Let's Talk Supply Chain

Chris Hamley & Andy Smith of Brecham Group talk about what they do; what makes them different, Precision Supply Chain Operations; & helping you suck less.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [03.58] Chris's background and the journey that led him to co-found Brecham Group. "I started out loading trucks!... And it got to a point where I got frustrated trying to broker conversations. People didn't pay attention to details, I found myself translating – and that was the catalyst." [06.04] Andy's  30+ year industry career, and his role at Brecham Group. [08.26] An overview of Brecham Group – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers. [09.00] The ideal client for Brecham Group. [10.46] What makes Brecham Group's consultants different to traditional strategic supply chain consultants, and how their unique thought process helps customers scale solutions up and down. "We have real-world experience and take a practical approach to problems… We can always get to a consistent outcome, although every problem and solution looks very different." [15.31] Brecham Group's 'Precision Supply Chain Operations,' what that means, and how it applies in the real world. [19.56] Brecham's tagline "suck less," how it was developed, and what it means for customers. "I'm watching people get pulled in a thousand different directions, get yelled at… That sucks. So let's make it suck less tomorrow. How do we do that?... Everyone wants to get better, but nobody knows how." [24.07] How Brecham Group works with clients to determine their problem, identify the disconnect between best practice and reality, and widen everybody's view to help them tackle it with an aligned approach. "We're often approached by senior leadership – "go solve this problem for me" – but they may or may not have a strong understanding of what's happening on the shop floor. So we'll listen, but then we'll go see." [28.07] How Brecham Group use a unique value system to prioritize customer problems, and how they recently helped an organization reduce overall labor spend in their network by 9%. [30.19] Brecham Group's special offer for LTSC listeners. "So much of what we do is education, it's about teaching people how to think a little differently about their problem." [31.43] The biggest trend exciting Brecham Group for 2026. "The most interesting thing is how we use AI in our industry and in the tactical execution of work." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Brecham Group's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Brecham and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, or you can connect with Chris or Andy on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Brecham Group, check out their brand new live show Performance Paradox, where operators and engineers talk about turning strategy into execution. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Scott Jennings of Anaplan talks about retail inventory optimization, planning challenges, AI & how Anaplan enables retailers to sell more and carry less.   [03.37] An introduction to Scott, his background, and experience in the industry. "Siloes are present functionally across different pieces of the business, whether it's merchandise, supply chain or finance. But they're also persistent inside the systems that support those different groups – and that's where it gets tricky." [05.53] An overview of Anaplan and what they do. [06.53] How retail planning has historically worked, and the limitations of that approach. "Retail suffers from siloed planning, disconnected processes and latent decision-making, which leads to buying the wrong inventory and having the wrong inventory at the wrong place at the wrong time, with little ability to adjust based on market feedback." [09.58] Why retail planning is arguably more complex than CPG or consumer goods supply chain planning. "Retail is detail." [12.55] How challenges and limitations have impacted the industry, particularly in light of additional external factors like increasing customer demand. "Getting ahead is important. But being able to react in an agile way, in season, is also extremely important. Retailers have fallen behind because that demand signal is all over the place." [16.14] From data to specificity, the foundations needed for retailers considering AI solutions, and the problem of 'testing fatigue.' "People are sick of testing and learning." [22.25] How retail planning technology will continue to evolve over the next 12 to 24 months. [24.28] Scott's advice for retailers looking to implement AI in their planning and ensure successful implementations. "It starts with the ROI you're looking to drive… If you can't define the ROI: skip it." [28.39] The biggest opportunities for retailers embracing evolving technology and a new approach to retail planning. [30.08] How Anaplan Intelligence and its retail engine enables retailers to harness the power of AI to plan at a granular level not possible before, and the importance of hyper-localization. [33.01] How Anaplan focuses on retail-specific best practices to achieve higher forecast accuracy and boost sell-through rates for their customers, ultimately helping them sell more and carry less. [34.37] What Anaplan is focusing on for 2026.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Anaplan's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Anaplan and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Scott on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Anaplan, listen to Emily Nicholls talk about how integrated business planning helps automotive OEMs navigate EV growth on episode 499: Navigating the EV Revolution, with Anaplan. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Megan Rudolph talks about her career journey; developing a team through hypergrowth; the challenges & opportunities for parcel in 2026; & finding inspiration.    IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [02.15] An introduction to Megan and Saddle Creek Logistics Services. [03.00] Megan's early career dream of sports journalism, how graduating during the recession led her to take a sales job at UPS, and what she found so fascinating about logistics. "There was a great structure. I worked under multiple female leaders – some of the people that probably don't even know how much they mentored me still impact me today." [05.31] How having the opportunity to wear many different hats helped Megan find her niche, what she learned from her time working for both UPS and DHL, and the experience that led her to discover the power of authenticity. [10.36] A day in Megan's life as the regional senior director of parcel operations at Saddle Creek Logistics Services. "There was an opportunity for me to delegate more, and that was tough for me… But, as the team grew, bringing in people I could trust really got me away from 12 meetings a day, and I got a more balanced workload... My team manages up very well, and I'm thankful for that!" [13.07] How Megan successfully grew her department through 'hypergrowth,' and her advice for other leaders looking to supercharge their own teams in 2026. "One of the best things that served me was hiring a diverse group of people that balanced my skillset. I'm pretty risk averse, data-centric, I want to have all the questions solved before we even hit go. So I needed individuals that were great at solving while in action…. Don't hire people that think like you." [16.00] Megan's perspective on the parcel industry, and the big challenges and opportunities she's thinking about for 2026. "Cost continues to increase year over year, for us and our clients. So the only way to really drive savings is through optimization." [19.26] What Megan loves about the industry. [21.01] Megan's experience as a woman in the industry, how she learned to trust her instincts and speak up, and why she's so passionate about starting conversations and opening up perspectives. [26.17] What being an industry trailblazer means to Megan, and how she's using it to empower others. [28.05] Megan's biggest inspirations in her life and career. [29.56] The future for Megan.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Megan over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more industry trailblazers, check out 503: Women In Supply Chain™, Andrea Morgan-VanDome, 484: Women In Supply Chain™, Saskia Van Gendt or 470: Women In Supply Chain™, Melodie Van Der Baan. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Jennie Malafarina talks about her career journey; collaboration & community; building businesses; & turning marketing from a cost center into a revenue driver.   IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [02.30] An introduction to Jennie and her businesses Virago Marketing and FR8MVMT. [05.03] Why Jennie pursued a degree in communications, and how having three kids under five during her final year at university led her to a marketing career. "Communication, psychology and marketing all tied together… it's a passion for understanding why people do what they do." [07.55] Why Jennie moved from PR to digital marketing, her passion for tracking and measuring results, and what she loves about agency life. [11.46] How Jennie came to understand the importance of logistics, and how it impacts the consumer. "It's impactful – this industry makes the world go round. If we're not optimizing movement or getting just in time shipments, our shelves are empty and our costs are higher." [12.40] What marketing looks like for supply chain right now, the importance of personal branding, and the biggest changes happening in supply chain marketing, from video to AI. "People don't connect with brands – they connect with people." [17.31] Why organizations need to start thinking about marketing as a revenue driver not a cost center, and why it's crucial to understand your goals and KPIs. [19.40] Why it's so important to break down industry siloes to bring all areas of the community together, and how Jennie is keeping those conversations going through FR8MVMT. [22.34] The new businesses Jennie has in development, and how she achieves her version of balance. "I do the things that light me up!" [26.49] How Jennie's experience as a veteran informs her leadership and gave her the confidence to succeed. "I learned to earn my spot… So, going into my career, I never feared that I was a meek woman that can't talk – I own it." [28.46] The increasing number of women in supply chain, and how we can bring more women into the industry. [30.38] What winning an industry trailblazer award means to Jennie. "It means that I'm doing something meaningful." [31.09] The future for Jennie.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Jennie over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more women in marketing and communications, check out 425: Women In Supply Chain™, Josephine Coombe, 245: Women In Supply Chain™, Marina Mayer or 287: Women In Supply Chain™, Jolene Peixoto. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Kendra Tanner talks about her career journey; what she's learned about leadership, making an impact on boards and conference stages; & inspiring women.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [02.35] An introduction to Kendra and her company, Allstates WorldCargo. [03.40] Kendra's education and how her marriage to her high school sweetheart impacted her career path. "I wanted to get my business finance degree, but I was adamant that I was not taking one more accounting class – so I switched to marketing!" [05.47] How a family connection led Kendra to Consolidated Freightways, and why she stayed for 12 years. "Nobody wakes up and says 'I want to be in logistics.' I wanted to be a dentist!" [09.10] Kendra's experience as a woman, building a career in logistics, in the 90's. "I found the men to be mostly supportive. Consolidated Freightways were great at allowing women to have the same opportunities, but there were less of us – a lot of women didn't show interest in our industry back then. And nor would I, had the opportunity not have presented itself." [11.29] Why Kendra always wanted to make a difference, what she's learned about leadership, and her advice for others. [14.34] Kendra's growth at Allstates WorldCargo, her focus stepping into the President and CEO role in 2020, and her biggest highlights along the way. [17.28] What Kendra is focused on for 2026, and why it's so important to block out industry noise and keep your finger on the pulse of your own business if you want to achieve success. [19.56] Kendra's experience on the Board of Directors at The Airforwarders Association, the impact she wants to make, and why industry collaboration is so important. "You have to get back to your industry. If I have knowledge and can bring value, it's my responsibility to share it. You foster relationships – a lot of my competitors are on the board, but it's a friendly environment." [22.45] Getting more women on industry stages and why pushing yourself to take opportunities, even if you're uncomfortable, is key in paving the way for others. "You have to say yes, you have to have a voice. If you don't, it's never going to change." [26.01] Why sharing stories is crucial to inspiring others and bringing women into the industry. "Starting as a customer service working nights, filing bills of lading and delivery receipts, to president and CEO – that's quite a journey." [28.22] What being an industry trailblazer means to Kendra. [29.42] The future for Kendra.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   You can connect with Kendra over on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more industry trailblazers, check out 509: Women In Supply Chain™, Nermine Saad or 433: Women In Supply Chain™, Annie Torikian. Check out our other podcasts HERE.