In this episode of Supply Chain Now, and part of the Supply Chain Leadership Across Africa series, Scott Luton is joined by co-host Clare Fincham of SAPICS, with guests Nicole Petersen from the South African Graduate Employers Association, and Yaseen Ahmid, CEO of Luna, to explore the biggest takeaways from the SAPICS Annual Conference 2025 in Cape Town. Together, they discuss the rising demand for supply chain graduates, the growing emphasis on sustainability skills, and the widening gap between what universities teach and what employers need. Nicole shares how initiatives like Quantify Your Future are creating clear pathways for students, while Yaseen highlights the importance of tailoring resumes, building early employer relationships, and showcasing entrepreneurial soft skills. Clare emphasizes the role of community and collaboration in extending conference conversations into universities and businesses. This discussion offers a roadmap for addressing supply chain talent shortages and preparing Africa’s workforce to lead in global innovation.   This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Clare Fincham, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton.   Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show:   Connect with Nicole Petersen Learn more about the…

Supply chain planning is undergoing a profound shift in a landscape shaped by rising geopolitical pressure, accelerating disruption cycles, and unprecedented investment in AI. Organizations are being pushed to deliver growth while navigating higher volatility, tighter margins, and increased expectations for speed and adaptability. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by special guest host Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, and Noha Samara, Senior Director, Global Supply Chain at Gartner. Noha draws on her cross-industry experience from manufacturing and consumer goods to high tech to explore how planners can better connect strategy, ecosystems, and technology to meet the demands of 2025 and beyond. Scott, Mike, and Noha unpack the four essentials for elevating planning performance: aligning planning strategy with business priorities, collaborating across extended supply networks, defining a precise and targeted role for AI, and equipping people with the skills and confidence to lead through change. They also spotlight insights from the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit, including the skills planners need, the expanding relevance of CPFR, and why the future of planning depends as much on talent and culture as it does on data and technology.   This episode is hosted by Scott…