The Future of Supply Chain

In this week’s episode we discuss the trends, challenges and opportunities in the area of transportation management with Westernacher’s Matt Paulaitis. Matt discusses challenges such as organizational silos, tariff impacts, and the need for unified data, and the role of predictive analytics, machine learning, and AI integration to optimize operations and enhance real-time decision-making. Matt also explained why companies are investing Companies are investing in digital supply chain systems and collaborative portals to increase agility, resilience, and operational efficiency. Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain. [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_106_guest.jpg] GUEST: MATT PAULAITIS, TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SALES LEAD – NORTH AMERICA, WESTERNACHER  Matt Paulaitis is a Senior Consultant and Sales Lead for Transportation Management with 8 years of consulting experience. With a strong background in ERP Implementations, he has led initiatives that improved business outcomes by implementing supply chain solutions that provided actionable insights that drove strategic decisions. Currently, Matt works at Westernacher, where he oversees Transportation Management Sales to innovate business’ digital supply chains. Matt is Passionate about leveraging data to solve complex problems within an organization’s transportation logistics division. Matt aims to empower organizations with clear and impactful analytics that allow companies to expand past silos of information to make key organizational decisions. Outside of work, Matt enjoys running, working out and researching new technologies in the supply chain industry. [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/02/Richard_Howells_240.jpg] HOST: RICHARD HOWELLS, SAP Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability. USEFUL LINKS: Download Transcript [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_106_transcript.pdf] Social Media Links:   * Westernacher: * https://westernacher.com [https://westernacher.com] *  Supply Chain Management: * SAP Supply Chain Management [https://www.sap.com/products/scm/solutions.html] * SAP Insights: Supply Chain [https://www.sap.com/insights/supply-chain.html] Follow Us on Social Media * Matt Paulaitis: LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/MattPaulaitis] * Richard Howells: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells/], X [https://twitter.com/howellsrichard] * SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapscm/] Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! The post Episode 106: All Things Transportation with Westernacher’s Matt Paulaitis [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/2025/04/23/episode-106-all-things-transportation-with-westernachers-matt-paulaitis/] first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain].

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Market Veep’s Janelle McGrath to discuss the intertwined worlds of supply chain, marketing, and sales. We explore how aligning these departments can boost efficiency and customer satisfaction, and dive into strategies for maximizing visibility of new products and communicating sustainable practices effectively. Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain. [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_105_guest.jpeg] GUEST: JENNELLE MCGRATH, CEO, MARKET VEEP  Jennelle McGrath is the CEO of Market Veep, a marketing and sales agency. They host a podcast, “Finding Business Happy,” are a HubSpot Diamond certified and accredited partner, a two-time INC 5000 fastest growing company, an INC Best Workplaces winner, Certified Best Places to Work accredited, SBA certified woman-owned small business, two-time Netty Award for Boutique Agency of the Year and most Innovative Web Design, are an entrepreneur.com [https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fentrepreneur.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cz.zagorodnya%40sap.com%7C0e9e00f95d694062247208dd79018246%7C42f7676cf455423c82f6dc2d99791af7%7C0%7C0%7C638799769598615579%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cd%2B46XiQpJPNJTIMYZcCYCpFV6Tjvek4aMe8X3DrLKQ%3D&reserved=0] contributor and are members with over a half a dozen manufacturing associations. [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/02/Richard_Howells_240.jpg] HOST: RICHARD HOWELLS, SAP Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability. [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/02/Nicole_Smythe_240.jpg] HOST: NICOLE SMYTHE, SAP Nicole Smythe is a marketer, blogger, and podcaster in the Digital Supply Chain and ERP space at SAP. With a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management and various field experiences, she hopes to bring a fresh, new perspective to the space with her active marketing contributions, focusing on topics like market trends, emerging technology, and the next generation of workers.   USEFUL LINKS: Download Transcript [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_105%29transcript.pdf]   * Finding Business Happy Podcast: * https://www.marketveep.com/finding-business-happy-podcast [https://www.marketveep.com/finding-business-happy-podcast] * Supply Chain Management: * SAP Supply Chain Management [https://www.sap.com/products/scm/solutions.html] * SAP Insights: Supply Chain [https://www.sap.com/insights/supply-chain.html] Follow Us on Social Media * Richard Howells: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells/], X [https://twitter.com/howellsrichard] * Nicole Smythe: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolesmythe-mba/], X [https://twitter.com/NSmythe_DSC] * SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapscm/] Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! The post Episode 105: B2B Marketing and Manufacturing with Market Veep’s Jennelle McGrath [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/2025/04/16/episode-105-b2b-marketing-manufacturing-with-market-veeps-jennelle-mcgrath/] first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain].

In this week’s episode we welcome back SAP’s David Vallejo. Together we dive into the evolving landscape of supply chain management, discussing how businesses are shifting from siloed operations to integrated orchestration, explore the transformative role of AI in enabling real-time decision-making, boosting resilience, and fostering sustainability. Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain.    [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_104_guest.png] GUEST: DAVID VALLEJO, VICE PRESIDENT, SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PRODUCT MARKETING, SAP  David’s global organization leads strategy and growth initiatives for SAP’s SCM portfolio which encompasses solutions for product lifecycle management, manufacturing, planning, logistics, assets and service management as well as the Business Network. The solutions enable customers orchestrate their supply chain to become risk-resilient, adaptable, and sustainable in their supply chain operations. David joined SAP in 2014 and has held various leadership positions before attaining his current role. During David’s tenure he drove the successful launch of SAP’s Supply Chain Business Network focusing on direct materials collaboration across the extended supply chain and driving the customer co-innovation program as product owner for SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP). Prior to joining SAP David helped many global companies define and implement their strategy around supply chain transformations and has been honored with the “Pros-to-Know” award in 2014 by the Supply & Demand Chain Executive Board. He held several global leadership roles managing customer delivery, solution management and product management at E2open and icon-scm. David is a Computer Science graduate (Dipl. Ing.) from the Berufsakademie University of Applied Science in Mannheim, Germany.  [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/02/Richard_Howells_240.jpg] HOST: RICHARD HOWELLS, SAP Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability. USEFUL LINKS: Download Transcript [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_104_transcript.pdf] Learn more about CPG trends in supply chain & how to bring out your best.     * SAP Supply Chain Management [https://www.sap.com/products/scm/solutions.html]  * SAP Insights: Supply Chain [https://www.sap.com/insights/supply-chain.html]   Follow Us on Social Media * Richard Howells: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells/], X [https://twitter.com/howellsrichard]   * SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapscm/]   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! The post Episode 104: Supply Chain Orchestration with SAP’s David Vallejo [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/2025/04/09/episode-104-supply-chain-orchestration-with-saps-david-vallejo/] first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain].

The consumer goods industry is undergoing a seismic shift driven by AI and digital technologies. Joined by our own Maria Morais, we unpack key trends for 2025, including subscription-based models powered by AI customization, experience-driven commerce blending digital and physical retail, dynamic pricing enabled by real-time analytics, and hyper-personalization. Also, sustainability takes center stage as brands embrace ethical supply chains and transparency. Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain. [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_103_guest.jpg] GUEST: MARIA MORAIS, GLOBAL HEAD OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS MARKETING, SAP Maria is a digital transformation strategist specializing in AI-driven innovation, go-to-market scaling, and investor relations. She has been instrumental in expanding SAP’s market presence and driving sustainable growth in consumer industries, helping organizations navigate the future of consumer products through technology and business transformation initiatives.  Maria writes about the intersection of AI, digital transformation, and business strategy, helping leaders navigate the evolving landscape of consumer industries. [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/02/Richard_Howells_240.jpg] HOST: RICHARD HOWELLS, SAP Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability. [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-erp/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2023/10/Oyku-Ilgar.jpg] HOST: OYKU ILGAR, SAP Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. USEFUL LINKS: Download Transcript [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_103_transcript.pdf] Learn more about CPG trends in supply chain & how to bring out your best.    * SAP Supply Chain Management [https://www.sap.com/products/scm/solutions.html] * SAP Insights: Supply Chain [https://www.sap.com/insights/supply-chain.html] * CPG trends 2025: Consumers at limit on rising prices; brands look to personalization, loyalty to spur growth [https://www.the-future-of-commerce.com/2024/12/06/cpg-trends-2025/] Follow Us on Social Media * Maria Morais: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceumorais/] * Richard Howells: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells/], X [https://twitter.com/howellsrichard] * Oyku Ilgar: SAP Community [https://people.sap.com/oyku], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oykuilgar/] * SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapscm/] Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! The post Episode 103: 2025 Trends for the CPG Industry with SAP’s Maria Morais [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/2025/04/02/episode-103-2025-trends-for-the-cpg-industry-with-saps-maria-morais/] first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain].

Joined by Efficio’s Barbara Guignard, we dive into the causes behind the current cocoa crisis, including climate challenges and underinvestment in cocoa plants. Discover how chocolate manufacturers are responding through recipe alterations, sustainability initiatives, and supply chain innovations, whilst tapping into emerging technologies and potential alternatives that may shape the future of chocolate production and consumption. Come join us as we discuss the Future of Supply Chain. [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_102_guest.jpg] GUEST: BARBARA GUIGNARD, EFFICIO CONSULTING Barbara leads large-scale, international procurement transformation projects across a number of sectors, with a focus on the food, retail, and manufacturing industries. Barbara’s principal strengths lie in Procurement Transformation and Strategic Sourcing, particularly in the context of international organizations and mergers and acquisitions. Generally, Barbara works with clients in medium-sized companies, often with an international sales and supply chain footprint, in sectors ranging from Manufacturing to Distribution and Services. Barbara has category expertise in professional services, marketing, finished goods, logistics, engineering services, third-party labor and outsourced services. Barbara founded and continues to lead the Efficio Women’s Network, which provides an inclusive forum to exchange topics impacting women’s performance and well-being in the workplace, network with women across the business, as well as to raise general awareness on gender challenges. She is also a certified coach in personal development and is heavily involved in internal and external training. [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/02/Richard_Howells_240.jpg] HOST: RICHARD HOWELLS, SAP Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability. USEFUL LINKS: Download Transcript [https://sap-podcast-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/the-future-of-supply-chain/The_Future_of_Supply_Chain_Episode_102_transcript.pdf] Learn more about the chocolate crisis’ effect on supply chains & how to bring out your best.     * SAP Supply Chain Management [https://www.sap.com/products/scm/solutions.html] * SAP Insights: Supply Chain [https://www.sap.com/insights/supply-chain.html] * Efficio: Global Procurement and Supply Chain Consultants [https://www.efficioconsulting.com/en-us/] * Efficio: Contact Us [https://www.efficioconsulting.com/en-us/contact/] * How Can the Food Sector Reconcile Cost Control and ESG Priorities? [https://www.efficioconsulting.com/en-gb/resources/insight/how-can-the-food-sector-reconcile-cost-control-and-esg-priorities/] * Resilient Strategies for Food Supply Chains in an Era of Climate Disruption [https://financialit.net/blog/foodsupplychains-resilience/resilient-strategies-food-supply-chains-era-climate-disruption] Follow Us on Social Media * Barbara Guignard: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaraguignard/] * Richard Howells: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells/], X [https://twitter.com/howellsrichard] * SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapscm/] Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! The post Episode 102: Sweet Challenges: Navigating the Chocolate Crisis in Global Supply Chains with Efficio’s Barbara Guignard [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain/2025/03/26/episode-102-sweet-challenges-navigating-the-chocolate-crisis-in-global-supply-chains-with-efficios-barbara-guignard/] first appeared on The Future of Supply Chain [https://podcast.opensap.info/the-future-of-supply-chain].