Supply Chain Forum

Wednesday, April 26

• 7:45–8:15 a.m. Breakfast and Check-in Stop by the registration table and enjoy a breakfast buffet before a day of mega sessions and breakouts.
• 8:30–9:30 a.m. Mega Session: CSCO Panel The world has faced several severe shocks in recent years as supply chains were shaken to the core. This session features a panel of supply chain leaders navigating these disruptions while in the C-suite of prominent global businesses. They will highlight key trends and issues that must be addressed over the next five-to-eight years, while also addressing new skill sets required by supply chain leaders to guide their organizations into the future. Speakers: Ernest Nicolas, Chief Supply Chain Officer, HP, Luciano Sieber, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Colgate-Palmolive, and Ted Stank, Professor, Harry J. & Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence, Co-Faculty Director, and Global Supply Chain Institute
• 9:30–9:45 a.m. Break
• 9:45–10:45 a.m. Mega Session: Discussion and Q&A with CSCO Panelists Following their earlier session, chief supply chain officers will lead a group discussion for attendees—including supply chain practitioners, UT faculty, and students. Prepare by considering the key supply chain issues organizations must address in the current business environment as well as what potential trends or challenges they may face in the future. This session will include a Q&A with the panelists. Speakers: Ernest Nicolas, Chief Supply Chain Officer, HP, Luciano Sieber, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Colgate-Palmolive, and Ted Stank, Professor, Harry J. & Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence, Co-Faculty Director, and Global Supply Chain Institute
• 10:45–11:00 a.m. Break
• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Mega Session: A New Era in Supply Chain Planning The past three years characterized by wild demand swings and capacity constraints underscore a growing suspicion that conventional supply chain planning methods are woefully deficient toward meeting the needs of today’s supply chain decision makers. This panel session will examine the ways in which conventional planning comes up short and discuss how supply chain planning needs to evolve to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. We will also introduce ways in which businesses need to “change the problem” in order to alter the role and function of planning. Speakers: Craig Elonen, SVP Manufacturing Logistics, Bush Brothers & Company, Clay Jackson, VP Merchandise Planning and Inventory, Tractor Supply, and Thomas Goldsby, Professor and Dee and Jimmy Haslam Chair in Logistics
• 12 p.m. Lunch and NeXxus Award Presentation Join us during lunch for a brief presentation of the 2023 NeXxus Outstanding Women in Supply Chain Award. This year’s recipient is Barbara Melvin, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. Presenters: Barbara Melvin, President and CEO, South Carolina Ports Authority, Halie Fairchild, President, NeXxus, Cole Burns, Director of Career Management, UT’s Global Supply Chain Institute, and Mary Long, NeXxus Faculty Sponsor
• 1–2 p.m. Mega Session: Leading Collaborative Research from UT Faculty and Graduate Students In this session, faculty advisors and their doctoral and MBA students team up to discuss the latest findings from collaborative applied research in supply chain management.
  Speakers: Yemisi Bolumole, Ryder Professor in Supply Chain Management, Anne Dohmen, PhD Student in Supply Chain Management, Stephanie Eckerd, Associate Professor and Jerry and Suzanne Ratledge Professor in Supply Chain Management, DeNea Hombs, VP Supply Chain, Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition, Ryan Luedke, Kimberly-Clark, Associate Director Supply Chain Analytics and Business Intelligence, Ted Stank, Professor, Harry J. & Vivienne R. Bruce Chair of Excellence, Co-Faculty Director, and Global Supply Chain Institute, and Wendy Tate, William J. Taylor Professor in Supply Chain Management.
• 2–2:30 p.m. Break
• 2:30–3:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions
  1. Meeting the Challenge of Supply Chain Agility – In our discussions with dozens of supply chain leaders, we found that managers face a range of challenges as they work to create more agile supply chains. These challenges fall into three broad areas: how to think about supply chain agility, how to make the business case for agility to internal stakeholders, and how to develop the right relationships with external stakeholders. In this presentation, we identify specific barriers that managers face in each area and provide detailed advice on how to meet the challenge of supply chain agility. Speaker: Dan Pellathy.
  2. So, You’ve Moved Your Manufacturing to Vietnam. Are You Safe? The Unclear Path to Ally-Shoring – The drumbeat for more resilient global supply chains among “like-minded” nations has grown louder. But is it all pomp and no circumstance? Learn about the current state of ally-shoring, execution challenges and opportunities, and the potential risks and rewards. Speakers: Tom Goldsby and Alan Amling.
  3. Organizational Aspects of Agility – Speaker: Mike Grojean
  4. Revamp Planning to Build Agility – Multiple projects in UT’s Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative have focused on understanding how firms can increase their agility. These projects have used simulation to determine the most effective means for providing this agility, with almost all recommendations focused on some aspects of the supply chain planning process. This session will discuss these results as well as some cultural issues related to planning that have arisen from these projects. Speaker: Lance Saunders.
  5. Gen Z’s. They’re Here. Now What? – Just when we were starting to understand the Millennial population the Gen-Z’s come along!! Do you understand this population and the impact they will have on the future of your organization? Have you thought about the different recruiting and retention efforts that this vastly different generation will need to grow and thrive in your organization? How do we educate our hiring managers and senior level leaders in ways that allow us to successfully recruit and retain young professionals? This presentation will focus on how to keep up with the changing dynamics of the workplace and will provide specific examples of how to prepare for the next generation. Speakers: Cole Burns and Alison Keefe, Director, Global Emerging Talent, Smith+Nephew
  6. Advance Your Career at a Top-Ranked Supply Chain University – Learn how our No. 1 graduate supply chain programs can transform your career. Our staff and faculty will share an overview of our top-ranked graduate and non-degree programs, focusing on opportunities for working professionals, like our Executive MBA for Global Supply Chain, MS SCM Online, Supply Chain Leadership Academy and more. You’ll learn about our world-class curriculum and customized student experience. No matter where you are in your career, Haslam’s top-ranked programs will provide you with insights into the latest supply chain trends, empowering you to successfully drive value for your organization. Speakers: Hannah Ballew, Izabela Vandeest, Jon Holztrager, and Joe Buckley.
• 3:15–3:30 p.m. Break
• 3:30–4:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Repeat)
• 5–7 p.m. Evening Reception at The Foundry.
  The reception will feature poster presentations from seniors who recently completed honors theses as part of the Smith Global Leadership Scholars program. This event will provide partners with a fantastic opportunity to learn about undergraduate student research and connect with a handful of UT’s best and brightest upcoming graduates.