Many professionals don’t plan for a career in S&OP—they find their way there by accident. In this episode, I sit down with Sergio Luiz Winter, Associate Director of Plasma Supply Chain Planning at Grifols, to discuss his unexpected journey from FP&A and controllership to becoming a successful S&OP leader. We explore the key skills needed to thrive in this role, how financial expertise translates to planning success, and what it takes to champion S&OP in today’s complex supply chain landscape. If you're looking to transition into S&OP or refine your leadership skills, this is a must-listen!

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Join me in this enlightening episode as I interview Viktoriia Khorolska, a leading expert from Ukraine and Germany, on the role of Collaborative Planning and Forecast Replenishment (CPFR) in today's supply chain management. We explore whether CPFR remains crucial in modern business, compare regional practices across Europe, and discuss how evolving market dynamics are reshaping collaborative strategies. Tune in for actionable insights that could redefine your approach to planning and replenishment.

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In this episode, I break down the essential KPIs in demand planning—what they are, what they aren’t, and how to calculate them correctly. I’ll explore the most commonly used metrics, debunk misconceptions, and explain why MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error) is not the villain it’s made out to be. Learn how to leverage these KPIs to drive better forecasting accuracy and smarter decision-making.

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In this episode, we explore how Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) functions on a global scale, bridging the gap between regional requirements and overarching business objectives. Discover three distinct approaches to implementing S&OP worldwide, and learn which option might be best suited to your organization. Gain insights on creating a critical framework that respects local differences while driving a unified, high-level strategy across multiple geographies.

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In this insightful interview, I sat down with Cynthia Trevino de Leon, CFO at Mexilink and a driving force behind their emerging S&OP process. We explore the crucial role of finance in S&OP/IBP, the importance of linking KPIs directly to the income statement and balance sheet, and how this financial lens can foster stronger collaboration and shared strategy across the organization. Cynthia also shares her experiences as part of Chief—an empowering community of women executives—and offers inspiration on how we can nurture the next generation of female leaders in our field. Tune in for practical guidance, inspiring stories, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to elevate S&OP and drive meaningful business success.

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To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

In this special follow-up episode and the second part of our 2-part series, I sit down with Meredith Cannon, Sr. Director of S&OP at Bimbo Bakeries. Building on discussions from the recent IBF Orlando conference, we dive into the pivotal role of cross-functional collaboration in demand planning and S&OP, explore consumption-based forecasting, and discuss how leadership in our field is evolving. Tune in for Meredith’s expert insights and actionable strategies to elevate your planning processes!

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In this first installment of a two-part series, I bring you a special interview with Patrick Bower, a supply chain expert with extensive experience and deep insights in the field. Fresh from the IBF Orlando conference, I ask Patrick some of the same tough questions I posed as moderator at the leadership forum. Join us as we dive into topics like S&OP, collaboration, transparency, and explore where we agree—and respectfully disagree—on the scope of S&OP/IBP. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the minds of top industry leaders and the strategic thinking that drives them forward.

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To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org

In this special seasonal episode, we're serving up spine-chilling stories that will make any supply chain professional break into a cold sweat! From terrifying data disasters to forecast nightmares that spiraled out of control, these tales are a reminder that even the smallest oversight in supply and demand planning can have monstrous consequences. You may want to listen with the lights on... Tune in for hair-raising stories that are sure to haunt you long after the episode ends.

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To sign up for regular updates and the latest research, events, articles, podcasts and more from the Institute of Business Forecasting & Training, visit www.ibf.org