Supply Chain Now

• The Buzz: Navigating the Complexities of Cold Chain Logistics

  Today we delve into pressing cybersecurity issues, recent developments in warehouse demand, and the need for more operational efficiency in the cold chain industry.. Welcome to The Buzz powered by AutoScheduler!Hosts Scott Luton and Tandreia Bellamy welcome special guest Ilya Preston, Co-Founder & CEO of PAXAFE, to discuss:The ongoing tariff challenges and how companies like Lovesac are navigating these through strategic supplier negotiations, production shifts, price adjustments, and cost-cutting measuresThe warehouse industry, where a resurgence in demand is noted, reflecting broader economic trendsThe pressing issues surrounding cybersecurity within the supply chain, particularly during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, highlighting the alarming trend of declining budgets despite increasing cyber threatsThe burgeoning cold chain industry and the necessity for orchestration in ensuring operational efficiencyJoin us as we unpack these pivotal topics and their implications for the future of global supply chains, offering actionable insights for industry professionals.Additional Links & Resources:With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS19Oct2025AutoScheduler.AI: https://autoscheduler.aiSAP Supply Chain Orchestration: https://bit.ly/SAP4Nov2025 Lovesac sees ‘strong progress’ from 4-step tariff plan: https://bit.ly/LovesacTariffsPrologis Raises Outlook as Warehouse Leasing Picks Up: https://on.wsj.com/4opnRaTCIOs, CEOs split on key tech decisions: https://bit.ly/CIOsCEOsAutoScheduler Warehouse Decision Agent: https://autoscheduler.ai/agent-gate/ The Real Cold Chain Problem Isn’t Visibility — It’s Your Approach: https://bit.ly/PAXAFEblogLearn more about Paxafe: https://www.paxafe.com/Connect with IIya Preston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyapreston/ Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Optimizing End-to-End Logistics: Efficiency, Collaboration, and Innovation- https://bit.ly/4ml2TZhWEBINAR- Empowering Decision-Making in 2026 with Supply Chain Orchestration: https://bit.ly/3W7swlLThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton...

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• Key Elements to Optimizing Supply Chain Leadership for 2026 and Beyond

  In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Paul Brooks, founder of Go Further Consulting, and Dave Food, Chief Strategy Officer at Prophetic Technology, to explore the evolving demands of supply chain leadership in today’s global economy. They discuss how the role has become more visible since the COVID-19 pandemic, why leadership fundamentals like judgment, communication, and resilience remain constant, and how AI and technology are reshaping the way leaders think and operate.Paul shares insights from interviewing 50 global executives on servant leadership and values-based decision making. At the same time, Dave emphasizes the importance of T-shaped leaders who balance specialist expertise with a broad organizational perspective. Together, they highlight why empowering teams to experiment safely, aligning metrics across functions, and fostering collaboration with suppliers and customers are critical for long-term success. This conversation offers a clear roadmap for developing future-ready leaders who can navigate complexity and inspire high-performing teams.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(03:48) Core mantras and leadership philosophies(07:23) Paul and Dave’s career journeys(11:35) Challenges facing supply chain leadership today(16:23) Why customer experience drives supply chains(18:26) The bigger picture and process explained(27:02) The role of the wider team(28:38) Aligning KPIs with new CEO strategies(29:29) Supply chain leadership in the boardroom(31:51) Specialists versus generalists in supply chain(36:02) Understanding the T-shaped leader concept(42:39) Leadership mistakes to avoid in supply chains(45:22) Future trends in supply chain leadership(48:46) Projects and initiatives from Paul and DaveAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Paul Brooks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbrooksfcilt/Learn more about Go Further Consulting: http://www.gofurtherconsulting.co.uk/Learn more about Paul’s website: www.wordstoinspire.co.ukConnect with Dave Food: http://www.linkedin.com/in/davefoodLearn more about Prophetic Technology: https://www.prophetic-technology.com/Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/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...

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• Ask Me Anything on Reverse Logistics & Returns

  In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and special guest host Claudia Freed, President & CEO of EALGreen, welcome Chuck Johnston, Chief Strategy Officer at ReturnPro, for a deep dive into the “dark side” of supply chain: reverse logistics and returns management. They unpack why returns are a nearly trillion-dollar challenge in the U.S., how BORIS (buy online, return in store) strains store operations, and why many retailers still under-invest: leaders often can’t see the full cost across functions or make the ROI case for what’s treated as a cost center.Chuck shares how the space has evolved from yellow notepads to data-driven decisioning, highlighting intelligent algorithms that route items at the customer’s first return click, fraud mitigation with imaging and behavior signals, and how third-party innovation is compressing software build times. Claudia adds a nonprofit and circularity lens: donation channels, extended tax credits, and AI pilots (computer vision + MCP agents) that identify item condition and slotting in real time. Together, they explore where to start, why cross-functional “ambassadors” matter, and how partnerships across retailers, manufacturers, nonprofits, and 3PLs can turn returns from margin erosion into measurable value and social impact.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(04:03) Warm-up questions and fun facts(05:54) Chuck Johnston's career journey(13:53) Challenges and opportunities in returns management(21:47) Technological innovations in returns management(29:50) AI solutions in inventory management(30:26) Tax benefits and opportunities for companies(31:06) The golden age of supply chain tech(31:44) AI's impact on fraud management(34:44) The debate on more returns vs. fewer returns(37:08) The EU Circular Economy Act(39:18) Returns fraud and data analytics(47:00) The importance of education and ambassadors(49:45) Connecting with industry leaders(52:01) Resources and upcoming eventsResourcesConnect with Chuck Johnston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-johnston-b07b3b4/ Connect with Claudia Freed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiafreed/ Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/Learn more about ReturnPro: https://www.returnpro.comDownload a copy of the Returns Report: 2025 Holiday Edition by ReturnPro: https://www.returnpro.com/resources/blog/returns-report-2025-holiday-edition Learn more about EALGreen: https://www.ealgreen.org Register for The Optimized Digital Transformer: Key Concepts for Enhancing Modern Leadership and other upcoming webinars: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/ Learn more about...

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• The Buzz: Automation, Tariffs, & Holiday Spending

  Today we're diving into the multifaceted world of supply chain dynamics, emphasizing the critical importance of effective leadership amidst the ever-evolving challenges within the industry. Welcome to The Buzz powered by AutoScheduler!Hosts Scott Luton and Marty Parker welcome special guest Guy Courtin, Vice President of Industry and Global Alliances at Tecsys, to discuss:The necessity for clarity in communication, particularly during adverse situationsThe dual need for leaders to provide both positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to their teamsThe upcoming holiday spending season, forecasting a noticeable shift in consumer behavior towards seeking deals, a trend that is likely influenced by broader economic factors and ongoing supply chain disruptionsAutomating supply chain processes and the implications of recent tariffs on global tradeJoin us for this episode that will have you rethinking your strategies and embracing adaptability in an increasingly complex landscape.Additional Links & Resources:With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS12Oct2025AutoScheduler.AI: https://autoscheduler.aiManifest: www.ManifestVegas.com/SupplyChainNow Trump plans fresh China tariffs in response to rare earth export controls: http://bit.ly/4qfACqvPower outages drive supply chain worries, report says: https://bit.ly/NeedMoreJuiceOnline holiday spending growth set to slow to 5.3% as shoppers seek discounts: https://cnb.cx/47lfd7IJim Farley’s ‘essential economy’ drive at Ford: https://bit.ly/FordCEOIntAutoScheduler Warehouse Decision Agent: https://autoscheduler.ai/agent-gate/ Tecsys: https://www.tecsys.com/Connect with Guy Courtin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guycourtin/ Connect with Marty Parker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martyparker/ Follow Scott on LI: https://www.linkedin.comLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- The Optimized Digital Transformer: Key Concepts for Enhancing Modern Leadership:

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• Supply Chain Talent & Leadership Trends Across Africa

  In this episode of Supply Chain Now, and part of the Supply Chain Leadership Across Africa series, Scott Luton is joined by co-host Clare Fincham of SAPICS, with guests Nicole Petersen from the South African Graduate Employers Association, and Yaseen Ahmid, CEO of Luna, to explore the biggest takeaways from the SAPICS Annual Conference 2025 in Cape Town. Together, they discuss the rising demand for supply chain graduates, the growing emphasis on sustainability skills, and the widening gap between what universities teach and what employers need.Nicole shares how initiatives like Quantify Your Future are creating clear pathways for students, while Yaseen highlights the importance of tailoring resumes, building early employer relationships, and showcasing entrepreneurial soft skills. Clare emphasizes the role of community and collaboration in extending conference conversations into universities and businesses. This discussion offers a roadmap for addressing supply chain talent shortages and preparing Africa’s workforce to lead in global innovation.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(01:01) Supply chain leadership across Africa(02:10) Introducing Nicole Petersen and Yaseen Ahmid(04:16) Cape Town experiences and warm-up questions(07:40) SAGEA’s role in early career talent(10:24) Luna and career development with Yaseen(14:12) SAPICS Annual Conference 2025 highlights(20:47) Talent trends in South African supply chains(25:05) Recap and industry insights shared(26:25) Tailoring resumes for specific roles(28:05) Case study: Quantify Your Future initiative(32:36) Case study: Drexel supply chain advisory board(41:13) Innovative leadership examples from AfricaResources:Connect with Nicole Petersen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-petersen-sagea/Learn more about the South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA): https://sagea.org.za/Connect with Yaseen Ahmid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaseen-ahmid/Learn more about Luna: https://luna-resume.com/Connect with Clare Fincham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-fincham-5aab6a27/Learn more about SAPICS: https://www.sapics.org/Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here:

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