In this special two-part episode of the Supply Chain Careers Podcast, we take you inside three of the top supply chain university programs in the United States to uncover how they’re shaping the next generation of leaders. Hosts Mike Ogle, Rodney Apple, and Chris Gaffney sit down with Dr. Judy Whipple of Michigan State University, Dr. Brian Fugate of the University of Arkansas, and Chris Gaffney in his role leading Georgia Tech’s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute.

You’ll hear firsthand how these programs are evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing supply chain landscape - covering curriculum design, industry partnerships, experiential learning, and the essential skills students need to thrive in their careers. Whether you’re a student, educator, or supply chain professional, this episode delivers valuable insights into the future of supply chain talent development.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

In this special episode, guest host Brian Kennedy sits down with Chris Gaffney to explore how supply chain professionals can take control of their careers by embracing artificial intelligence. Chris introduces the “AI Maturity Ladder,” a step-by-step roadmap that helps individuals and teams evolve from foundational tools like Excel to advanced capabilities like predictive analytics, machine learning, and AI agents.

The conversation covers:

• The evolution of AI in supply chain roles
• Practical skills to stay relevant in a data-driven market
• How tools like Python, SQL, and Power BI tie into career growth
• Why applied analytics beats theoretical knowledge in today’s job market
• Strategies for leaders to upskill their teams and create a culture of innovation

Whether you're a student, mid-career professional, or supply chain leader, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance for climbing the AI ladder and ensuring you’re leading change instead of reacting to it.

🔗 Learn more at scl.gatech.edu
🎙️ Powered by SCM Talent Group | scmtalent.com

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing

Featuring Erin Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at YMX Logistics

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers podcast, we sit down with Erin Mitchell, COO of YMX Logistics, to explore her remarkable career journey from software developer at Kraft to leading logistics integrations and scaling a fast-growing startup.

Erin shares how a company-sponsored MBA opened doors into operations, and how servant leadership, stretch assignments, and a bias for action helped her navigate major mergers, build high-performing teams, and drive innovation in supply chain.

We discuss:

• The skills Erin looks for when hiring logistics talent
• Leading during high-pressure M&A integrations
• Transitioning from shipper to logistics service provider
• Why operations experience is critical for long-term career growth
• Balancing sustainability, customer success, and profitability
• How to lead through change, even when the plan goes off-course

Whether you're just starting out or leading a global supply chain, Erin’s story offers practical advice and inspiration for supply chain professionals at every stage.

Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:

• Continuous Improvement
• Engineering
• Inventory Planning
• Logistics & Transportation
• Manufacturing
• Operations
• Robotics
• Sales & Business Development
• S&OP
• Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology & Automation
• Warehousing