Supply Chain Now

In this episode of The Buzz, we explore the accelerating pace of supply chain transformation—from AI and automation to talent challenges, micro-fulfillment, and the evolving role of leadership in a volatile business environment. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by OptiLogic!
Hosts Scott Luton and Rick McDonald unpack some of the biggest developments shaping global supply chain today, including Amazon’s expanding supply chain services model, the growing pressure on traditional logistics providers, and the continued rise of AI-first operations. The conversation also dives into key takeaways from MODEX 2026, highlighting trends in warehouse automation, robotics, talent development, forecasting, and change management. Along the way, the episode draws leadership lessons from legendary Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox and explores what today’s supply chain leaders must do to stay resilient, competitive, and customer-focused in an era defined by disruption and rapid innovation.
Key Learnings & Takeaways
AI is reshaping supply chain strategy, forecasting, and operational decision-making
Amazon’s supply chain services expansion could significantly disrupt logistics markets
Warehouse automation and robotics continue to accelerate across the industry
Change management remains one of the biggest barriers to successful transformation
Companies must rethink hiring strategies to secure future-ready talent
Data only matters if it solves meaningful business problems
Micro-fulfillment and faster delivery expectations are redefining supply chain networks
Strong leadership, adaptability, and customer focus are more critical than ever

As supply chains face mounting complexity, rising customer expectations, and constant disruption, organizations that embrace innovation, invest in talent, and execute with agility will separate themselves from the competition. This episode delivers practical insights and forward-looking perspectives for leaders navigating the next era of supply chain transformation.

Additional Links & Resources:
Optilogic: https://optilogic.com/
Optilogic Webinar: Ahead of Disruption: https://bit.ly/AI-First-SupplyChainDesign
With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-17-May-2026
Bobby Cox Leadership: https://bit.ly/Bobby-Cox-Leadership
Supply Chain USA 2026: https://bit.ly/Reuters-Supply-Chain-USA-2026
Beyond the Robot: Why Software Is Driving the Next Wave of Warehouse Automation: https://bit.ly/4tFjJ8Y
Building the Next Generation of Supply Chain Leaders: https://bit.ly/4nBrJGx
Think Small to Win Big: Rethinking Supply Chain Design in the Age of E-Commerce: https://bit.ly/4dUkJjZ
How to Find Cost Reductions in Your Supply Chain: https://bit.ly/Finding-Cost-Reductions-In-Your-SupplyChain
There's No Finish Line in Leadership: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5330395/392D4899CF71F7895EAF22D08D987BA0
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickmcdonald82/
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
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- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq
WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D
WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf

This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Rick McDonald and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/the-buzz-supply-chain-leaders-must-adapt-faster-than-ever

Most organizations don't have a technology problem. They have a focus problem.
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton, together with co-host Kim Humphrey, President and CEO of AME, is joined by Rami Goldratt, CEO of Goldratt Group, for a practical, no-fluff deep dive into the Theory of Constraints and what it actually takes to drive breakthrough performance in today's business environment. From why most companies are automating what they can instead of what they should, to the danger of spreading resources thin across too many initiatives, Rami brings decades of real-world experience helping organizations across manufacturing, retail, automotive, engineering, and logistics unlock significant gains in throughput and lead time reduction. Kim adds her lens on why continuous improvement and constraints-thinking are more intertwined than ever, and why the principles Rami's father Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt pioneered are not just still relevant but urgently needed right now.
The conversation spans the full arc: inherent simplicity, managing uncertainty with buffers and fast feedback loops, the tug of war between local efficiency and global performance, and what it looks like when an entire engineering organization aligns behind a single constraint to achieve the impossible. The Mazda story alone is worth the listen. If you're navigating complexity, chasing results that keep falling short, or trying to build an organization that can actually adapt and execute, this one's for you.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(08:43) Rami's career journey and key lessons learned
(15:26) The legacy and simplicity of Dr Eliyahu Goldratt
(18:30) Biggest trends and challenges facing businesses today
(23:39) What is Theory of Constraints and the three fears
(28:09) Why forecasts keep getting less accurate over time
(31:35) Common TOC misconceptions and local vs global efficiency
(38:09) Why supply chain variety is destroying forecast accuracy
(47:15) The Mazda case study and TOC in action
Additional Links & Resources:
Connect with Rami Goldratt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramigoldratt/
Learn more about Goldratt Consulting: https://goldrattgroup.com/
Connect with Kim Humphrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlee-kim-h-5977474/
Learn more about AME: https://www.ame.org/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
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://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/
WEBINAR- Delivering Flawless Field Service with Predictive Insights and AI: https://bit.ly/4sXVZfV
WEBINAR- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq
WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D
WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf

This episode was 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/why-theory-constraints-more-relevant-than-ever-before-1586

Every year, Americans return nearly a trillion dollars’ worth of products. But once those items leave our hands, most of us never think about where they go—or what happens next.
In this Supply Chain Now Classic Episode, first published in early Februry 2026, host Deborah Dull takes listeners inside the little-known world of reverse logistics, where returned products are sorted, resold, recycled, repaired, or too often, discarded. What emerges is a complex and fragmented system struggling to capture more than $200 billion in lost value—along with critical materials that could power a more resilient, sustainable economy.
This special feature explores the people, processes, and infrastructure behind returns, revealing both the challenges and the massive untapped opportunity hidden in plain sight. From outdated systems and disconnected networks to innovative approaches reshaping how products are recovered and reused, Remade in America uncovers what’s really happening after “return” is clicked.
Along the way, Deborah asks a provocative question: Is “Made in America” still the right goal—or is the future about something more powerful?
What if the real opportunity isn’t just making more, but making better use of what we already have?
Through expert insights, real-world stories, and on-the-ground perspectives, Remade in America redefines how we think about returns, recovery, and the future of supply chains in a resource-constrained world.
This is a story about waste, value, resilience—and how reimagining reverse logistics could help reshape American industry for the next generation.

Additional Links & Resources:
Connect with Deborah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahdull/
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
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- Delivering Flawless Field Service with Predictive Insights and AI: https://bit.ly/4sXVZfV
WEBINAR- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq
WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D
WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf

This episode is hosted by Deborah Dull and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/remade-america-1541

In this episode of The Buzz, we explore the future of reverse logistics, circularity, supply chain design, and the growing role of AI in transforming how businesses move, manage, and reuse products. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by OptiLogic!
Hosts Scott Luton and Richard Donaldson break down several major supply chain developments, including the rise of AI-first supply chain design, the growing need for visibility in big and bulky retail deliveries, and Amazon’s expanding supply chain services. Special guest Sender Shamiss, CEO and co-founder of ReturnPro, joins the conversation to unpack why reverse logistics is becoming a major strategic opportunity, not just a cost center. From returns management and recommerce to circularity, fraud detection, and the future of reusable materials, this episode offers a practical look at how supply chain leaders can unlock value, reduce waste, and rethink what happens after the sale.
Key Learnings & Takeaways
AI-first supply chain design is accelerating smarter, faster decision-making
Big and bulky retail delivery still needs better visibility and customer communication
Amazon’s supply chain services could reshape fulfillment, logistics, and recommerce
Reverse logistics is moving from a back-end function to a strategic growth engine
Reuse should come before recycling when building circular supply chains
Returns fraud is creating new challenges—and new technology opportunities
Circularity will require better data, smarter systems, and more investment

As supply chains become more complex, the biggest opportunities may come from rethinking what already exists: returned products, reused materials, smarter networks, and better visibility. This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to turn reverse logistics from a challenge into a competitive advantage.

Additional Links & Resources:
Optilogic: https://optilogic.com/
Optilogic Webinar: Ahead of Disruption: https://bit.ly/AI-First-SupplyChainDesign
With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-9-May-2026
Why big and bulky delivery is the final frontier for retail supply chains: https://bit.ly/Big-And-Bulky-Innovation
Amazon opens logistics network to all businesses: https://bit.ly/Amazon-Launches-ASCS
Reverse Logistics: The Strategic Engine Driving the Secondary Mobile Device Market: https://bit.ly/Mobile-Device-Reverse-Logistics
Startup Pitches X-Rays and AI to Catch Fraudulent Returns: https://bit.ly/42wavRp
ReturnPro: https://www.returnpro.com/
Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/
Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
Sender on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sender-shamiss-19796515/
Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarddonaldson/
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
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- There's No Finish Line in Leadership: Tips to Optimize Your Strategy & Execution: https://bit.ly/4tHOWJA
WEBINAR- Delivering Flawless Field Service with Predictive Insights and AI: https://bit.ly/4sXVZfV
WEBINAR- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq
WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D
WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf

This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Richard Donaldson, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-reverse-logistics-reshaping-retail-recommerce-1584

AI in the supply chain has moved well beyond the pilot stage, but for many organizations, it still hasn't moved far enough.
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton, together with co-host Jorge Morales, Global COO of ISCEA, is joined by Prabhat Pinnaka, Lead Product Manager for Supply Chain at Lowe's Companies, Inc., and Advisory Board Member at ISCEA for a practical, been-there-done-that deep dive on AI-driven supply chain transformation. From what separates organizations that actually scale AI from those stuck in endless experimentation, to the guardrails every enterprise needs before letting AI execute autonomously, Prabhat brings a hard-won perspective from working with Fortune 50 companies across fulfillment, warehouse operations, and enterprise decision support. Jorge adds his lens on what it means to be AI-competent, not just AI-aware, and why that distinction will define the next generation of supply chain professionals.
The conversation spans the full arc: change management, data integrity, bonded autonomy, and what it looks like when AI shifts a DC manager's role from operational execution to strategic governance. If you're navigating your own AI journey or building the next generation of supply chain talent, this one's for you.
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Intro
(06:03) Prabhat's career: lessons in adoption
(08:29) AI competence: finding the sweet spot
(11:26) Building AI foundations for success
(18:21) Moving AI from pilots to scale
(23:50) Recommendations vs. execution in AI use
(28:04) Establishing guardrails for autonomous AI
(33:44) Computer vision example in supply chain
(47:06) Getting AI competent in six months
Additional Links & Resources:
Connect with Prabhat Pinnaka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prabhat-pinnaka-a9549421/
Connect with Jorge Morales: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgeamorales/
Learn more about Lowe’s Companies, Inc.: https://www.lowes.com/
Learn more about ISCEA: https://www.iscea.org/
Learn more about SCTechShow: https://www.sctechshow.com/
Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
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://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/
WEBINAR- How “Almost Right” Shipping Decisions Turn Into Six-Figure Losses: https://bit.ly/4mMov2T
WEBINAR- There's No Finish Line in Leadership: Tips to Optimize Your Strategy & Execution: https://bit.ly/4tHOWJA
WEBINAR- Delivering Flawless Field Service with Predictive Insights and AI: https://bit.ly/4sXVZfV
WEBINAR- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq
WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D

This episode was 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/secret-sauce-tips-leaders-want-scale-ai-effectively-1583