Supply Chain Now

Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner focused on supply chain strategy. He discusses AI moving from hype to practical augmentation, when to invest amid market uncertainty, why S&OP needs clearer executive support, and how supply chains are evolving into strategic decision-shaping functions. Short, tactical, and forward-looking takes on technology and leadership.

They unpack how recent military strikes and geopolitical tensions ripple through global commerce and inventory planning. They cover shifting tariff rules and legal decisions reshaping trade policy and talent needs. They highlight food industry trends toward healthier, novel flavors and reformulation. They explore rapid AI adoption in planning, asset tracking, and scenario modeling to boost resilience and agility.

Shea Nesseler, VP of Logistics at Danone with 20+ years in logistics leadership. Cory Knox, VP at Procter & Gamble who runs end-to-end personal healthcare supply chains. Douglas Guilherme, SVP at Hershey with decades in end-to-end supply chain strategy. Eduardo Adame, VP at 3M focused on transformation and planning modernization. They discuss leading through constant disruption, AI plus people, planning modernization, resilience, and talent development.

Bobby Holland, Director of Freight Business Analytics at U.S. Bank, shares data-driven freight payment trends. Nick Palmucci, Senior Director of Supply Chain at Ferguson, offers practitioner logistics perspective. They discuss tightening capacity, rising costs, divergent regional performance, demand shifts from consumer behavior, and practical leadership moves like roadmaps, tech adoption, and shipper-of-choice strategies.

Nick DiPolito, Co-founder and COO of VDSAI, brings industrial internet and ISO 25500 experience. Paul J. Noble, VDSAI co-founder and supply chain tech advisor, adds AI and verification expertise. They discuss decision velocity in the face of tariff and regulatory shifts. They focus on ISO 25500 for data trust, AI-driven risks like impersonation, and the role of verified identifiers in supply chain interoperability.

Returns are no longer just a headache, they’re a strategic opportunity. As the circular economy gains momentum, reverse logistics is quickly becoming one of the most important levers in modern supply chains.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Deborah Dull are joined by Scot Case, Vice President of Sustainability at the National Retail Federation (NRF), and Tony Sciarrotta, Senior Director of Reverse Logistics and Circularity at NRF, to share key insights from the NRF Rev event and discuss why reverse logistics deserves a seat at the strategy table.The conversation explores how resale, repair, and recycling are moving into the mainstream, and why returns should no longer be treated as a cost center. From the surge in e-commerce returns to increasing legislative pressure through extended producer responsibility, the group breaks down how these forces are changing retail and supply chain operations.Deborah adds perspective on how technology improves visibility and accountability across the returns process. Together, the guests outline practical ways companies can turn reverse logistics into a competitive advantage while improving customer experience and advancing sustainability goals.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:31) Meet the guests: Scot Case and Tony Sciarrotta(06:31) NRF’s sustainability mission: Business value meets reverse logistics(10:46) RLA + NRF: Bringing returns out of the “dark side”(15:22) Macro trends shaping reverse logistics: Reuse, resale, repair & more(20:40) Tariffs, EPR laws & the circular economy’s next push(24:52) Inside NRF Rev: The reverse logistics & revenue “revolution” event(26:05) NRF Rev: Bringing reverse logistics into the spotlight(27:32) Why retailers are the center of the returns universe(28:18) Refurbished products mindset shift: The ‘restaurant fork’ story(29:24) Deborah’s practitioner lens: Why this conference matters(31:00) Key takeaways: Collaboration, EPR, and no single silver bullet(34:04) Urban mining & the resale economy (and why brands must engage)(36:32) What’s next: NRF working groups, global scale, and policy influence(40:16) Remade in America: A story-driven podcast on ‘where returns go’Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Scot Case: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotcase/Connect with Tony Sciarrotta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-sciarrotta-235570/Connect with Deborah Dull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahdull/Learn more about the National Retail Federation (NRF): https://nrf.comLearn more about NRF Rev: https://nrfrev.com/Learn more about Trillium Digital Services: https://trillium.digital/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizes: https://bit.ly/4pOGgyoWEBINAR- ChatGPT Is Just the Beginning for Shipping: https://bit.ly/3YLFGq7This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Deborah Dull and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/returns-crossroads-state-reverse-logistics-circularity-1550

Titus Fagan, a TCU accounting student and student body leader bringing a student perspective. Ryan Goodwin, senior director of supply chain technology and adjunct professor focused on integrating planning, MRP, finance, and AI. They discuss simulation-based learning, vibe coding and AI for non-coders, energy and grid bottlenecks, nuclear and infrastructure solutions, and how students want rapid responsibility and cross-functional experience.

Jimmy Sebastian, VP of AI Products at FourKites, builds explainable AI agents and the Loft platform to automate supply chain workflows. He discusses AI workflow platforms that speed deployment and agility. He talks about aligning automation with upskilling, Gen Z’s interest in skilled trades, and rising fraudulent returns and tech responses.

Toby Maier, CEO for Middle East and Africa at DHL Global Forwarding, leads logistics and investments across the region. He discusses shifting trade flows and GCC countries building major hubs. He covers DHL’s $300M push for life-science logistics, infrastructure and energy challenges, and practical moves toward electrification and sustainable aviation fuel.

Joshua Ahn, a supply and value chain management student focused on global sustainability and ethical visibility. Cort Comer, a supply chain senior with an energy business minor concentrating on energy, land procurement, and public perception. Dr. Morgan Swink, TCU supply chain professor and center director bridging academia and industry. They discuss reverse logistics and rising returns costs. They explore sustainability and multi-tier visibility. They examine AI-driven energy and data center demands.