Supply Chain Now

The supply chain landscape continues to shift at record speed, and on today’s episode of Supply Chain Now, hosts Scott Luton and Kim Reuter unpack the leadership decisions, technology investments, and strategic partnerships shaping what’s next for global supply chains. From the evolving relationship between Amazon and UPS to the growing influence of AI in procurement, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on what’s practical, scalable, and impactful. Welcome to The Buzz powered by EPG!
Scott and Kim dive into the biggest stories influencing supply chain strategy today, with help from special guest Scott McFee, CEO of SpendHQ.
Together, they discuss:
How Amazon’s expanding logistics footprint is reshaping UPS’s operations and long-term strategy
Why leadership turnover is creating disruption across supply chains, according to new Gartner research
What Oracle’s latest findings reveal about AI’s real impact on procurement productivity
How SpendHQ’s investment in Sligo AI is unlocking smarter, data-driven purchasing decisions
Lessons from Cowart Seafood’s digital transformation — and what legacy businesses can learn from it
How Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership principles still apply to today’s supply chain leaders

This episode offers timely insights for executives navigating change, technology adoption, and organizational resilience — with practical takeaways to help teams lead with clarity, purpose, and confidence in an increasingly complex world.
Additional Links & Resources:
EPG: https://epg.com/
With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-18JAN2026
American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN): https://www.alanaid.org/operations/
Gartner Survey Shows Leadership Turnover Is Harming Supply Chain Performance: https://gtnr.it/49KCQ9I
AI May Boost Procurement’s Bottom Line: https://bit.ly/AI-in-procurement-26
SpendHQ CEO Scott MacFee on Bracing for USPS hikes: https://bit.ly/4r6EBoV
EPG Develops AI-Driven Logistics Solutions Powered by NVIDIA Metropolis: https://bit.ly/EPG-News-2026
SpendHQ Makes Strategic Investment in Sligo AI to Launch First Agentic Enterprise Procurement Platform: https://bwnews.pr/3ZlBqh4

Automation is showing up everywhere in supply chain planning, but the winners aren’t the ones automating the most. They’re the ones choosing the right decisions to automate, bringing people along early, and using AI to build speed and confidence in planning.
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and special guest host Karin Bursa, CEO of NIRAKIO, welcome Noha Samara, Senior Director, Global Supply Chain at Gartner, to share key takeaways from the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit in Denver.
Noha unpacks why AI is shifting from “side experiment” to a core part of planning’s operating model, and why the most successful organizations define a clear human-machine strategy instead of trying to “spread AI like peanut butter.” The conversation spotlights the “people side” of transformation: change management, capability-building, and involving planners early so AI is implemented with teams, not to them.
The group also dives into end-to-end data and scenario-driven range planning, including how top performers extend those range discussions with suppliers, customers, and trading partners. They close by emphasizing agility through targeted automation, clarity on humans “in/on/off the loop,” and why leaders can’t afford to sit on the sidelines as the pace of disruption and innovation accelerates.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(01:35) Key takeaways from the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit
(07:24) Discussion on AI and human-machine strategy
(08:59) Change management in transformation
(10:25) Continuous transformation
(13:34) Reflections from top supply chain organizations
(18:32) Powering agility with automation
(21:08) Defining the role of AI
(27:21) Meaningful automation in business
(29:17) Leadership and change management
(36:31) Touchless manufacturing and practical AI applications
(41:21) Reimagining supply chain resilience
Additional Links & Resources:
Connect with Noha Samara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noha-samara-4864863/
Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/en
Connect with Karin Bursa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinbursa/
Learn more about NIRAKIO: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nirakio/
Connect with Scott Luton:

Operating conditions for supply chains continue to shift faster than most organizations can plan for. Labor pressures, evolving customer expectations, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasingly complex global networks are forcing leaders to rethink how decisions get made and how teams stay aligned when certainty is no longer guaranteed.
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Mario Morhy, Vice President, Integrated Planning at Sam’s Club, Mike Gomes, Vice President of Supply Chain North America at Perfetti Van Melle, and Rodrigo Alponti, Senior Vice President Global Supply Chain at STADA Group. Together, they reflect on how supply chain leadership has evolved over the past year, moving away from linear optimization toward adaptability, resilience, and closer collaboration with customers and partners.
The panel also explores how AI is accelerating the pace of insight and action, enabling faster scenario planning, stronger visibility, and more empowered teams. Rather than replacing people, AI emerges as a decision-making copilot, freeing leaders to focus on risk, tradeoffs, and long-term value. The conversation closes with practical leadership takeaways on learning faster than competitors, asking better questions, and building cultures that can turn volatility into advantage.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(02:58) Mike Gomes shares supply chain leadership insights
(04:16) Rodrigo Alponti's global supply chain perspective
(06:20) Mario Morhy's role at Sam's Club
(08:18) Supply chain challenges and innovations discussed
(18:05) Customer centricity in the never normal
(25:18) Current challenges in today's supply chain
(30:12) Walmart's AI integration in supply chain
(32:01) AI as a copilot for supply chain employees
(38:07) Transforming volatility into competitive advantage
(43:02) Key questions leaders should ask their teams
Additional Links & Resources:
Connect with Mario Morhy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariomorhy/
Learn more about Sam’s Club: https://www.samsclub.com/
Connect with Mike Gomes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-gomes-282228/
Learn more about Perfetti Van Melle: https://www.perfettivanmelle.com/
Connect with Rodrigo Alponti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigo-alponti-a9873/
Learn more about STADA

The future of supply chain is entering a pivotal moment, and in this episode of Supply Chain Now, we unpack the trends, risks, and realities that will define 2026 and beyond. From geopolitical uncertainty and economic turbulence to shifting trade policy, energy innovation, and workforce challenges, this conversation cuts through the headlines to focus on what supply chain leaders must be ready for now. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EPG!
Listen in as hosts Scott Luton and Jake Barr break down the most critical forces reshaping global supply chains — and what they mean for strategy, resilience, and execution in an increasingly volatile world. They’re joined by special guest Tanzil Uddin, Senior Vice President of Content and Partnerships at Manifest, who brings a unique perspective on industry leadership, community, and the broader role supply chains play in society.
Together, they discuss:
Why geopolitical risk and economic turbulence are no longer episodic — and how leaders must redesign supply chains for constant volatility
The potential implications of upcoming Supreme Court decisions on tariffs and what normalization of trade disruption could mean for 2026 planning
Five defining trends executives should be watching closely, including supply chain fragmentation, cost optimization pressures, AI recalibration, and persistent workforce challenges
How rising energy demands tied to AI and advanced technology are fueling renewed interest in nuclear innovation
Why National Human Trafficking Prevention Month matters to the supply chain community — and how supply chain professionals can play a meaningful role in combating human trafficking through awareness and action

Tune in for a timely, thought-provoking discussion that connects strategy, technology, and social responsibility — and challenges supply chain leaders to stay agile, informed, and purpose-driven as they navigate what’s next.
Additional Links & Resources:
EPG: https://epg.com/
With That Said:https://bit.ly/WTS-11-JAN-2026
American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN): https://www.alanaid.org/operations/
Manifest: https://partner.manife.st/partner/supplychainnow
5 supply chain management trends to watch in 2026: https://bit.ly/2026-SCM-Trends
Supreme Court holds off on Trump tariff ruling for now — what’s at stake for economy: https://bit.ly/3LvCDiH
Rolls-Royce SMR project could kickstart EU supply chain:

Welcome to 2026 — and welcome to Supply Chain Now. In this episode, we kick off the new year by welcoming new listeners and sharing how you can engage with one of the world’s most active supply chain communities.
We reflect on an incredible 2025, including our milestone of ranking in the top 1% of podcasts globally, and break down what makes Supply Chain Now unique — from three weekly podcast episodes to live streams, webinars, and conversations that bring supply chain professionals together from around the world.
Looking ahead, we tease what’s coming next in 2026, including new miniseries, fresh formats, and a continued focus on innovation, connection, and meaningful industry dialogue. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just discovering the show, this episode is your invitation to plug in, join the conversation, and help shape what’s next for the global supply chain community.
Additional Links & Resources:
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/our-team-and-hosts/
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- 2026 Procurement Priorities: What’s Changing (and What You Need to Do First): https://bit.ly/3Yodf0Z
WEBINAR- Building the New Manufacturing Workforce: https://bit.ly/4iVb4vl
WEBINAR- Building the Foundation for Agentic AI in the Modern Supply Chain: https://bit.ly/4s634vN

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/unveiling-future-supply-chain-primer-2026-1532