Chain Mountain

Hank Ackerman
  • ٥٫٠ (١)
  • ريادة الأعمال

Chain Mountain - the podcast for leaders who move fast and think deep. Hosted by Hank Ackerman—Co-founder of Chain Mountain and a seasoned leader in operational transformation—the show delves into the high-stakes, high-impact world of industrial operations and technology through the voices of those leading the charge. Tune into weekly episodes featuring current and emerging operational executives who are transforming industry from the inside out.

  1. ٢٤ أبريل

    SE01E13 | Frozen Food, Shrinkflation, and the Real Cost of Supply Chain Complexity | Matt Kasten

    Matt Kasten, VP of Operations at Diana's, pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to run a frozen food brand — from protecting the cold chain across thousands of miles to navigating distributor margins that can swallow 40% of your revenue before a product ever hits a shelf. With a background spanning Unilever, PepsiCo, Hain Celestial, and Icelandic Provisions, Matt brings rare perspective on what separates supply chain strategy at a startup from the playbook at a multinational.The conversation covers the real mechanics behind frozen food's $72 billion growth, the hidden economics of SKU proliferation, how temperature loggers are being used as both quality tools and freight claims evidence, and why AI-powered forecasting may be the biggest untapped opportunity for small CPG brands right now. If you work in food, FMCG, or supply chain — or you're building a consumer brand and wondering why the margins keep disappearing — this one's worth your time.Key takeaways: The US frozen food market hit $72B in 2023, driven by convenience, clean ingredients, and rapid gluten-free category growthDistributor and retailer margins combined can reach 70-78% of shelf price, leaving startups very little room to operateShrinkflation is widespread — Diana's deliberately absorbs cost pressure rather than reduce product quality or ingredient standardsSKU rationalisation is a leadership decision, not just a supply chain one — without executive buy-in, redundant products quietly drain cash and cause food wasteTemperature loggers on high-value loads serve a dual purpose: proactive cold chain management and hard evidence for freight claimsWeekly order cycles give far better promotional visibility and demand signal accuracy than monthly orderingAI forecasting has strong potential for CPG supply chains, but only when fed rich data — customer inventories, consumption data, order history, and distributor stock levelsFTE offset arguments and inventory reduction models are the most effective ways to justify supply chain tech investment to startup founders Connect with Matt Kasten on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattkastenIf this episode resonated with you, subscribe for more conversations with supply chain leaders navigating the real challenges of building and scaling consumer brands.

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  2. ٢٩ يناير

    SE01E12 | Leadership Lessons Under Pressure | with Leonid Naboyshchikov

    Leonid Naboyshchikov went from counterterrorism operations in Southeast Asia to leading teams in the US space program. In this conversation, he breaks down how high-stakes fieldwork shaped his approach to servant leadership, building trust in distributed teams, and keeping people connected to mission over decades-long timelines.We dig into why only one in five aerospace employees are under 35, the unsexy but critical roles that make launches possible, how AI is changing space operations without replacing human judgment, and what it really takes to make working on rockets in Huntsville as appealing as coding in Silicon Valley. Leo shares straight talk on soft skills gaps in young hires, the intersection of civil, commercial, and defense space sectors, and why the space industry needs to get better at telling its story. Key topics covered:Leadership under pressure and servant leadership principlesManaging distributed teams in post-COVID work environmentsMission-focused culture and long-term team motivationAttracting young talent to aerospace careersCommunication and soft skills gaps in recent graduatesThe unsexy but critical roles in space missionsAI integration in mission-critical operationsGrowth opportunities across civil, commercial, and defense space sectorsAdvice for aspiring space industry professionalsWhether you're leading technical teams, managing distributed workforces, or trying to sustain long-term motivation around big missions, this conversation offers practical insights on building trust, enabling ownership, and creating conditions where people do their best work. Connect with Leonid NaboyshchikovLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonid-naboyshchikov/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! - Hank and the Chain Mountain podcast team :) Website Link: www.chainmtn.com Connect with Hank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hank-ackerman-8143bb2/ Listen to Chain Mountain on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3A3vwENbZnUnkGh00AxLNqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chain-mountain/id1836133366Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bd33179f-6574-4953-a428-9113f740a49c/chain-mountain #Podcast #Podcastshow #foryou #ChainMountain#Explorepage #Business #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #ReturnRate #SupplyChain #manufacturing #Businessoperations

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  3. ١٥ يناير

    SE01E11 | The Future of Agriculture: Resilience Through Transparency | with Heather Messer | Chain Mountain

    In this episode I speak with Heather Messer, The vice president of US operations at Wilbur-Ellis.  Wilbur-Elis is a leading agribusiness company that provides crop protection products, seeds, and nutritional solutions to growers around the world.  We discuss the critical role of agriculture in the U.S. economy and the specific supply chain and operational challenges faced by the agricultural sector. We also discuss the importance of innovation,  especially in the context of consumer trends towards organic foods, and the regulatory challenges that hinder the rapid adoption of new agriculturaltechnologies. Using the impact of tariffs on the soybean market as a case inpoint, we highlight how difficult it can be to forecast elements that are outof our control Be sure to like and subscribe so you don't miss out on our awesome future guests.   We hope you enjoyed this episode! - Hank and the Chain Mountain podcast team :) Website Link: www.chainmtn.com Connect with Hank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hank-ackerman-8143bb2/ Listen to Chain Mountain on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3A3vwENbZnUnkGh00AxLNqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chain-mountain/id1836133366Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bd33179f-6574-4953-a428-9113f740a49c/chain-mountain #Podcast #Podcastshow #foryou #ChainMountain#Explorepage #Business #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #ReturnRate #SupplyChain #manufacturing #Businessoperations

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  4. ١ يناير

    SE01E10 | Breaking Barriers in the Medical Industry | with Justine Franchina | Chain Mountain

    In this week's episode, Justine Franchina shares her journey in the male-dominated chemical industry, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, diverse experiences, and customer engagement. She discusses the critical role of safety and continuous learning in her leadership philosophy, as well as the challenges of implementing effective processes and systems like SAP. Justine highlights the significance of building trust and seeking feedback to foster collaboration and drive organizational success. Be sure to like and subscribe so you don't miss out on our awesome future guests.   We hope you enjoyed this episode! - Hank and the Chain Mountain podcast team :) Website Link: www.chainmtn.com Connect with Hank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hank-ackerman-8143bb2/ Listen to Chain Mountain on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3A3vwENbZnUnkGh00AxLNqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chain-mountain/id1836133366Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bd33179f-6574-4953-a428-9113f740a49c/chain-mountain #Podcast #Podcastshow #foryou #ChainMountain#Explorepage #Business #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #ReturnRate #SupplyChain #manufacturing #Businessoperations

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    SE01E09 | Hire problem-solvers with real-world experience | with Douglas Hardesty | Chain Mountain

    In this week's show we have a conversation with Doug Hardesty, COO ofMycoWorks. In this conversation, Doug discusses the innovative production of their cutting edge material innovation, its sustainability benefits, and the challenges faced in biotech manufacturing. He emphasizes the importance of future-focused innovation, the role of venture capital, and the need for a shift in perceptions about manufacturing careers. Doug also highlights the significance of bridging the education gap in technical skills and predicts a future where biomaterials and a better work-life balance in manufacturing will be prioritized. Be sure to like and subscribe so you don't miss out on our awesome future guests.   We hope you enjoyed this episode! - Hank and the Chain Mountain podcast team :) Website Link: www.chainmtn.com Connect with Hank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hank-ackerman-8143bb2/ Listen to Chain Mountain on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3A3vwENbZnUnkGh00AxLNqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chain-mountain/id1836133366Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bd33179f-6574-4953-a428-9113f740a49c/chain-mountain #Podcast #Podcastshow #foryou #ChainMountain#Explorepage #Business #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #ReturnRate #SupplyChain #manufacturing #Businessoperations

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    SE01E08 | Get the basics right before pursuing enhancements | with Nick Jackson | Chain Mountain

    In this week's episode we speak with SAP Implementation Guru, Nick Jackson, Global Director of SAP/ERP and HB Fuller.  HB Fuller is a 3.5Billion dollar adhesives manufacturer focusing on adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products.  Nick has spent the past 25 years implementing systems across large global manufacturing companies.In our discussion we cover his takes on why ERPs implementations often don’t meet expectations, the importance of educating executives, and reducing complexity . He also emphasizes the need for a well constructed data model, effective change management, and understanding business process first.  Our discussion also touches on the future of leadership, communication, and ends with a hot take on life in 2075…  Be sure to like and subscribe so you don't miss out on our awesome future guests.   Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nljackson/ We hope you enjoyed this episode! - Hank and the Chain Mountain podcast team :) Website Link: www.chainmtn.com Connect with Hank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hank-ackerman-8143bb2/ Listen to Chain Mountain on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3A3vwENbZnUnkGh00AxLNqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chain-mountain/id1836133366Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bd33179f-6574-4953-a428-9113f740a49c/chain-mountain #Podcast #Podcastshow #foryou #ChainMountain#Explorepage #Business #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #ReturnRate #SupplyChain #manufacturing #Businessoperations

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    SE01E07 | The Impact of Geopolitics on Supply Chains | with Chris Jackson | Chain Mountain

    In this Episode, I sit down with Chris Jackson, Vice President of Global Supply Chain at Watlow.  Watlow is a global industrial technology company that designs and manufactures advanced thermal systems, including heaters, sensors, and temperature controllers, for mission-critical applications in industries like semiconductor, energy, and medical devices. In this episode, Chris discusses the growth of industrial sectors, the impact of geopolitical influences, and the role of AI in supply chain management.  We also touch on the democratization of technology and its future implications for supply chains, as well as his predictions for the future of technology and leadership.Be sure to like and subscribe so you don't miss out on our awesome future guests.   Connect with Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjjackson/ Website Link: www.chainmtn.com Connect with Hank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hank-ackerman-8143bb2/ Listen to Chain Mountain on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3A3vwENbZnUnkGh00AxLNqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chain-mountain/id1836133366Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bd33179f-6574-4953-a428-9113f740a49c/chain-mountain #Podcast #Podcastshow #foryou #ChainMountain#Explorepage #Business #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #ReturnRate #SupplyChain #manufacturing #Businessoperations

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    SE01E06 | The War for Talent | with Tom Boney | Chain Mountain

    In this engaging conversation, Tom Boney discusses the challenges and strategies in private equity, focusing on talent retention, improving EBITDA performance, and the importance of operational excellence. He shares insights from his experience in the automotive industry, the impact of NIL on college sports, and the significance of community engagement through nonprofits. The discussion also touches on the future of manufacturing, global trade, and the pressing issue of cybersecurity in business. Website Link: www.chainmtn.com Connect with Hank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hank-ackerman-8143bb2/ Listen to Chain Mountain on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3A3vwENbZnUnkGh00AxLNqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chain-mountain/id1836133366Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bd33179f-6574-4953-a428-9113f740a49c/chain-mountain #Podcast #Podcastshow #foryou #ChainMountain#Explorepage #Business #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #ReturnRate #SupplyChain #manufacturing #Businessoperations

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مشاهدة الكل (١٣)

حول

Chain Mountain - the podcast for leaders who move fast and think deep. Hosted by Hank Ackerman—Co-founder of Chain Mountain and a seasoned leader in operational transformation—the show delves into the high-stakes, high-impact world of industrial operations and technology through the voices of those leading the charge. Tune into weekly episodes featuring current and emerging operational executives who are transforming industry from the inside out.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Hank Ackerman
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٥ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ١٣
  • التقييم
    ملائم
  • حقوق النشر
    © 2026 Hank Ackerman