In today’s global business environment, S&OP is more than just balancing supply and demand—it’s about aligning cross-regional teams, navigating cultural nuances, and creating a unified strategy across borders. In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Christopher Mael, Director of S&OP at Precor, to unpack the real challenges of implementing glo…

Many professionals don’t plan for a career in S&OP—they find their way there by accident. In this episode, I sit down with Sergio Luiz Winter, Associate Director of Plasma Supply Chain Planning at Grifols, to discuss his unexpected journey from FP&A and controllership to becoming a successful S&OP leader. We explore the key skills needed to thrive …

Join me in this enlightening episode as I interview Viktoriia Khorolska, a leading expert from Ukraine and Germany, on the role of Collaborative Planning and Forecast Replenishment (CPFR) in today's supply chain management. We explore whether CPFR remains crucial in modern business, compare regional practices across Europe, and discuss how evolving…

In this episode, I break down the essential KPIs in demand planning—what they are, what they aren’t, and how to calculate them correctly. I’ll explore the most commonly used metrics, debunk misconceptions, and explain why MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error) is not the villain it’s made out to be. Learn how to leverage these KPIs to drive better f…

In this episode, we explore how Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) functions on a global scale, bridging the gap between regional requirements and overarching business objectives. Discover three distinct approaches to implementing S&OP worldwide, and learn which option might be best suited to your organization. Gain insights on creating a critical …

In this insightful interview, I sat down with Cynthia Trevino de Leon, CFO at Mexilink and a driving force behind their emerging S&OP process. We explore the crucial role of finance in S&OP/IBP, the importance of linking KPIs directly to the income statement and balance sheet, and how this financial lens can foster stronger collaboration and shared…

In this special follow-up episode and the second part of our 2-part series, I sit down with Meredith Cannon, Sr. Director of S&OP at Bimbo Bakeries. Building on discussions from the recent IBF Orlando conference, we dive into the pivotal role of cross-functional collaboration in demand planning and S&OP, explore consumption-based forecasting, and d…

In this first installment of a two-part series, I bring you a special interview with Patrick Bower, a supply chain expert with extensive experience and deep insights in the field. Fresh from the IBF Orlando conference, I ask Patrick some of the same tough questions I posed as moderator at the leadership forum. Join us as we dive into topics like S&…

In this special seasonal episode, we're serving up spine-chilling stories that will make any supply chain professional break into a cold sweat! From terrifying data disasters to forecast nightmares that spiraled out of control, these tales are a reminder that even the smallest oversight in supply and demand planning can have monstrous consequences.…

In this episode, I sit down with Kyle Garcia, Director of NAM SCM Strategy at Adidas, to explore the surge of meetings during COVID and why they never seemed to go away. Drawing from his recent survey, Kyle shares insights into the current state of decision-making and I show how businesses can adopt decision mapping techniques to streamline meeting…

In this insightful episode, I sat down with Imane (Amy) Sabeh, the Director of Global S&OP at KBI Biopharma and my co-author of the latest book Practical Guide to Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP/IBP). Together, we unveil what readers can expect from this timely and essential guide that’s flying off the shelves. Discover why this book is perfect…

Join us for this incredible milestone as we celebrate our 100th episode after 4 unbelievable years! In this celebratory episode, I bring back some of your favorite past guests and share exclusive behind-the-scenes stories about the inspiration that fueled this podcast. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey, especially …

In this eye-opening episode, we delve into why the traditional annual business budget cycle might be more of a hindrance than a help. I'll share common practices and highlight the critical issues with the current budgeting methods, such as inefficiencies, rigidness, and the misalignment with real-time business dynamics. Discover how adopting S&OP/I…

Dive into the future of planning with our latest episode! I sit down with Matthew Walz, head of the predictive intelligence team at General Mills, to uncover how artificial crowdsourcing and generative AI are transforming the landscape. Matthew shares groundbreaking practical use cases and offers exclusive insights into the innovative strategies he…

Join us in this insightful episode as we explore the idea that the right person can excel in any function or industry with the right fundamentals. I sit down with Michael Kennamann, who is leading the introduction of the IBF-Chicagoland Chapter and boasts over 27 years of experience across multiple industries and roles. We delve into his career jou…

In this episode, we delve into why and how you need to assess your current S&OP and planning processes. I highlight common issues found in immature S&OP processes and emphasize the critical notion that sometimes, the biggest problem is not knowing what you don’t know. By sharing insights from IBF's extensive research, I provide a comprehensive look…

In this episode, we delve into the current state of work and its impact on the field of supply chain planning. With a focus on remote and hybrid environments, we explore the evolving job market, potential unemployment, and job reductions ahead. Join me as I interview Jason Breault, an experienced supply chain recruiter from LifeWork Search, who sha…

Join us for an enlightening interview with Douglas Guilherme, VP of Supply Chain at Hershey's, as we delve into the intricacies of managing and mastering complexity in supply chains. From external market fluctuations to internal challenges, Douglas shares practical insights and use cases on understanding and effectively handling complexity in both …

In this eye-opening episode, we debunk the top 5 myths surrounding Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP/IBP). From the misconception that S&OP is not worth it to the belief that it's overly complicated and time-consuming, we set the record straight. Drawing insights from IBF research and our own expertise, we shed light on what S&OP truly entails an…

Join me as I delve into the future of planning jobs amidst the AI revolution. I share insights from our latest research on the evolving skill sets required for planners today and in the coming years. Plus, a candid discussion on the rampant misinformation surrounding our field and the importance of substance over click bait. Tune in for a thought-p…

Unlocking Success Amidst Common Pitfalls. Tune in as I delve into the critical topic of S&OP challenges, shedding light on why so many companies struggle to advance to the next level of maturity. Drawing from research and personal experience, I unveil the top 7 hurdles that hinder lower maturity S&OP processes. Learn how to overcome these obstacles…

Join me in a riveting Q&A session with Michael Day, the seasoned Head of Integrated Planning at Glatfelter. We dive deep into the real world of integrated planning, exploring real career highlights, challenges, and real-world experiences. Gain invaluable insights, learn from practical examples, and enrich your understanding of integrated planning i…

Join me in this special extra episode as we unravel the transformative power of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)/Integrated Business Planning (IBP). Delve into the intricacies of the top 10 benefits that manifest when S&OP is executed with finesse. From enhanced agility to streamlined collaboration, each benefit is a building block for organiza…

In this riveting episode, I sit down with bestselling author and predictive analytics luminary, Eric Siegel. Our discussion unravels the mysteries of his latest book, "The AI Playbook," and takes a no-holds-barred dive into the world of AI. We debunk fallacies, explore the evolving landscape of machine learning, and share insights on why mastering …

Embark on a riveting exploration of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) as we delve into a candid conversation with the illustrious Bob Stahl. An influential figure in the S&OP realm with over 50 years of expertise, Bob shares insights from his newest book, "S&OP: An Executive Update." Join us as we reflect on the evolving landscape of S&OP, explo…

This is our bonus episode of our four-part series on the basics of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning). In our series finale it unwraps the significance of "tactical reviews," a key component enriching your S&OP/IBP process. Explore the nuanced objectives and essential elements of S&OE, gaining insights that bridge the gap between planning and exe…

This is our Fourth and Final of our four-part series on the basics of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning), we raise this to the imperative component of "Executive Reviews." Join Eric as he provides insights into the objectives and elements of Executive reviews within S&OP/IBP and let you know what yours may be missing. Support the show To sign up …

Dive into the dynamic world of supply chain with Dr. Steven Melnyk, a distinguished academic and prolific author in the field. Unravel the pendulum effect in supply chain planning, exploring how constant shifts from crisis to crisis have become the new norm. Join the conversation as we discuss the evolving role of supply chain managers, the changin…

This is our third of our four-part series on the basics of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning), we dive deep into the critical component of "Supply & Resource Reviews." Join Eric as he discusses the objectives and elements of supply and resource reviews within S&OP and shows it a lot more than just balancing supply and demand. Support the show To …

This is our second of our four-part series on the basics of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning), we dive deep into the critical component of "Demand Reviews." Join Eric as he discusses the process of consensus forecast and demand reviews within the S&OP/IBP cycle and we look at the objectives, critical KPIs, and other elements of this step. Arkiev…

Join us for an insightful interview with Marcia Williams, author of "Scaling Supply Chains with Maria." In this episode, we delve into the critical partnership between supply chain and finance. Discover the not-so-secret world of finance and why it is essential for supply chain and demand planning to embrace it as a trusty sidekick. Support the sho…

In the first of our four-part series on the elements of S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning), we dive deep into the critical component of "Product Reviews." Join Eric as he unravels the intricacies of Product Reviews within the S&OP framework and we break down the objectives, goals, and outputs of the Product Review step. Support the show To sign u…

Join us for a captivating interview with thought leader Ryan Harman, Director of Planning at Black Rifle Coffee Company. Ryan's expertise comes to life as he shares exclusive insights from his feature in the spring edition of the Journal of Business Forecasting, where he answered 20 pivotal questions as a planning leader. In this one-on-one convers…

Driving S&OP Success: The Power of Engaged Executives with Biopharma Global Supply Chain Executive Denise Sena Discover why executives' active involvement is key to S&OP success and why 20% of companies say they struggle with this. Learn how to identify an engaged executive, what they do to support S&OP, and how to gain and maintain their unwaverin…

We explore the critical factors that influence inventory levels and shed light on why JIT and lean alone may not be sufficient to address the complexities of modern-day inventory challenges- With Jeff Baker, award-winning supply chain specialist. Support the show To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and…

IBF's Thought Leader Eric Wilson dives into AI in Supply Chain IBF OnDemand is sponsored by Arkieva-Drive real business transformation by improving your supply chain planning processes. Tailored specifically to you, whether you’re running an enterprise organization or a small business. Support the show To sign up for regular updates and the latest …

IBF's Director of Thought Leadership Eric Wilson looks at all of the factors that you need to consider to balance and optimize your inventory levels, especially after Covid and other outlying events that could affect your forecasting. Support the show To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from t…

Lessons For Recent Graduates: Berkeley MBA Students Capstone Project Hosted by Eric Wilson, CPF is the Director of Thought Leadership at The Institute of Business Forecasting (IBF), a post he assumed after leading the planning functions at Escalade Sports, Tempur Sealy and Berry Plastics. In 2016, he received the IBF Excellence in Business Forecast…

02:35 Sara Park, VP E2E Integrated Planning at Coca-Cola 08:20 Falling in love with demand planning 12:30 The importance of mentoring and finding a mentor 13:55 Advice for building and managing teams 23:25 Advice for your younger self: trust your instincts Support the show To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, po…

IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here: http://bit.ly/business-forecasting 02:00 CPFR for 'outside in' planning 04:40 Original CPFR steps: Info sharing, joint forecasting, coordinate shipments 06:41 Bringing the outside in for better planning 10:44 CPFR inc…

IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here: http://bit.ly/business-forecasting 02:47 S&OP in the service industry - why is nobody talking about it? 04:45 SLB is a giant energy company and service provider 08:00 The challenges of S&OP in a services company 10:45…

3:05 Confusion surrounding different job titles and responsibilities in supply chain 04:40 Alina Davydova, S&OP Manager at Danfoss 05:50 Defining supply planning and demand planning 08:10 The demand plan becomes the supply plan in an E2E process 09:45 The roles need to defined and assigned 11:05 Breaking down siloes between demand and supply 14:05 …

IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. 04:20 Jonathon Karelse, author of Histories of the Future 07:48 The epistemology of forecasting - why do we forecast the way we do? 10:00 Questioning forecasting orthodoxy - did Holt & Winters know what they were doing? 12:35 Behavioural economics and bias in forecasting 13:50 Judgeme…

01:25 Get IBF Membership 02:30 Getting investment for resources 04:10 Building the business case for investment 06:00 Learn the needs and language of decision makers 07:36 Presenting the benefits: ROI, savings, efficiencies 09:18 Educate leadership about what you do 11:00 Explaining what improved forecast accuracy really means for cash and ROI 12:4…

IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here: http://bit.ly/business-forecasting Introducing Eric's younger, better, and smarter replacement. 01:20 What is business forecasting? 01:40 What is demand planning? 03:49 What are business forecasting and business forec…

01:43 Appling COVID forecasting models for business problems 03:23 We're not forecasting numbers but how consumers react to different stimuli 05:21 John Cordier, CEO of Epistemix, pushing the boundaries of predictive analytics 08:10 Modelling variables like behavior and policy that spread diseases 12:20 Most companies use only internal data which s…

01:30 The advancements in planning brought about by COVID 04:00 Tempur Sealy's Director of Demand Planning 05:21 Tempur Sealy's 300% increase in sales during COVID 07:10 How Tempur Sealy reacted to spikes in demand 07:43 How COVID made Tempur Sealy switch to S&OE 10:25 Did they keep S&OE after COVID/ 11:03 The value of segmentation 12:09 Why Tempur…

02:18 Can S&OP be done remotely? 03:45 Kevin Reim, VP Fulfilment Operations, L'Oréal 05:05 Why hybrid S&OP works - and is even more effective 06:10 Does lack of close contact hinder trust and collaboration? 07:57 Workplace politics has increased post-COVID 10:30 People are less inclined to engage when behind a camera 12:30 Does virtual working crea…

IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here: http://bit.ly/business-forecasting 02:11 The new normal of digital S&OP/IBP 06:00 S&OP is still being relegated to a supply chain function 06:45 Supply chain folks are too tactical 07:50 Day-to-day S&OP isn't working …

IBF On Demand sponsored by Arkieva, your one-plan S&OP software. Learn more about Arkieva's innovative approach to forecasting here: http://bit.ly/business-forecasting 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Orlando Forecasting, Planning & S&OP Conference 02:30 How Starbucks uses your data to make you spend more 03:50 Data analytics still comes down to people and…