Robert Yturri

At the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit in Denver, Scott Luton caught up with Rob Haddock, a seasoned supply chain practitioner and advisor with Demand Chain AI, to discuss the persistent planning challenges organizations face—and why maturity, discipline, and optimization still matter more than buzzwords. Demand Chain AI blends consulting services with advanced supply chain technologies, focusing on optimization across trade promotion management, demand sensing, supply planning, and detailed production scheduling. Haddock’s role centers on helping organizations strengthen business processes—particularly sales and operations planning (S&OP), performance reporting, and the practical application of technology to improve execution on both the demand and supply sides.   A Practitioner’s Perspective on Planning Gaps Haddock’s perspective is shaped by decades spent inside large, sophisticated supply chain organizations. Early in his career, he worked within an iconic, global beverage company where advanced planning environments were already in place—though, in hindsight, he admits those tools were sometimes underutilized. Today, Haddock spends much of his time working with small and mid-sized organizations that haven’t been as fortunate. In many of these environments, planning maturity is still low, foundational practices are missing, and—unsurprisingly—Excel remains the primary planning tool. “Basic business practices that have been around since the 1990s…

In today’s supply chain landscape, digital transformation is no longer optional—but as the panelists in the latest Supply Chain Now webinar revealed, it’s also not just about technology. Hosted by Scott Luton and Jake Barr, this conversation brought together two powerhouse leaders: Eliza Simeonova, Quality Supply Chain Operations Officer at Haleon, and Philip Vervloesem, Chief Commercial & Markets Officer at OMP. Together, they tackled one of the most pressing challenges of our time—how to lead meaningful, people-centered transformation in an age increasingly defined by AI. A few insights stood out: Technology isn’t the hero—people are. True digital transformation begins with clarity of purpose, disciplined simplification, and leaders who stay close to the work. AI amplifies human intelligence, it doesn’t replace it. The most successful organizations empower their teams to collaborate with technology, not compete against it. Waiting for perfection is the biggest risk. Progress comes from experimentation, agility, and the courage to act before every variable is known. From redefining leadership mindsets to practical strategies for upskilling teams, this discussion offered an inspiring roadmap for supply chain leaders ready to embrace what’s next. Watch the full webinar on demand: Register to view the replay »Download the companion resource: 5 Must-Know…