#18 – Supply Chain Modernization with Dr. David Simchi-Levi
In Algo Podcast Episode 18, Dr. David Simchi-Levi and Amjad Hussain discuss Supply Chain Modernization.
Skip, recap, or review with timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
3:04 Designing & Managing the Supply Chain Book
4:25 Supply Chain Digitization & Transformation
5:13 MIT Data Science Lab
6:11 Supply Chain Resiliency Technologies
6:54 Inventory, Transportation & Procurement Optimization
7:19 Supply Chain Digitization & Price Optimization
7:50 MIT Personalized Offerings
8:59 Online Resources Allocation
9:25 How to partner with MIT Data Science Lab
10:38 Supply Chain Digitization: Perception vs. Reality
12:42 Key Capabilities for Supply Chain Digitization
15:22 Smart Supply Chain Digitization
16:40 Redefining CPG Manufacturing Supply Chains
18:48 Supply Chain Digitization during pandemic
19:25 Unified View of Demand: Traditional & Advanced Approaches
23:57 Unified View of Demand: CPG Example
26:45 Generating a Unified View of Demand
30:47 Forecast Accuracy
33:14 Retailer Order Forecast Challenges
35:16 Collaborative Forecasting: CPG / Retailer / Manufacturer
39:48 Forecasting Center of Excellence
41:52 Attribute selection process & data aggregation
46:49 Supply Chain Segmentation
48:47 “Segmentation” is referred to loosely
51:03 Drivers of CPG Supply Chain Segmentation Strategy
52:22 Volume, Volatility & Margin
55:38 Trade-Offs between Responsiveness & Efficiency
58:14 Old / New Approaches in S&OP
1:00:48 Smart Supply Chain Execution: KPIs & KPPs
1:04:53 Comparing Planning & Execution
1:06:03 Requirements for Success
1:06:58 Digital Transformation Journey
1:09:08 Different Styles of Data Science
1:11:02 Forecasting: Explainability
1:13:38 Combining machine learning with domain knowledge
1:15:11 Preparing for COVID-like events in the future
1:20:00 Closing Thoughts
About the host

Amjad Hussain
Amjad Hussain is an entrepreneur at heart. He founded Algo where he is the CEO during the day and AI lego blocks designer at night. He has built an intrinsically motivated global team of deep business domain experts, AI architects, computer scientists and software engineers. Algo is an always on full stack platform with deep learning, augmented reality and workflow automation woven at its core. The platform has a conversational virtual business analyst persona as its primary user interface. The company is enjoying sustainable growth creating tremendous net new value for its customers world-wide.
Amjad completed his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering with Honors from UET Lahore. He earned his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from UMIST, in the United Kingdom and an Advanced Analytics MBA from MIT. He has completed general management programs at Harvard and Stanford business schools. Amjad deeply cares about ethical issues surrounding AI and its societal impact.