Carol Brace SP,MBA,CIL,CTL, LSSBB, PMP, SCOR-P

Lessons in #SupplyChainLeadership: Voices from the UNT Supply Chain Management Executive Speaker Series Big thanks to Landry Lewis and Jordan Sarchet of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. for an energizing session on logistics leadership and career growth. Their insights on #adaptability, #emotionalintelligence, and the evolving logistics landscape left a lasting impression. From resume tips to operational strategy, students gained practical tools to navigate their careers with confidence. University of North Texas G. Brint Ryan College of Business #LogisticsLeadership #CareerDevelopment #JBHunt #ProfessionalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #FinalMileDelivery #IntermodalTransport #MentorshipMatters #Adaptability #OperationsExcellence

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I am starting a new posting series on "Voices of Supply Chain Leadership: Lessons from the UNT Supply Chain Management Executive Speaker Series"... Lesson 1: Launching a Career in Supply Chain Speakers: Brian Heldebrandt, Kayla Blessman, Len Batcha, Nathan Chaney, & James Scott Jr. Getting started in the supply chain industry can feel overwhelming, but early exposure through #internships, #jobshadowing, or campus projects is key. Speakers emphasized how showing up #prepared — on LinkedIn, in interviews, and in internships—makes a lasting impression. Understand that #professionalism isn't just about your resume. It's how you interact, follow up, and stay engaged. From customizing your resume to tailoring your questions during interviews, your effort reflects your potential. Take advantage of university career centers, practice behavioral interviews, and learn to present yourself with confidence. Speakers advised students to know their #value and not let imposter syndrome take over. Be proactive and persistent—your first job may not be your dream job, but it’s your launchpad. University of North Texas G. Brint Ryan College of Business University of North Texas #VoicesofSupplyChainLeadership

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For my March 12th Supply Chain Matters Podcast, I had the pleasure to speak to Donald Tumulak, PMP, a procurement transformation and strategic sourcing leader with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations optimize procurement operations, strengthen supplier governance, and drive measurable business value. I have known Donald for over 30 years and in short, he is my ‘Go-To-Guy’ for matters related to contracts and strategic procurement. Donald shared his most recent experiences working as a Strategic Procurement Lead in the insurance industry. Our conversation did get a bit side-tracked as we debated the vertical integration of the ‘Auto Body Repair Shop Industry’ into the larger tier Insurance firms (TD, Intact, Aviva). When the dust settled, the discussion pivoted to the usage of AI in procurement. We spent time discussing the role of AI in assessing supplier risk and contract negotiation/management.  It was a pleasure to spend some time with one of my early-on mentors and colleagues and hopefully the messages pertaining to the integration of AI and ‘top-down’ decision making in procurement management was clear to students.   Thank you Donald for your time and knowledge share! For George Brown Polytechnic Supply Chain students and faculty: a recording of the session is located under “Content” in our SCM Community on Brightspace. ON DECK: I am taking a (March Break) week off. The next Supply Chain Matters Podcast is scheduled for Thursday March 26th. My guest will be  Keith Sheardown, a Director at Network Rail Consulting. His career spans all facets of rail asset transformation focusing on operational readiness, reliability, supply chains, innovation, performance management and change leadership. The conversation will focus on Lean Practices, change management/transformation, where Keith will pull on his 40+ years of experience in rail and transit including his time in executive positions at Metrolinx and Bombardier. Get your free ticket to event at: https://lnkd.in/gsKkzYDy #scm #supplychainmanagement #georgebrowncollege #procurement #insurance #strategicprocurement #serviceprocurement #GBP

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The objective is not software training. It is curriculum modernisation. Logistics educators faces three pressing realities, digitally orchestrated logistics execution of supply chains, budget and access constraints to evolve and legacy program architecture The strategic opportunity lies in addressing all three together. Academic credibility is not weakened by acknowledging industry infrastructure. It is strengthened when theory, execution, cost reality, and institutional design are aligned in the CargoWise Education Partner Program https://lnkd.in/gVZziiHQ #cargowisepartners #cargowise #educators

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Why Listening to Your Workforce Matters in Higher Education Supply Chain Leadership In higher education, supply chain operations are more than just procurement and logistics, they are the backbone that supports teaching, research, and student success. As leaders in this environment, one of the most powerful tools we have is the ability to listen to our workforce. Frontline supply chain employees interact daily with systems, vendors, faculty, and operational challenges. They often see inefficiencies, risks, and opportunities long before leadership does. When leaders actively listen, they gain insights that improve processes, strengthen compliance, and increase operational efficiency. Listening also builds trust and engagement. When employees feel heard, they are more likely to share ideas, raise concerns early, and take ownership of solutions. This creates a culture where innovation thrives and continuous improvement becomes part of the organization’s DNA. Personally, I am incredibly proud of the professionals I work with. Every day, they demonstrate commitment, integrity, and a strong work ethic while supporting the mission of higher education. Whether they are negotiating contracts, supporting research initiatives, ensuring compliance, or helping departments obtain the resources they need, their work directly impacts students, faculty, and the broader university community. In a higher education supply chain, where budgets are tight and expectations are high, the best solutions rarely come from the top alone. They come from collaboration between leadership and the professionals executing the mission every day. Great leaders don’t just direct operations, they create an environment where every voice contributes to better outcomes. By listening to our workforce and valuing their contributions, we strengthen our teams, support the university mission, and build a supply chain operation that truly serves the institution. Birds Up!!

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Where is the supply chain profession headed next? At TPM26 I had the opportunity to speak with Jordan Zeldin, President of CSCMP - Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. CSCMP sits at the center of the global supply chain leadership community — connecting executives, academics, and practitioners across industries. That vantage point gives Jordan a unique perspective on where the profession is evolving. One theme from our discussion stood out: ➡️ The supply chain profession is entering a new phase where discipline, resilience, and talent development will matter more than ever. In our conversation we discussed: • How supply chain leadership is evolving • Where companies are investing in talent and capability • What today’s volatility means for the next generation of supply chain leaders This was a great conversation about the future of the profession itself. 🎥 Interview below. #SupplyChain #CSCMP #SupplyChainLeadership #LogisticsLeadership #GlobalTrade #TPM26 #thecoolkids

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That sinking feeling when your "fully certified" supplier misses another delivery? It's a common pain. The problem is, certifications show capability, not consistent performance. Let's be honest—most suppliers are experts at "managing the audit." Relying on that alone is a risk that leads to project delays and constant firefighting. It's not just about the 'on-paper' promise, it's about the 'on-the-ground' performance. That's why at FlockScore, we're combining audit assurance with the lived experience of peers. We broke down the role of major certificates in sourcing. Check out the full article: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eB_84Q_u #SupplierPerformance #Procurement #SupplyChain #FlockScore

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Are U.S. tariffs throwing a wrench in your supply chain? You're not alone. This piece explores the significant impact of recent trade policies on supply chain network design and unveils how strategic adjustments can help you navigate this complex environment. Click to learn how to turn tariff challenges into a competitive advantage. https://lnkd.in/eg94RCKi

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What does “Great Integration” actually look like in a digital supply chain? This past week, our Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee MS in Global Supply Chain students got a real-world answer from Dan Gordon, SVP of Solution Engineering at Redwood Logistics (a corporate partner supporting the Global Supply Chain Institute at the University of Tennessee). Dan joined my SCM 534 – Tools & Technology in Global Supply Chain Management class to share how leading companies think about: -Integration strategy that scales with the business and creates a competitive advantage -Master data management strategy — not just IT hygiene -Designing ecosystems that connect ERP, SCM apps, and trading partners seamlessly The highlight for students? A real-world use case showing how a company leveraged RedwoodConnect as its integration platform to unify its SCM landscape, ERP, legacy systems, and trading partner network. The takeaway was clear: Integration isn’t a back-office project — it’s a strategic capability that directly impacts visibility, speed, and decision-making. Huge thanks to Dan (University of Florida Alum) for bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world execution. Experiences like this are what prepare our next generation of supply chain practitioners. #SCM #SupplyChainManagement #RedwoodLogistics #Vols #UTKGSCI

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Savings is there in higher ed. You just need to a process and deep analysis of the data to uncover it.

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