how the long tail of spend hides the biggest problems, and why tariffs and supply chain relocation make accurate, up-to-date data even more urgent for scenario modeling, forecasting, and real-time visibility. Susan also shares how to think about buying technology the smart way: start with your end goal, avoid paying for add-ons you don’t need, and choose tools that fit your specific use case instead of copying competitors.Then we dig into AI, gen AI, and agentic AI. Since every model learns from training data, bad inputs can create confident-looking misinformation and spread it across your systems. We also cover data governance basics that matter globally, like consistent units of measure, date formats, naming standards, and the people-side change management that keeps data clean after the project ends.If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with someone wrestling with spend analytics or master data management, and leave a review so more supply chain teams can find it.

May 13, 2026Episode 7128 min

Hyper Agility

Disruption isn’t a phase you “get through” anymore. It’s the environment, and it’s forcing supply chains and organizations to evolve beyond classic agility into something bigger: hyper agility. We sit down with Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt to unpack what hyper agility really means and why she sees it as a true superpower for teams that need to sense change early, respond fast, and still stay grounded in purpose. We get specific about what makes hyper-agile organizations work: flexible structures that reconfigure around skills, communication that stays transparent across time zones, inclusive decision-making loops that move quickly without turning into bureaucracy, and rapid learning that favors short bursts of upskilling over slow programs. The thread running through it all is people. Charlotte explains why diversity isn’t optional in volatile conditions and how psychological safety turns diverse perspectives into better outcomes instead of silent disagreement. We also explore how hyper agility reshapes talent management and workforce planning, from static roles to dynamic capability maps and from “perfect resumes” to learning agility, curiosity, and resilience. Then we connect hyper agility to innovation, technology, and measurement: empowering frontline microinnovation, using cloud tools, AI, and automation to enable collaboration, and updating KPIs to track outcomes like learning velocity, adaptability, inclusion metrics, and innovation flow. If you’re leading procurement, operations, or a cross-functional supply chain team, this conversation offers a practical way to move faster without creating chaos. Subscribe for more, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a review if the ideas help you rethink how your team can bend without breaking.

April 29, 2026Episode 7025 min

Keys to Quickturn Hiring Amid Global Supply Chain Chaos

Scaling globally is exhilarating right up until the “how fast can we hire” question meets reality. A new client award or a winning bid can force a rapid ramp in a country where you have no entity, no local payroll, and no clear view of employment law. That’s when opportunity turns into internal panic, and the clock starts ticking on delivery dates, revenue, and credibility. We sit down with Rebecca Croucher, Chief Growth Officer at Atlas, to map the real path from plan to headcount. We talk through what it takes to open a new country the traditional way, including legal entity setup timelines that can stretch from weeks to 12 to 18 months, plus the added layers of local contracts, statutory benefits, insurance requirements, pensions, and employer liability. Then we contrast that with the employer of record model and why companies use EOR services to hire quickly and stay compliant while they validate a market. We also dig into the details that most global expansion plans miss: visa delays that can stall a build by six to nine months, cultural expectations that shape retention and day to day work, and the hard truth that there’s no single compliance tool that replaces local expertise. We close with practical planning guidance for near term market expansion, including role type, industry regulations, and how data protection typically works when teams operate inside your infrastructure. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with a teammate planning global hiring, and leave us a review.

April 15, 2026Episode 6923 min

Future of Work and the Auspice of Emerging Markets

Trillions in new factories are coming, supply chains are shifting closer to home, and yet the biggest constraint is not equipment or real estate, it’s people. We sit down with Isaac Hagan, Senior VP of Emerging Verticals at ManpowerGroup, to unpack what “emerging talent markets” really mean right now and why they often look like familiar industries under extreme transformation: manufacturing, semiconductors, energy, automotive, and materials.We dig into industrial sovereignty, reshoring, and the new demand for predictability across both physical supply chains and talent supply chains. Isaac shares why the talent gap is becoming the defining risk for growth, what it means when millions of manufacturing roles could go unfilled, and why workforce planning has to start far earlier than most teams expect. We also talk about what actually scales: apprenticeships, skills-based hiring, reskilling in new geographies, and stronger partnerships between industry and government to build the volume of capability these investments require.Then we zoom in on AI and the future of work. Data analytics and AI fluency are rising fast, but the most in-demand skill remains collaboration and other human strengths like EQ and empathy. We also address the strain showing up in longer workdays and stressed middle managers, and why culture and development become the “trust currency” that helps organizations survive rapid change.If you work in supply chain management, procurement, manufacturing, or operations, this conversation is a practical map of where jobs are going, which skills travel, and how to stay relevant as the pace of change accelerates. Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review with the skill you think will matter most over the next five years.

April 1, 2026Episode 6836 min

Thriving at the Intersection of AI, Ethics, and Profit

Your supply chain decisions can feel like you’re parked in the middle of a busy intersection with traffic coming from every direction: operational pressure, ethical expectations, AI disruption, and the constant demand for profitability. We sit down with Burkhard Schemmel, senior sales leader at Maersk and founder of the Research Institute of Alterocentric Business Ethics, to make that chaos workable and to turn “ethics” into something you can actually use. We talk about what business ethics really means beyond ESG and compliance, including why his team built a practical framework with 120 criteria that can be applied across industries and geographies. You’ll hear why ethics has global common ground but also local nuance, especially in sales behavior, negotiations, and pricing. Burkhard shares how different operating models, from large standardized enterprises to long-horizon family-owned businesses, can change the way ethical decisions show up in the real world. Then we get specific about the messiest moments: tariffs, capacity shortages, and unpredictable trade conditions. Burkhard makes the case for transparency and open-book pricing as a trust builder with customers and third-party partners, and we explore how de-risking strategies like local sourcing and multi-sourcing are reshaping supply chain resilience. Finally, we look at AI agents and what they could automate in procurement and logistics, plus what stays human when software starts making recommendations at scale. If you want a clearer way to prioritize ethics, resilience, AI, and profit without treating them as enemies, this conversation will help. Subscribe, share the show with a supply chain leader you respect, and leave a review so more people can find Supply Chain - Unfiltered.

March 18, 2026Episode 6735 min

Why Patience and Feedback Fast-Track LLM Success

A 20-year veteran retires, and suddenly the “way we do it” disappears with them. That is the reality across manufacturing, maintenance, and field service right now, and it shows up everywhere: longer onboarding, inconsistent work, safety gaps, and teams stuck relearning the same fixes under pressure.We talk with Siva Kumar Lakshmanan (Siva), CEO of DeepHow, about a practical way to capture tribal knowledge before it walks out the door. We dig into how generative AI and large language models can transform real shop floor work, including video of experienced technicians, into training that new hires can actually use. Along the way, we get specific about adoption, because the hardest part is rarely the software. It is change management, trust, and proving value in a way that makes sense to skilled workers who would rather be on their feet than at a desk.You will also hear a clear framework for when to move fast on AI and when to wait, how to run pilots that give the technology a fair shot, and how to use KPI scorecards to make fact-based decisions without burning out the team. We close with a candid conversation about job-loss fear, why business-case transparency matters, and how to position AI as a tool for safety, standardization, and faster time-to-competency in supply chain operations.Subscribe for more Supply Chain - Unfiltered, share this with a colleague in manufacturing or procurement, and leave a review if the conversation helps you rethink training and technology adoption. What is the one process in your operation you would capture first?

March 3, 2026Episode 6633 min

The True Trajectory of Automation, Robots, & Where Humans Fit In

This episode explores how robotics, AI, and automation are reshaping manufacturing, supply chains, and the future of work. In this episode of Supply Chain Unfiltered, host Melanie Stern sits down with Myron Moser, alliant Strategic Advisory Board Member and Chairman Emeritus at Hartfiel Automation. A 35-year veteran in industrial automation and robotics, Myron unpacks what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s coming next.Drawing on decades of hands-on experience across industries—from medical devices and advanced manufacturing to distribution center automation—Myron explains why today’s automation wave is fundamentally different. The conversation covers emerging technologies like AI-powered vision systems, autonomous vehicles, collaborative robots, and humanoid robotics, and why these innovations are accelerating adoption across manufacturing and logistics.Crucially, this episode tackles the human side of automation: where people fit as robots become more capable, how smart companies address workforce fear, and why automation should be used to augment—not replace—human talent. Myron shares practical insights on employee communication, reskilling, safety, quality, and throughput, along with guidance on navigating funding incentives, R&D tax credits, and regulatory considerations.Whether you’re a manufacturing leader, supply chain professional, operations executive, or student preparing for the future of supply management, this episode delivers a grounded, forward-looking perspective on how humans and machines can work together to build stronger, more competitive organizations.Key topics include:The future of automation and robotics in manufacturingAI, vision systems, and humanoid robotsWorkforce strategy, reskilling, and change managementSafety, quality, and productivity in automated environmentsPreparing for the future of supply chain and operations careersListen now to gain expert insight into the real trajectory of automation—and where humans will continue to matter most.

February 18, 2026Episode 6525 min

Consumer Packaged Goods, Bulk Products, and What to Expect from a 3PL

How should consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and bulk product manufacturers adapt when tariffs shift, retailers pivot, and consumer demand becomes unpredictable?In this episode of Supply Chain - Unfiltered, presented by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), host Melanie Stern sits down with Jesse Jones, Vice President of Operations at WSI, a national third‑party logistics (3PL) provider operating across 30 facilities in 10 U.S. states.Drawing on nearly two decades of experience—including leadership roles at Kimberly‑Clark and extensive work across CPG logistics, bulk materials, paper, chemicals, and industrial supply chains—Jesse offers a candid look at what’s really happening inside today’s logistics networks.This conversation goes beyond theory to explore real‑world supply chain challenges facing small‑to‑mid‑sized businesses, including:How CPG companies are responding to tariffs, inventory volatility, and retailer demandsWhy demand forecasting and inventory visibility remain difficult—especially for growing brandsThe role of data warehouses, WMS platforms, and analytics in modern 3PL operationsWhere AI fits today in logistics—and why people still matter mostHow to build flexibility into 3PL contracts as volume, channels, and product mixes changeWhat to ask during a 3PL RFP process, beyond price and capacityWhy leadership, standard work, and continuous improvement drive warehouse performanceJesse also breaks down what “continuous improvement” actually means inside a 3PL, moving past buzzwords like Lean and Six Sigma to practical execution on the warehouse floor.Whether you manage consumer packaged goods distribution, evaluate third‑party logistics providers, or navigate U.S. supply chain disruptions, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.Supply Chain - Unfiltered brings you real stories from global business leaders—unfiltered conversations about logistics, procurement, and operations.

December 24, 202532 min

Tariffs’ Backlash on Semiconductor Supply Chains

Discover which companies thrive, and which struggle, when tariffs and trade barriers shift. In this “Supply Chain – Unfiltered” episode, Chandler Willison of M Science explains why supply chain flexibility is key to resilience, and how smaller firms with rigid operations are most vulnerable to policy changes. Gain practical insights into the strategic moves that help organizations adapt, optimize, and succeed in a rapidly changing global market. Tune in for expert perspectives on navigating uncertainty and positioning your business for long-term growth.