Supply Chain - Unfiltered

Institute for Supply Management®

Supply Chain — Unfiltered, presented by the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®), is 20-to-30-minutes of everything you want to know about end-to-end supply chain but were afraid to ask. Our podcasts put supply chains front and center where they belong. Supply chains work 24/7 to keep people and places functioning and thriving. Without supply chains’ effectiveness — our world stops. (Remember the 2020 pandemic?) You’ll hear from industry experts sharing elements of the profession and their impact on financial markets, geopolitics and world trade. It’s real, raw and transparent. The more you tune in to Supply Chain — Unfiltered, perspective shifts about how you see the world and the ways you contribute to its livelihood. We invite you to be part of the ISM® community.

  1. 1 APR

    Thriving at the Intersection of AI, Ethics, and Profit

    Your supply chain decisions can feel like you’re parked in the middle of a busy intersection with traffic coming from every direction: operational pressure, ethical expectations, AI disruption, and the constant demand for profitability. We sit down with Burkhard Schemmel, senior sales leader at Maersk and founder of the Research Institute of Alterocentric Business Ethics, to make that chaos workable and to turn “ethics” into something you can actually use. We talk about what business ethics really means beyond ESG and compliance, including why his team built a practical framework with 120 criteria that can be applied across industries and geographies. You’ll hear why ethics has global common ground but also local nuance, especially in sales behavior, negotiations, and pricing. Burkhard shares how different operating models, from large standardized enterprises to long-horizon family-owned businesses, can change the way ethical decisions show up in the real world. Then we get specific about the messiest moments: tariffs, capacity shortages, and unpredictable trade conditions. Burkhard makes the case for transparency and open-book pricing as a trust builder with customers and third-party partners, and we explore how de-risking strategies like local sourcing and multi-sourcing are reshaping supply chain resilience. Finally, we look at AI agents and what they could automate in procurement and logistics, plus what stays human when software starts making recommendations at scale. If you want a clearer way to prioritize ethics, resilience, AI, and profit without treating them as enemies, this conversation will help. Subscribe, share the show with a supply chain leader you respect, and leave a review so more people can find Supply Chain - Unfiltered.

    37 min

  2. 18 MAR

    Why Patience and Feedback Fast-Track LLM Success

    A 20-year veteran retires, and suddenly the “way we do it” disappears with them. That is the reality across manufacturing, maintenance, and field service right now, and it shows up everywhere: longer onboarding, inconsistent work, safety gaps, and teams stuck relearning the same fixes under pressure. We talk with Siva Kumar Lakshmanan (Siva), CEO of DeepHow, about a practical way to capture tribal knowledge before it walks out the door. We dig into how generative AI and large language models can transform real shop floor work, including video of experienced technicians, into training that new hires can actually use. Along the way, we get specific about adoption, because the hardest part is rarely the software. It is change management, trust, and proving value in a way that makes sense to skilled workers who would rather be on their feet than at a desk. You will also hear a clear framework for when to move fast on AI and when to wait, how to run pilots that give the technology a fair shot, and how to use KPI scorecards to make fact-based decisions without burning out the team. We close with a candid conversation about job-loss fear, why business-case transparency matters, and how to position AI as a tool for safety, standardization, and faster time-to-competency in supply chain operations. Subscribe for more Supply Chain - Unfiltered, share this with a colleague in manufacturing or procurement, and leave a review if the conversation helps you rethink training and technology adoption.  What is the one process in your operation you would capture first?

    35 min

  3. 3 MAR

    The True Trajectory of Automation, Robots, & Where Humans Fit In

    This episode explores how robotics, AI, and automation are reshaping manufacturing, supply chains, and the future of work. In this episode of Supply Chain Unfiltered, host Melanie Stern sits down with Myron Moser, alliant Strategic Advisory Board Member and Chairman Emeritus at Hartfiel Automation. A 35-year veteran in industrial automation and robotics, Myron unpacks what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s coming next. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience across industries—from medical devices and advanced manufacturing to distribution center automation—Myron explains why today’s automation wave is fundamentally different. The conversation covers emerging technologies like AI-powered vision systems, autonomous vehicles, collaborative robots, and humanoid robotics, and why these innovations are accelerating adoption across manufacturing and logistics. Crucially, this episode tackles the human side of automation: where people fit as robots become more capable, how smart companies address workforce fear, and why automation should be used to augment—not replace—human talent. Myron shares practical insights on employee communication, reskilling, safety, quality, and throughput, along with guidance on navigating funding incentives, R&D tax credits, and regulatory considerations. Whether you’re a manufacturing leader, supply chain professional, operations executive, or student preparing for the future of supply management, this episode delivers a grounded, forward-looking perspective on how humans and machines can work together to build stronger, more competitive organizations. Key topics include: The future of automation and robotics in manufacturingAI, vision systems, and humanoid robotsWorkforce strategy, reskilling, and change managementSafety, quality, and productivity in automated environmentsPreparing for the future of supply chain and operations careersListen now to gain expert insight into the real trajectory of automation—and where humans will continue to matter most.

    33 min

  4. 18 FEB

    Consumer Packaged Goods, Bulk Products, and What to Expect from a 3PL

    How should consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and bulk product manufacturers adapt when tariffs shift, retailers pivot, and consumer demand becomes unpredictable? In this episode of Supply Chain  - Unfiltered, presented by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), host Melanie Stern sits down with Jesse Jones, Vice President of Operations at WSI, a national third‑party logistics (3PL) provider operating across 30 facilities in 10 U.S. states. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience—including leadership roles at Kimberly‑Clark and extensive work across CPG logistics, bulk materials, paper, chemicals, and industrial supply chains—Jesse offers a candid look at what’s really happening inside today’s logistics networks. This conversation goes beyond theory to explore real‑world supply chain challenges facing small‑to‑mid‑sized businesses, including: How CPG companies are responding to tariffs, inventory volatility, and retailer demandsWhy demand forecasting and inventory visibility remain difficult—especially for growing brandsThe role of data warehouses, WMS platforms, and analytics in modern 3PL operationsWhere AI fits today in logistics—and why people still matter mostHow to build flexibility into 3PL contracts as volume, channels, and product mixes changeWhat to ask during a 3PL RFP process, beyond price and capacityWhy leadership, standard work, and continuous improvement drive warehouse performanceJesse also breaks down what “continuous improvement” actually means inside a 3PL, moving past buzzwords like Lean and Six Sigma to practical execution on the warehouse floor. Whether you manage consumer packaged goods distribution, evaluate third‑party logistics providers, or navigate U.S. supply chain disruptions, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately. Supply Chain - Unfiltered brings you real stories from global business leaders—unfiltered conversations about logistics, procurement, and operations.

    25 min

  5. 24/12/2025

    Tariffs’ Backlash on Semiconductor Supply Chains

    Discover which companies thrive, and which struggle, when tariffs and trade barriers shift. In this “Supply Chain – Unfiltered” episode, Chandler Willison of M Science explains why supply chain flexibility is key to resilience, and how smaller firms with rigid operations are most vulnerable to policy changes. Gain practical insights into the strategic moves that help organizations adapt, optimize, and succeed in a rapidly changing global market. Tune in for expert perspectives on navigating uncertainty and positioning your business for long-term growth.

    32 min

  6. 08/12/2025

    Can Electronics Retrofit the Future and Abate Challenges

    In this episode of “Supply Chain – Unfiltered,” host Melanie Stern welcomes Dr. John Mitchell, President & CEO of the Global Electronics Association, to discuss why electronics – like energy – touch every sector and every life. Mitchell shares new trade flows analysis showing that electronics now represent one in every five dollars of global merchandise trade, and explains how this trend is accelerating, especially in automotive and manufacturing. He also highlights the Association’s commitment to workforce development, offering industry-recognized credentials and training for over 150,000 professionals annually worldwide, and the first federally recognized electronics apprenticeship program, which helps companies and learners access government support for training.

    27 min

  7. 26/11/2025

    Electrification and the Impact to Utility Supply Chains

    In this episode of “Supply Chain – Unfiltered,” featuring Conrad Snover, CEO at ProcurAbility, dives into the impact of electrification on grid infrastructure and supply chains. Success in today’s environment hinges on building collaborative, long-term partnerships among utilities, suppliers, and contractors. Conrad discusses that integrated supply chain models, strategic contracting, and shared forecasting are now essential for strengthening resilience and fostering innovation. By working together and leveraging new technologies, industry leaders can better anticipate disruptions, manage risks, and deliver sustainable solutions for the future of utility supply chains.

    39 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    How International Supply Chains Navigate Regulations, Risks and Internal Volatility

    Audrey Clavedon, Head of ESG Leadership and Consultancy at Sedex, joins “Supply Chain – Unfiltered” to discuss opportunities for transforming ESG compliance and the outlook for 2026. Rather than getting bogged down by reporting requirements, businesses can refocus their efforts on making a tangible impact on sustainability and building resilient supply chains.  This year has brought heightened attention to ESG compliance, and sustainability overall that are highlighting the need for practical solutions and forward-thinking strategies.

    24 min
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About

Supply Chain — Unfiltered, presented by the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®), is 20-to-30-minutes of everything you want to know about end-to-end supply chain but were afraid to ask. Our podcasts put supply chains front and center where they belong. Supply chains work 24/7 to keep people and places functioning and thriving. Without supply chains’ effectiveness — our world stops. (Remember the 2020 pandemic?) You’ll hear from industry experts sharing elements of the profession and their impact on financial markets, geopolitics and world trade. It’s real, raw and transparent. The more you tune in to Supply Chain — Unfiltered, perspective shifts about how you see the world and the ways you contribute to its livelihood. We invite you to be part of the ISM® community.

Information

  • Creator
    Institute for Supply Management®
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Supply Chain - Unfiltered
  • Show Website
    Supply Chain - Unfiltered