On this episode, Sarah Scudder and guest host Lindsay Smith delve into major news affecting small and mid-sized manufacturers. They discuss Apple's significant shift to India, moving $500 million worth of production and the implications for outsourcing strategies and supply chain transitions. The conversation covers Foxconn's new factory in India, the U.S. investment in Indian startups, and the broader impacts on global trade, including China's growing trade surplus and India's rising exports. Additionally, they touch on BK Yellow Freight's major sale of freight terminals and equipment, and DHL's stance on the Teamsters strike at their Cincinnati Hub, considering potential impacts on Christmas season freight rates.

In the episode of What the Duck?! Another Supply Chain Podcast, Sarah introduces Ernie, a long-time friend with a non-traditional career path that began in the army, leading to a specialization in supply chain management. Ernie’s journey includes roles in consulting, biotech, and logistics, offering insights into strategic sourcing and supply chain challenges in various industries. The discussion delves into his experiences in biotech, the intricacies of working in a highly regulated industry, and his time at HD Supply focusing on distribution and logistics.Tune in to hear Ernie’s career advice, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adapting to industry needs.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

Ernie’s Unique Career Trajectory

Experiences in Supply Chain Management within the Military

The Significance of Strategic Sourcing

Challenges and Innovation within the BioTech Industry

Impact of Regulatory Frameworks and SMPs 

Nuances of Distribution and Logistics

Ongoing Innovations in Energy and Life Sciences

Emerging Industries and Trends 

MOMENTS TO DUCK AROUND

ERNIE: On Strategic Sourcing and Industry Challenges

"I think it's the best of all worlds to do that type of work. So, that was about a decade of my life focused on all those things that I was doing for PWC and then IBM. It was an incredible proving ground for me."

ERNIE: On Career Adaptation and Continuous Learning 

“I think I've been lucky, and I think the reason I've been lucky is because I'm kind of fearless in some senses of the word. That I don't mind leaping into something that I know very little about, and I think I can figure it out real quickly."

Connect with Ernie and learn what he’s been duckin’ around with:

Ernie Hernandez | Rivian

Connect with Sarah and find out more about what the duck she’s up to

LinkedIn |Twitter |SourceDay |SourceDay.com

Had fun with the podcast? Leave us a like, share our content, and subscribe! See you soon on the next episode of What The Duck?!

Dive into the dynamic world of supply chain management with What the Duck?! Another Supply Chain Podcast, where host Sarah Scudder is joined by the insightful Dyci Sfregola. Together, they unravel the complexities of direct material procurement and the transformative power of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Dyci, a seasoned growth consultant, shares her wealth of experience and actionable strategies for small to midsize manufacturers to streamline their processes and boost ROI. With a focus on the essential CIPO framework and practical tools for operational clarity, this episode is a treasure trove for those looking to refine their approach to supply chain before the year's endBottom of Form.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

Dyci’s Journey Working in Sales/ Marketing to Transitions to Supply Chain

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Its Role in Supply Chain

Challenging Experiences in Direct Materials Supply Chain

Importance of SOPs in Supply Chain Management

Strategies for Managing Processes Efficiently 

Digital Transformation and Software Implementation

The Necessity for Knowledge Transfer and Contingency Planning

Challenges in Selecting and Implementing Software

MOMENTS TO DUCK AROUND

DYCI: On the Importance of SOPs and Process Management

So, first of all, why it's important is because it allows you to be proactive and set a cadence and a pace of the business that is not always reactionary, and it's not always firefighting. Because when things go the way that we expect them to go, which, you know, rarely happens, everyone's fine like, 'Oh, this is what it's supposed to happen when I come to work today.' But, because in the world of supply chain operations, nothing ever works the way that you expect it to do. Well, if you don't have the SOPs that govern the way you do business, the way workflows happen, the way approvals happen, then it becomes just everyone running around trying to figure out, 'Okay, well, who's going to do this? 

DYCI: On Digital Transformation and Software Implementation 

And what they actually realized is that they didn't really have a process for new product introduction. So, we were working with items that were being phased out, and, you know, these were finished goods. And then, if you're thinking about, "Okay, well, the finished good is being phased out, you need to now have a forecast for the finished good, the cannibalization, etc., for the new item." But on top of that, all of the components—which are your direct materials—that you need to actually build the new... "Okay, well, how do we now come up with a forecast for that? And determine safety stock, and work with the supplier for lead times, and, you know, all of that?” So, that project recently stands out to me because it's the most recent, and I'm like in it right now, trying to figure it out.

Connect with Dyci and learn what she’s been duckin’ around with:

Dyci Sfregola | New Gen Architects

Connect with Sarah and find out more about what the duck she’s up to

LinkedIn |Twitter |SourceDay |SourceDay.com

Had fun with the podcast? Leave us a like, share our content, and subscribe! See you soon on the next episode of What The Duck?!