This episode explores:

• Maria Pia De Caro’s approach to making her team “agility champions” that can rebuild and reimagine supply chain structures to support business goals. (1:32)
• Pernod Ricard’s three pillars of supply chain productivity in today’s evolving trade environment. (4:51)
• Balancing talent specialization and generalization across the supply chain. (11:14)
• Actionable advice for CSCOs navigating today’s VUCA business environment. (16:38)

Host Thomas O’Connor discusses Pernod Ricard’s approach to supply chain productivity and agility with Maria Pia De Caro, the organization’s EVP of integrated operations and sustainability and responsibility (S&R). They explore adjusting supply chain operations to deliver on business fundamentals like service, cost and cash, as well as how Pernod Ricard drives productivity in today’s VUCA environment. They close the show with recommendations for CSCOs around boardroom communications that make the business stronger, more agile and faster in an environment where speed is crucial.

Gartner clients interested in finding out more about this topic can access the following:

Survive and Grow in This Volatile Tariff-Driven Economy

CSCOs Can Improve Their Influence With C-Suite Stakeholders

About the Guest:

Maria Pia De Caro is a seasoned leader in integrated operations and S&R, boasting over 25 years of global experience in supply chain and operations. Throughout her distinguished career, she has spearheaded multifaceted teams focused on engineering, manufacturing, M&A and supply chain innovation across renowned FMCG enterprises. Maria Pia’s journey includes pivotal roles at Procter & Gamble, Mondelez, Unilever and Nomad Foods in diverse locations such as Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, China and the U.K., before bringing her expertise to Pernod Ricard Group in 2023.

This episode explores:

• An overview of the expectations gap between AI investments and the results chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) are seeing. (1:58)
• How CSCOs can set an effective, long-term vision for AI in their organizations. (3:22)
• Putting that vision into action to craft better AI investment strategies. (6:30)
• Implementing and scaling AI solutions across the supply chain. (10:34)
• Actionable advice for CSCOs implementing AI systems into their supply chains. (13:21)

In this episode, host Tess Frenzel speaks with Gartner Senior Principal of Research Benjamin Jury about his research into generative AI’s (GenAI’s) impacts on the supply chain. They explore three critical junctures that supply chains tend to stumble over in their current approach to AI, and what CSCOs can do to resolve issues surrounding each one. Tess and Ben close the show with additional AI-centric recommendations for CSCOs implementing the technology into their supply chains over the coming year.

Gartner clients interested in finding out more about this topic can access the following:

Supply Chain Executive Report: Closing the AI Expectations-Reality Gap

About the Guest

Benjamin Jury is a Gartner senior principal of research, leading research projects that address chief supply chain officers’ key priorities. In addition to his executive report focused on maximizing the impact of AI in the supply chain, he is currently leading a research study on cost management. Before this role, Ben’s research agenda centered on the mission-critical priorities of heads of R&D and their teams.

This episode explores:

• Expanding remits for supply chain leaders and the value they deliver. (1:17)
• How organizational structure underpins these new remits, and Ralph Lauren’s philosophy on this structure. (5:08)
• Talent opportunities borne from expanded remits for supply chain talent and leadership. (8:35)
• Technology’s role in expanding supply chain’s remit. (11:44)
• Actionable advice for supply chain leaders of tomorrow. (16:33)

Supply Chain Podcast host Thomas O’Connor discusses the evolving role supply chain leaders play in their businesses with Halide Alagöz, chief product and merchandising officer (including supply chain) for Ralph Lauren. They explore Halide’s unique career path and role at Ralph Lauren offer insight into changing expectations and growth opportunities for supply chain leaders, as well as how Ralph Lauren’s organizational approaches to talent and technology helped uncover them. Thomas and Halide close the show with recommendations for supply chain leaders of the future, and how they can use these lesions to evolve.

Gartner clients interested in finding out more about this topic can access the following:

Supply Chain Executive Report: Radically Rethinking Reorganization
Executive FastStart™ for CSCOs: How to Build Relationships and Personal Brand

About the Guest

Halide Alagöz is the Chief Product and Merchandising Officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation. She is responsible for the end-to-end product life cycle as leader of the company’s Polo, RRL and Lauren brand teams and the Brand Image and Purple Label Merchandising teams. Halide additionally drives innovation and execution – from development through sourcing – of all products across the Ralph Lauren portfolio.

Prior to joining Ralph Lauren, Halide was with H&M Corporation for 18 years, most recently in Hong Kong as the Head of Purchasing. During her tenure with H&M, Halide was responsible for various regional and global supply chain operations in Hong Kong, China, Bangladesh, and in her native country, Turkey.

Halide also serves on the board of directors of the American Apparel & Footwear Association since April 2018 and was confirmed as its vice chair for its 2024-2025 term in March 2024. Halide earned both her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and her master’s degree in engineering management from Istanbul Technical University.