Driving Supply Chain Excellence: Highlights of the 2024 American Supply Chain Summit!

Hello, Dallas!

The 2024 American Supply Chain Summit, held from April 30 to May 1, 2024, was a spectacular convergence of industry leaders, seasoned professionals, and innovative thinkers eager to explore and shape the future of supply chain management, process optimization, and supplier relationship management.

This premier event brought together a diverse array of experts who shared groundbreaking insights, cutting-edge strategies, and best practices aimed at transforming supply chain operations in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation and enthusiasm, as attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and insightful keynote sessions.

For those who couldn't attend, we’ve compiled a vivid and detailed recount of the sessions and key takeaways from each day. Dive into the highlights of the Summit, including the most impactful presentations, notable quotes from industry visionaries, and the innovative solutions showcased.

Discover how the leading minds in the field are addressing current challenges, leveraging new technologies, and setting the stage for the future of supply chain excellence. This comprehensive recap ensures that you don’t miss out on the invaluable knowledge and inspiration that was shared at this influential gathering.

Table of Contents:

Day 1: Highlights and Key Takeaways

Day 2: Highlights and Key Takeaways

Day 1: Highlights and Key Takeaways

On the first day of the American Supply Chain Summit, we had an energetic welcome from our Room 1 Chair, Tom Cheslock, VP, Global Supply Chain, Hospital Supply at Pfizer. His opening remarks set the tone for an exciting and engaging event! 

We’d like to thank our break-out room emcees, Beth Mars, Director, Transportation, Frito-Lay North America, PepsiCo, and Jennifer Kobus, SVP, Supply Chain Planning and Operations from Ulta Beauty. 

The event started with an informative opening keynote from Donald Pratt, Chief Procurement Officer at McCormick & Company who opened the summit with an exciting discussion about Shaping the Future of Imperative Sourcing and Procurement Strategies. Donald highlighted the recipe for building high-performance teams to drive successful procurement strategies and drive results. 

During his plenary, Daryl Glass, VP, Last Mile, Integration from Target later took to the stage to discuss the Omnichannel supply chain and the last mile and how Target has developed innovations to create a guest-centric experience with increased next-day deliveries and flexibility! Other discussion points that Daryl highlighted also included how the digital landscape has influenced strategy to boost the 

Later on, Diane Sherwood from Algo and Sara Tattle from Microsoft delivered an insightful plenary on creating a single source of truth (SSOT) for inventory planning and forecasting. They emphasized the critical role of data integration in achieving this goal, explaining that a SSOT ensures that all stakeholders across the supply chain have access to the same, up-to-date information. This unified approach not only minimizes discrepancies but also enhances decision-making processes.

Sherwood and Tattle elaborated on how leveraging advanced data integration techniques can lead to significant improvements in efficiency. By consolidating data from various sources into a single, coherent system, companies can eliminate silos and ensure that information flows seamlessly across departments. This holistic view of inventory allows for more accurate forecasting, which is essential for meeting demand without overstocking or understocking.

Networking and Refreshments

After the morning sessions, attendees enjoyed a session of refreshments and networking, participating in pre-arranged one-to-one meetings. The atmosphere buzzed with lively conversations and the forging of new partnerships.

Focused Sessions

The late morning featured focused sessions that provided attendees with deep insights into various aspects of supply chain management.

Heleen Du Toit, SVP, Procurement Chief Member from Unilever discussed the critical topic of tackling invisible threats in inbound supply chains. She identified common but often overlooked risks such as supply disruptions, quality issues, and geopolitical factors that can significantly impact supply chain performance.

Du Toit offered thought-provoking resilience strategies to address these threats, emphasizing the importance of proactive risk management and continuous monitoring. By implementing advanced predictive analytics and establishing robust supplier relationships, companies can better anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions, ensuring a more resilient supply chain.

Additionally, Katie Holman, VP, Supply Chain, Meals and Baking from General Mills delved into cross-functional strategies for achieving supply chain excellence. She focused on the importance of collaboration and efficiency across the value chain. Holman explained how fostering a culture of teamwork and open communication among different departments, such as procurement, logistics, and production, can lead to more synchronized and efficient operations.

She highlighted successful initiatives at General Mills where cross-functional teams worked together to optimize inventory levels, improve supplier performance, and enhance customer satisfaction. 

Lunch & Learn Roundtables

The first round of lunch and learn roundtables was a hive of activity, offering attendees an in-depth exploration of various critical topics in supply chain management.

Diane Sherwood, Industry Principal, ThreeFiveOne from Algo navigated the intricacies of mastering demand planning, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies and tools required to accurately forecast demand.

Irwin Schneidmill, CFO, EVP, at LJM Group provided strategic insights on overcoming parcel shipping hurdles, a critical issue in today's fast-paced e-commerce environment. He highlighted the common challenges faced in parcel shipping, such as delivery delays, high shipping costs, and handling returns.

Additionally, we also heard from Yaniv Butel, CRO at Fixefy explored the practical applications of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Generative AI (GenAI) in the supply chain!

We also had the pleasure of hearing from Kevin Bolger, Emerging Technology Markets Department Manager from Esri during his lunch and learned that discussed The New Business Landscape: The First Thing Is the Where. At the same time, we also heard from Tony Bianco, Director Sales, Intermodal at CN who examined advanced warehouse automation technologies, focusing on the latest innovations that can transform warehouse operations.

Andy Recard, VP, Sales at KPI Solutions discussed Assessing & Justifying Warehouse Automation Technology during his Lunch & Learn. We were excited to also hear from Lou Leonardis, CFO, North America at TGW Group launched into a discussion around Understanding Financing Options for Automation Systems.

Overall, the workshops were rich with practical knowledge and actionable insights, empowering participants with the tools and knowledge needed to drive efficiency, innovation, and resilience in their supply chain operations.

Afternoon Sessions

After a much-needed lunch, we kicked off our afternoon sessions with Ilona Sroka, VP, Global Logistics Improvement and Transportation Operations at
3M discussed building resilience and embracing digitalization in logistics, offering invaluable perspectives on future navigation. Meanwhile, John Sutton, VP of Operations from Thermo Fisher Scientific emphasized a strategic vision for optimizing operations and enhancing customer experiences.

The afternoon workshops were equally engaging, which took place shortly afterward. Mohit Dubey, AWS Supply Chain Principal Sales, and Joshua Sheehan, Head of Enterprise Sales from Amazon Web Services delivered an insightful talk on transforming procurement for smarter operations.

Concurrently, Jason Lum, Strategic Alliance Partner from Locus Robotics debunked myths about AI in warehousing, providing an eye-opening look at its real impacts and benefits. Sebastian Kunze, Director, Pricing, Revenue Management from DeliverDirect discussed revolutionary approaches in airline logistics and supply chain shipping, captivating the audience with innovative solutions.

We then transitioned into some much-needed networking and drink receptions!

The day continued with a powerful Women In Leadership Panel Discussion, featuring leaders like Onyeka Okwuagwu, Senior Director, Product Supply from Mejuri and Haidé Villuendas, Regional VP, Supply Chain, Frito-Lay, PepsiCo, Deborah Egan, VP, Customer Supply Chain, Logistics, from Haleon Lucy Alexander, Global Head, Supply Chain Capabilities, AstraZeneca, Leila Jalai, SVP, Global Planning and Inventory Management at David Yurman.

They shared actionable strategies for empowering women in leadership and fostering systemic change.

We then moved into a plenary session led by Richard Kilmer, CEO and Founder of CargoSense, who explored the transformative power of digital twins and IoT technology in simplifying supply chain operations.

Plenary Discussion 

We later went into another engaging and informative distinguished Panel Discussion, including Mark Fratamico, SVP and CVP, Global Supply Chain Excellence, Henkel and Leila Jalai, SVP, Global Planning and Inventory Management, David Yurman, Jennifer Kobus, SVP, Supply Chain Planning and Operations, Ulta Beauty, Steeve Yammine, VP, Supply Chain Americas, APAC, Global Planning from BIC and moderated by Seth Weisberg, CEO, ABCO Systems LLC. They discussed overcoming demand challenges, leveraging technology, and enhancing supply chain visibility.

The day ended with a lively networking drinks reception, providing further opportunities for attendees to connect and share their insights. The atmosphere was electric with excitement and newfound connections.

Day 2: Highlights and Key Takeaways

Day 2 of the event started with the Chair's Opening Remarks in Room 1!

The second day began with a Networking Breakfast, where attendees started the day with an energizing breakfast hosted by one of our esteemed sponsors, GXO. Concurrently, attendees had the opportunity to enjoy Breakfast Briefs hosted by Benchmark Gensuite, discussing Best Practices for Implementing a Supply Chain Sustainability Program.

TGW Group also hosted an engaging breakfast focusing on Decoding Retail Industry Insights for Smarter Automation Investments, providing exclusive insights to boost supply chain strategy and operations.

Day 2: Opening Keynote

We moved into the opening keynote for Day 2, led by Thomas Schulte, SVP and Head of Governance Supply Chain Management Purchasing at Robert Bosch GmbH. He discussed Navigating Supply Chain Sustainability: Fulfilling ESG, Resilience, and Reporting Requirements.

This session dived into the world of supply chain sustainability, building resilience in supply operations, and fulfilling ESG requirements. Attendees thoroughly enjoyed this session and walked away with key insights to propel their organizations.

Morning Sessions

We later moved into our morning plenary session led by Mari Robert, VP of Transportation at Frito-Lay, PepsiCo. She spoke on navigating transportation excellence through leadership, highlighting the importance of collaboration and optimization in logistics.

Shortly afterward, we launched into workshops led by our sponsors. In Room 1, Amin Sikander, President of Synkrato, and Abhishek Mishra, Senior Manager of IT Global Distribution, Manufacturing at Zebra, led a workshop titled Charting the Road to the Autonomous Warehouse. They explored the path to autonomous warehouses, showcasing how digital twins and AI can drive significant productivity gains.

In Room 2, Kurt Spyke, Director of National Accounts, Strategic Products at Big Joe Forklifts, and Kevin Lawton, Podcast Host of The New Warehouse Podcast, led a workshop titled Smart Material Handling for Efficient Warehousing: Separating Hype from Reality. They discussed the state of material handling and how to build efficient warehouses.

In Room 3, Nicole Osborn, Manager of QHSE Operational Excellence at Avetta, led a workshop titled How AI Is Impacting Supply Chain Management: Accessing and Integrating with Ease Using Our Rest API Standard Protocol Architecture. Key discussion points centered on fortifying defenses with pull integration.

After engaging in workshops led by our sponsors, attendees took the opportunity to continue networking and engage in one-to-one meetings, further strengthening their professional connections and sharing industry insights.

Morning Workshops

We went straight into a round of our esteemed speaker faculty-led sessions. In Room 1, Douglas Augusto Guilherme, VP of Supply Chain, US and Canada at The Hershey Company, led a discussion titled Leveraging Seasoned Expertise: Unleashing the Power of Proven Excellence in Supply Chain Dynamics. He shared transformative leadership insights, focusing on empowering teams and mastering logistics for customer satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Melania Luna, VP and Head of Supply Chain, Operations, and Procurement USA at Nestlé, Nespresso USA, discussed impactful strategies for optimizing supplier relationships and strategic sourcing during her session Mastering Supplier Relationship Management: Unleashing Supply Chain Optimization.

Gianmichele Alivia, VP of Distribution at EssilorLuxottica, led a session titled Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in the Evolving Supply Chain Landscape. He explored innovative recruitment and retention strategies in the evolving supply chain landscape.

We later launched into more sponsored workshops where Allie Welsh-Truong, Content Manager, and Melodie Hays, VP from SupplierWiki, led a workshop titled Utilizing Automation to Meet Compliance Goals and Maximize Cash Flow at Walmart, discussing how to leverage automation to meet compliance goals.

Meanwhile, Dale Manske, Financial Controller at Viking Products, led another workshop alongside Jim Hilbert, CRO at Pando, providing a compelling look at aligning financial goals with operational excellence.

John Dougherty, Head of Manufacturing, Americas at ServiceNow, highlighted the benefits of streamlining operations for enhanced productivity in his workshop, Unlocking Success with ServiceNow: Transforming Work Experiences Together.

Fireside Chat

Shortly afterward, we enjoyed an engaging and insightful Fireside Chat with Aleck Matambo, Senior Director of Procurement at Google, and Randal Kenworthy, Global Industry Lead for Consumer and Industrial Products at West Monroe.

They delved into procurement, partnerships, and talent in modern supply chain evolution, offering cross-industry collaboration and innovative strategies. Their Fireside Chat titled Strategic Synergy: Procurement, Partnerships, and Talent in Modern Supply Chain Evolution gained significant traction with attendees and fueled considerable interest.

Lunch and Learn Roundtables

During lunch, we enjoyed roundtable discussions led by speakers from our end-user companies. Onyeka Okwuagwu, Senior Director of Product Supply at Mejuri, led a session titled Crafting Brilliance: Showcasing Mejuri's Unique Inventory Management Strategy.

Wes Warren, VP of Global Logistics at SharkNinja, led a discussion titled Exploring Optimal 3PL/4PL Engagement Strategies. Elwyn Remos, VP of Operations, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Logistics at Kodiak Cakes, tackled Exploring Building a Procurement Team to Improve Supply Chain Resiliency and Support Growth Ambitions, while Deborah Egan, VP of Customer Supply Chain, Logistics, and Repacking at Haleon, spoke about Connecting Your Customers to Your E2E Supply Chain.

For the final stretch of the event, Rahil Siddiqui, Founder and CEO of Gig and Take, led a plenary discussion on Building a Flexible and Future-Proof Workforce. This session focused on building a flexible and future-proof workforce, emphasizing adaptive scheduling and strategic preparation for future skill shifts.

Closing Sessions

The day concluded with a Fireside Chat featuring Adrienne Trimble, VP and Chief Diversity and Culture Officer at Sysco Corporation, and Jennifer Kobus, SVP of Supply Chain Planning and Operations at Ulta Beauty.

They focused on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within supply chain management. Their insights into creating a global culture of belonging were both inspiring and practical.

Finally, we had the Chair's Closing Remarks led by our Room 1 Emcee, Tom Cheslock, VP, Global Supply Chain, Hospital Supply, from Pfizer who wrapped up the summit by handing out prizes to our two winners, concluding a successful and transformative event filled with invaluable insights and networking opportunities.

The 2024 American Supply Chain Summit was a beacon of innovation and collaboration, providing attendees with a wealth of knowledge and new connections. These detailed highlights capture the essence of a transformative event that is set to drive future advancements in the supply chain industry.

Learn more about our upcoming North American Events:

• American Medical Device Summit | October 1-2, 2024
• American Food Manufacturing Summit | November 7-8, 2024
• American Automotive Summit | November 12-13, 2024 
• American Pharma Manufacturing & Outsourcing Summit | November 18-19, 2024
• American Aerospace & Defense Summit | December 4-5, 2024

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