Direct material procurement has become more complex than ever amid cost fluctuations, demand variability, supply uncertainties and expanding sustainability goals. Procurement leaders must assimilate learnings from the past years and rethink their priorities and metrics. In this GEP podcast, Virat Venkataraman, director of consulting, and Vinita Singh, associate director of product marketing, discuss the most pressing challenges in direct material sourcing and walk you through proven strategies to enhance resilience in the year ahead. What you’ll hear: •        ..read more

The use of plastic in packaging has reduced drastically. Or has it? Why do many CPG companies continue to rely on plastic packaging? How can they adopt sustainable packaging and deliver on ESG goals? Join GEP’s consulting experts Alex Hayes and Shanna Bell in an insightful podcast to understand how CPG companies can move the needle on ESG targets. Learn how CPGs can replace plastic with environment-friendly packaging and meet the expectations of customers, investors and governments. What you’ll hear: Why oil price volatility has compelled the CPG industry to seek alternatives to plastic packa ..read more

Inflation. Early signs of a recession. Continued geopolitical instability. Macroeconomic events continue to influence the business landscape in 2023. How can procurement and supply chain leaders rise to the challenge and deal with growing uncertainties? Can they address these enterprisewide challenges and help businesses adjust to a new normal? Join the conversation between GEP’s consulting experts Abhishek Goel and John Carter as they look closely at the top macroeconomic trends from the 2023 GEP Outlook report. Learn how to make sense of the impact of global events on your business operation ..read more

Supply chains have never been static. With disruption around every corner, supply chain leaders are racing to keep pace with changing consumer demands, a shifting competitive landscape and technological advances. However, many enterprises have hit a plateau. How do they get to the next level of performance? In this new podcast, GEP’s Pramod Gupta and Mason Sponem explore supply chain digitalization and the tools that enable greater visibility and transparency across the supply chain and increase efficiency and resilience. They offer a strategy for organizations to respond to disruption effecti ..read more

In a dynamic market, mergers and acquisitions are a necessary evil that create a great deal of uncertainty. When your vendor gets acquired, what does it mean for your business? Will the solution you’re relying on still exist after the inevitable reorganization? Will your account team? Navigating those uncertainties will keep C-suite executives up at night. In this timely and insightful podcast, GEP senior director of engagement Paul Blake talks with GEP marketing directors Raj Aggarwal and Alex Zhong about the current state of the procurement and supply chain software market, what’s driving th ..read more

Why do many businesses continue to falter at supply chain planning? Some don’t consider planning a top priority. Others have struggled to find planners with the right skills to efficiently leverage the vast amount of data generated. How can businesses overcome these roadblocks and get their planning right? Join supply chain consulting experts Robert Giacobbe and Beth Araujo in a new GEP podcast to understand strategies you can use to build a successful supply chain planning program. Learn why effective data management is the key to planning and to strategic supply chain management. What You’ll ..read more

While European chemicals remains a pioneer in innovation, the global pandemic has nevertheless taken its toll on the industry, reshaping supply/demand dynamics and imposing a new set of daunting challenges. In this new podcast, GEP consulting managers John Carter and Virat Venkataraman take a close look at the trends currently impacting European chemicals as well as the short- and long-term strategies the industry must embrace to ensure a prosperous future — from digitizing supply chains and exploring the benefits of shale gas to preplanning for cross-continental and cross-border shipments ..read more

As rising oil & gas prices continue to impact several industries, CPG companies as well as consumers are having a tough time. In fact, it’s hard to remember the last time when consumer goods prices rose so significantly. What’s worse, there are no signs of prices stabilizing given the current market conditions. How can CPG brands weather the storm and stay competitive? In this new podcast, GEP consulting leaders Celeste Ponce and Abhang Mehendale discuss strategies that CPG companies can use to withstand the impact of price fluctuations. Learn how CPG brands can adjust key priorities and r ..read more

When companies attempt to define supplier diversity, they often think of it as merely working with a variety of different types of suppliers. But truly diverse suppliers are, in fact, part of traditionally underrepresented/underserved demographics — and when you form successful partnerships with them, they can bring immense untapped value to your business. In this thought-provoking podcast, GEP senior consulting director Daryl Watkins and Miranda Burt reveal what actual supplier diversity is, why it matters, and how you can effectively implement its principles in your organization. You’ll lear ..read more

First, the pandemic caused sudden surges in demand for chemicals. Then came supply disruptions, growing uncertainty and inflation. And then the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The chemicals supply chain has been thoroughly shaken as a result. How can procurement rise to the challenge and ensure steady supply? Join GEP supply chain consulting leaders Sneha Mekhale and Abhishek Goel as they share useful insights in a new podcast. Learn why procurement must look beyond traditional pricing KPIs and leverage advanced technology and tools to thrive in the new normal. What You’ll Hear: Strategies to secure s ..read more