eCom Logistics Podcast

Fulfillment IQ, Ninaad Acharya, Dan Coll

Get the inside perspective on how successful supply chain technology companies and e-commerce fulfillment providers win in today's competitive landscape. eCom Logistics Podcast gives you insights from the top leaders and experts to get you the answers to your most pressing supply chain issues.

  1. How ThredUp Processes 100,000 Items a Day with AI and Automation

    1D AGO

    How ThredUp Processes 100,000 Items a Day with AI and Automation

    What You’ll Learn Why sustainability wasn’t the initial growth lever and how ThredUp found product-market fit by prioritizing value and convenience.The pivotal shift from a peer-to-peer marketplace to an asset-backed resale model through bag-drop logistics.How ThredUp scaled partially automated distribution centers to process over 100,000 unique items daily.The key metrics that balance throughput, speed, and quality in large-scale resale operations.How generative AI and visual search transformed discovery, personalization, and customer confidence.The cultural practices — hackathons, AI bootcamps, and atomic building blocks — that sustain innovation and rapid adoption internally.How Resale-as-a-Service enables major brands like Madewell to run white-labeled resale programs powered by ThredUp’s technology and operations.Highlights 00:00 – Introduction: Dan’s 15-year journey at ThredUp02:00 – Why sustainability alone didn’t drive growth04:00 – The bag-drop pivot: asset-backed vs. P2P resale07:30 – Marketplace dynamics: limited buyer-seller overlap09:00 – Jobs-to-be-done thinking & unlearning old models12:00 – Scaling ops: from scrappy warehouses to the world’s largest clothing carousel17:00 – Throughput vs. quality: metrics that matter21:00 – AI-powered search & discovery: cottagecore to mermaidcore26:30 – Internal AI adoption: hackathons & “atomic building blocks”33:30 – Building a culture of innovation and infinite learning36:30 – Resale-as-a-Service for brands like Madewell39:30 – Future of shopping: agentic AI and frictionless commerce42:00 – Shoptalk Fall preview + closing thoughtsQuotes [00:02:30]: “Even if someone cares about the planet... we did not find product-market fit. We had to work a lot early on to better understand the needs of both buyers and sellers.” - Dan DeMeyere[00:12:15]: “It was a little bit like jumping out of an airplane and just having trust in ourselves that we're gonna build or find a parachute before we hit the ground.” - Dan DeMeyere[00:20:30]: “Trust is so important, especially in the used space. We have to become clever in helping customers feel confident with the potential fit and flattery of every item.” - Dan DeMeyere[00:39:30]: “If your core experience can be improved through AI, why do you need to put ‘AI’ on the website? It’s about the value you bring, the job they’re hiring you for.” - Dan DeMeyereAbout the Guest Dan DeMeyere is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at ThredUp, a leading online resale platform pioneering sustainable fashion through technology and operational innovation. With 15 years at ThredUp starting from its inception, Dan has overseen the company’s evolution from a peer-to-peer marketplace into a high-velocity, AI-enabled resale giant processing over 100,000 items daily. He is passionate about customer-centric product development and leveraging AI to transform retail experiences at scale. Links Mentioned - ThredUp: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thredup/ - Dan DeMeyere on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dandemeyere/ 👉 Don’t forget to join us at Shoptalk Fall, October 16–18 in Chicago! 🎟️ Grab your tickets here: https://fall.shoptalk.com/tickets Featured Sessions at Shoptalk Fall: Harshida Acharya, Partner & CSO at Fulfillment IQ – Scenario Planning in a Volatile WorldNinaad Acharya, Co-Founder & CEO at Fulfillment IQ – Supply Chain Agility in the Age of DisruptionDan DeMeyere, Chief Product and Technology Officer at ThredUp – Retail Intelligence: What AI Can – and Can’t – Do TodayJames Reinhar, Founder & CEO at ThredUp – Leading Through Culture ShiftsCheck the full agenda here. Subscribe and Keep Learning! If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

    44 min
  2. Rethinking Supply Chain & Ops at Scale: Lessons from Erin Chamberlin, Topgolf COO

    JUL 28

    Rethinking Supply Chain & Ops at Scale: Lessons from Erin Chamberlin, Topgolf COO

    What You’ll Learn How to reverse-engineer the customer journey to simplify complex operational challengesWhy grounding teams in customer empathy unlocks better delivery across multi-site venuesCross-functional collaboration’s role in innovating under tariff pressures and supply chain disruptionsBalancing brand standards with local authenticity in high-scale venue operationsEmbedding real-time two-way feedback channels with frontline teams for continuous improvementCultivating inclusive teams through targeted skill-building and representation to drive diverse leadershipLessons from hospitality and gaming industries on agility amid market volatility and post-COVID shiftsHighlights 00:00 – Intro and Erin Chamberlin’s operational background at Topgolf and Caesars01:22 – Erin’s career path: transitioning from consulting to casino and hospitality ops04:50 – The “work backwards from the customer” framework for experience design08:40 – Cross-functional innovation example: rethinking Topgolf’s donut hole injectors under tariff risk12:00 – Scaling consistency across 97 venues through systemized audits and local empowerment15:30 – Culture of innovation fueled by frontline feedback and open idea channels among Playmakers20:15 – Managing growing complexity, market volatility, and agility post-COVID24:50 – Building inclusive, diverse teams with skills development and mentorship programs29:40 – Erin’s personal “lean-in circle” and the importance of peer support in career growth32:00 – Upcoming innovations and expansions at Topgolf: new venues and new game experiences33:20 – Closing and how to follow Erin on LinkedIn Quotes [00:04:54]: “You have all of these lenses and perspectives you've gathered throughout your career, and you try to simplify all of these complex challenges by working backwards from the customer.” - Harshida Acharya [00:07:42]: “What the tech team needs to deliver, what the supply chain team needs to make sure that we have staffed and inventory—we peel that back at each step until you get to the most simple form of what you need to accomplish.” - Erin Chamberlin  [00:26:41]: “It's really about providing skills for folks... Getting them to feel comfortable about reading a P&L, getting them comfortable presenting to large groups... We put in place concrete things that folks could do to level up their skill sets—to make them feel more confident.” - Erin Chamberlin  [00:30:48]: “It's meant to be, ‘Let's support each other. Don’t think that you’re alone in this.’ There are lots of us who are not sure if we belong here and if there’s a path for us to grow.” - Harshida Acharya  About the Guest Erin Chamberlin is the Chief Operating Officer at Topgolf, leading operations across over 90 venues globally. With deep expertise from leadership roles at Caesars Entertainment and Penn Entertainment, Erin combines analytics, hospitality, and customer experience to deliver scalable, consistent, and playful experiences. She is passionate about building inclusive teams and fostering culture-led innovation in complex, rapidly growing organizations. Follow Erin on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-chamberlin-7360814/ Topgolf venues: https://topgolf.com/  Subscribe and Keep Learning! If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

    30 min
  3. Parcel Tech & Carrier Diversification Demystified: Inside Sendflex’s Innovation

    JUL 21

    Parcel Tech & Carrier Diversification Demystified: Inside Sendflex’s Innovation

    What You’ll Learn The origins of integrated parcel shipping systems and Clippership’s impact (1991)Why traditional carrier APIs limit cost optimization and how Sendflex’s engine solves thisThe critical gap between expected shipping costs and actual carrier invoices (north of 15%)How a multi-carrier strategy is essential for modern fulfillment, especially PO box and regional delivery- The rising complexity of omnichannel distribution and its impact on 3PL operations- Lessons from enterprise acquisition failures and maintaining agile, mission-driven growth- How data-driven carrier diversification can unlock real savings versus sales pitchesTimestamped Segments 00:00–00:50 – Introduction to Bob Malley and his legacy in parcel logistics00:50–04:39 – Bob’s early career and development of Clippership & Tracer04:39–07:24 – The evolving parcel market, rise of multi-carrier shipping, complexities of e-commerce07:24–10:57 – The critical issue of landing cost variance versus expected shipping costs10:57–15:02 – Operationalizing auditing and cost variance fixes through automation15:02–20:04 – Carrier perspectives on load optimization, dimensional weight, and waste20:04–23:30 – Insights on carrier integration and the promise of new, niche carriers23:30–27:33 – B2B ecommerce growth, omnichannel maturity, and the rise of 3PL dynamics27:33–31:17 – Hard lessons on acquisitions and maintaining agility in logistics tech companies31:17–33:06 – Closing thoughts and where to learn more about Sendflex Quotes [10:13] "The cost variance between expected costs and actual costs is north of 15%.” — Bob Malley[06:13] “The real question is: how do shippers narrow the gap that’s been growing between expected costs all through that journey of the order...” — Bob Malley[30:44] “I believe in companies that have a mission, are small enough to be agile, and stick to what they do well.” — Bob Malley[21:52] “That’s what we’re really excited about — data-backed carrier diversification that makes business sense, not just sales sense.” — Bob MalleyAbout the Guest Bob Malley is a pioneer in parcel logistics technology with a track record spanning over three decades. He launched Clippership, the first integrated parcel shipping system, scaled Tracer, led e-commerce at Kewill as CEO, and founded Pierbridge, creating the first enterprise cloud-based parcel TMS. Today, as CEO of Sendflex, he is driving innovation in intelligent modular delivery software built for omnichannel complexity and global shipping optimization. Links Mentioned Sendflex website Sendflex LinkedIn Subscribe and Keep Learning! If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

    33 min
  4. JuE Wong on How Supply Chain Becomes a CEO’s Growth Engine

    JUN 30

    JuE Wong on How Supply Chain Becomes a CEO’s Growth Engine

    What You’ll Learn: Why supply chain must sit at the strategy table - not behind itHow SKU discipline drives faster growth and cleaner marginsWhat “AI as servant” really means in ops leadershipWhy executional control beats theoretical plans every timeWhat separates founders who scale from those who stallHow to balance autonomy and shared services in multi-brand orgsHow ops becomes the difference between brand hype and brand healthQuotes: [00:07:25] – “Everything is theoretical - until the customer doesn’t get their order.” - JuE Wong[00:22:25] – “World domination with one SKU is better than SKU proliferation going nowhere.” - JuE Wong[00:30:59] – “AI is your servant, not your master.”  - JuE Wong[00:35:08] – “If you’re not making money, it’s a hobby.”  - JuE WongAbout the Guest: JuE Wong is CEO of PBG, a PE-backed portfolio of six brands and three manufacturers. A six-time CEO across public and private companies, she’s known for scaling teams, transforming operations, and embedding supply chain as a core lever for growth, not just cost. Links Mentioned: JuE Wong on LinkedInPerformance Beauty Group Subscribe and Keep Learning! If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

    39 min
  5. How DHL’s Scott Ashbaugh Is Rethinking Logistics, Automation & USPS Reform

    JUN 23

    How DHL’s Scott Ashbaugh Is Rethinking Logistics, Automation & USPS Reform

    What You’ll Learn How DHL responded to USPS’s $40B modernizationWhy DHL scrapped fixed automation in favor of flexibilityWhat “middle mile” scale looks like in actionWhy giving GMs shadow P&Ls boosted morale and resultsHow DHL realigns pricing and sales incentives to protect GPThe downstream risks of misjudging demand post-COVIDDHL’s mindset shift: from prediction to adaptabilityHighlights [00:00] Who is Scott Ashbaugh?[04:00] USPS reform: pain, logic, and adaptation[07:30] Network design: why DHL embraced the pullback[10:30] DHL’s middle mile moat[12:30] Warehouse automation: from fixed to flexible[18:00] Aligning ops, pricing, and sales strategy[23:00] Betting on customers: what DHL looks for[27:00] Pricing transparency as a competitive edge  Quotes [00:05:08] “In an organization that big with that many stakeholders, you gotta take 10 steps forward knowing that you're gonna get beat up nine steps backward just to get one forward.” - Scott Ashbaugh:[00:13:04] “We got a crossbelt sorter… but it’s a very fixed machine. You can’t just unbolt it and move it.” Scott Ashbaugh:[00:21:24]: “They felt like they actually could control their fate. You really get to see the creativity of the folks in the field.” - Scott Ashbaugh[00:03:21] “When you can bring that empathy and that experience and that knowledge to the commercial side, it just resonates internally and externally tremendously.” - Dan Coll:About the Guest Scott Ashbaugh is Chief Commercial Officer at DHL eCommerce Americas. With over 16 years of experience across operations, automation, and commercial strategy, Scott brings an insider’s view into how DHL scales under pressure while staying agile. Links Mentioned DHL eCommerceScott Ashbaugh | LinkedIn Subscribe and Keep Learning! If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

    30 min
  6. How Tapestry Builds a Global, Agile, and Sustainable Supply Chain

    JUN 9

    How Tapestry Builds a Global, Agile, and Sustainable Supply Chain

    What You’ll Learn What “agility” actually means in global supply chainsHow Tapestry integrates AI into allocation and planningReal examples of ESG in manufacturing (clean water, solar power)Why craftsmanship can't be rushed—and why that mattersThe role of customer feedback in design and operationsStore vs. DC: how fulfillment strategy adapts for luxuryHow to marry finance discipline with operational innovationHighlights [00:00:00] What is an agile supply chain in 2025?[00:03:59] Leading with a global, on-the-ground perspective[00:05:00] From data to design: listening to Gen Z[00:14:05] Craftsmanship takes years, not months[00:21:08] How Tapestry embeds sustainability in sourcing[00:24:13] Fulfillment automation, unboxing, and store pickup[00:29:20] AI’s role in cutting weeks off lead time[00:32:52] Final thoughts + where to follow VincentQuotes [00:00:00] “An agile supply chain is just a supply chain that’s evolving with time. We need to be where customers are.” — Vincent Golebiowski[00:05:00] “We used to design for design. Now, in 2025, the customer is more demanding. We need to listen more to the customer.” — Vincent Golebiowski[00:14:49] “You cannot build craftsmanship in a few months. It takes years to build a handbag factory to deliver the quality we need.” — Vincent Golebiowski[00:23:00] “Our partner tanneries clean the water so it’s even cleaner than what they were using. That makes me happy.” — Vincent GolebiowskiAbout the Guest Vincent Golebiowski is SVP of Global Supply Chain Operations and CFO of Supply Chain at Tapestry, the global house of brands behind Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. With prior leadership roles across L'Oréal and deep experience in Asia, Vincent brings a rare blend of financial rigor and supply chain fluency to leading resilient, customer-driven, and sustainable global operations. https://www.linkedin.com/company/tapestryinc/ https://www.tapestry.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentgolebiowski/   Subscribe and Keep Learning! If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

    34 min
  7. Fixing the Cold Chain Energy Gap: Ndustrial’s Three Million Dollar AI Lesson

    JUN 2

    Fixing the Cold Chain Energy Gap: Ndustrial’s Three Million Dollar AI Lesson

    What You’ll Learn  Why energy intensity is a smarter metric than efficiencyHow one site saved $3M by predicting utility peaksWhat most people get wrong about sustainability and profitabilityWhy digital twins fail in logistics—and how to fix themHow real-time WMS and energy data must integrateThe impact of automation on energy and throughputHow to reframe “everything as a unit of energy”Highlights [00:01:34] Jason’s journey from electrician to energy AI founder[00:05:18] How predictive models saved $3M at a cold chain site[00:08:00] Why energy intensity matters more than efficiency[00:10:18] The problem with fragmented warehouse tech[00:14:00] Blast freezing, throughput, and energy ROI[00:26:34] Sustainability without saying the wordQuotes [00:06:00] “We’ve saved that site about $3 million. It’s around $50,000 a month of savings if they can miss that utility grid peak.” — Jason Massey[00:14:00] “If I can blast freeze chicken in half the time, I can therefore blast freeze more chicken with the same level of energy.” — Jason Massey[00:26:34] “In a utopia world, you wouldn’t even be using the term sustainability. It would just be, this is how you do good business.” — Jason Massey[00:08:00] “Everything is a unit of energy—whether it’s manual labor or something else, there’s energy being consumed.” — Jason MasseyAbout the Guest Jason Massey is the CEO and co-founder of Ndustrial, a company helping industrial and logistics operators slash energy costs and carbon intensity using AI. He’s worked across venture capital, clean energy, and industrial manufacturing—and now builds tools that drive measurable results in warehousing, cold storage, and 3PL networks. Links Mentioned Ndustrial: https://ndustrial.ioJason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmassey/  Subscribe and Keep Learning! If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

    31 min
  8. Smart Tech Choices in 3PL: Navigating AI & Robotics at Promat 2025

    MAY 28

    Smart Tech Choices in 3PL: Navigating AI & Robotics at Promat 2025

    What You’ll Learn: Why orchestration platforms are the future of 3PLs, and how they outperform legacy WMS systems.The real ROI of small automation solutions for 3PLs with low upfront costs.How to evaluate fulfillment tech and avoid costly pilot mistakes.What the Greenfield vs. Brownfield debate means for your automation strategy.Why incremental scaling is the best approach for implementing automation in 3PLs.How AI and robotics are transforming the supply chain and fulfillment operations.Key takeaways from Promat and other industry conferences on next-gen warehouse tech. Highlights:  [00:00:00] – Introduction to the episode & guest introductions[00:06:13] – The evolution of decision-making with AI[00:10:30] – Why orchestration-first is replacing WMS in modern warehouses[00:13:52] – Evaluating fulfillment tech and avoiding common pitfalls[00:18:10] – The ROI of small-scale automation for 3PLs[00:30:00] – Greenfield vs. Brownfield for automation—where should you start?[00:34:32] – Closing thoughts on smart scaling and what’s next for 3PLsQuotes:  [00:06:39] “So I can spend 10%, 15% of my time compiling, and theoretically 80% of my time thinking. And that's going to be a game changer for us as an industry.” — Will O'Donnell[00:10:56] “The warehouse of the future is automation, robots, and an orchestrator. Not just a WMS.” — Erhan Musaoglu[00:19:18] “Innovation happens when you remove constraints. And a lot of constraints are self-imposed.” — Will O’Donnell\[00:27:00] “Don’t underestimate the simple solutions that are usually the best.” — Marv Cunningham  About the Guests:  Will O’Donnell — Global Head of Corporate Development at Prologis & Managing Partner of Prologis Ventures. Will leads investment into emerging supply chain tech with a macro lens on real estate and fulfillment convergence. https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-odonnell-553aa0a/ Marv Cunningham — Global Head of Operations, Essentials at Prologis. Formerly of Amazon and GXO, Marv brings deep operational expertise and a track record of warehouse optimization at scale. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvcunningham/ Erhan Musaoglu — CEO of Logiwa. A serial WMS builder, Erhan now focuses on orchestration-first fulfillment software that integrates robotics, AI, and warehouse logic. https://www.linkedin.com/in/erhanmusaoglu/ Subscribe and Keep Learning! If you’re a logistics leader looking to scale sustainably, don’t miss out! Subscribe for more expert strategies on tackling modern supply chain challenges. Be sure to follow and tag the eCom Logistics Podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube

    39 min
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About

Get the inside perspective on how successful supply chain technology companies and e-commerce fulfillment providers win in today's competitive landscape. eCom Logistics Podcast gives you insights from the top leaders and experts to get you the answers to your most pressing supply chain issues.

Information

  • Creator
    Fulfillment IQ, Ninaad Acharya, Dan Coll
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Fulfillment IQ Original
  • Show Website
    eCom Logistics Podcast

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