Raleigh Wilkins

A British logistician is credited with coining the term “supply chain management” in the early 1980s, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that the world became familiar with such aspects of supply chain operations as logistics, inventory and supplier management, and procurement. The influence of supply chain leaders also has grown with the understanding of the importance of the supply chain in the global economy. Supply chain management is a complex field with many moving parts, and the need for accurate and reliable information is more crucial than ever. Industry leaders help facilitate discourse and spur innovation to shape the future of the supply chain. In this article, we highlight five of these supply chain leaders, showcasing their extensive expertise and experience in the industry and what they are planning for the future. Making Moves: Five Supply Chain Leaders on the State of the Industry 2024 has been an exciting year so far. The OSRA 2022 ruling went into effect to better regulate demurrage and detention charges; Chinese e-commerce businesses are heating up the airfreight industry; and in dire contrast, the U.S. trucking industry continues to struggle through a lengthened lean patch. In an increasingly volatile ecosystem, the industry…

Special Guest Blog Post from e2open From demand sensing to dynamic allocation, here’s how leaders turn peak season logistics into profit   Call it Q4, The Golden Quarter, or Peak Season—it’s the 100-day sprint through fall and winter holidays where profits soar, plans tighten, and one slip leaves you scrambling through January. Across peak season logistics, most companies obsess over outbound speed. Yet the real winners are brands that master inbound logistics flow months earlier. Getting the right inventory to the right locations isn’t glamorous, but it’s where the margins live. Every peak season playbook demands strategic evolution. Rerun last year’s strategy this quarter and you’ll sink—unless you’ve built sophisticated inbound logistics capabilities, airtight supplier partnerships, and precise forecasting to anticipate market shifts. With the right strategy, you can stride into the Golden Quarter. That means: Smarter forecasting that detects demand shifts before they hit Sharper allocation that puts inventory exactly where it’s needed Replenishment planning that maintains flow under pressure On Time in Full (OTIF) execution that keeps products moving and shoppers happy In peak season, accuracy wins. Miss inbound positioning, and your bottom line misses too.   Inbound planning: The difference between stockouts and sales Golden Quarter demand…