The Future of Supply Chain

In this episode, SAP’s David Vallejo discusses whether AI will replace or redefine supply chain jobs, and explains how assistants, agents, trust, and reskilling will shape a more strategic future for the workforce.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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SAP’s David Vallejo joins us to explore one of supply chain’s biggest questions: will AI replace jobs or redefine them? The conversation covers practical AI use cases, the role of assistants and agents, how to build trust, why reskilling matters, and which KPIs prove business value.
 
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Guest: David Vallejo, Vice President, Head of SCM Innovations Product Marketing, SAP
His global organization leads strategy and growth initiatives for SAP’s SCM portfolio which encompasses solutions for product lifecycle management, manufacturing, planning, logistics, assets and service management as well as the Business Network. The suite of AI-first solutions enable customers to orchestrate their supply chain with confidence to become risk-resilient, adaptable, and sustainable in their supply chain operations.

David joined SAP in 2014 and has held various leadership positions before attaining his current role. During David’s tenure he drove the successful launch of SAP’s Supply Chain Business Network focusing on direct materials collaboration across the extended supply chain and driving the customer co-innovation program as product owner for SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP).

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  

Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.  
 
She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  

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Show Links:
Supply Chain Management:  
SAP Supply Chain Management 
SAP Insights: Supply Chain       

Follow Us on Social Media : 
David Vallejo: LinkedIn
Richard Howells: LinkedIn, 
Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn      
SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn   
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:

 00:00:00: Intro
00:01:18: Guest introduction
00:01:54: Will AI replace supply chain jobs?
00:06:05: Where AI will have the first impact
00:10:01: Building trust and adoption in teams
00:13:58: Assistants, copilots, and job design
00:19:02: Best early use cases for agents
00:22:52: Reskilling supply chain organizations
00:26:28: KPIs that prove AI value
00:29:00 What's the future of the supply chain?
00:31:10: Outro

Logistics used to be about keeping costs down; today, it’s about surviving the next disruption. We’re unpacking how to break free from aging legacy systems, when to play it safe versus leapfrog to the cloud, and what the future of logistics looks like.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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SAP’s Till Dengel joins Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar to discuss the shift from legacy logistics systems to cloud-based solutions. He outlines SAP’s logistics modernization paths, explains how companies can assess complexity and risk, and shares his view on the future of supply chain as cloud-first, AI-enabled, and network-driven.
 
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Guest: Till Dengel, VP Product Marketing Logistics, Assets and Service Management at SAP SE
Till Dengel oversees global market research, thought leadership, commercial strategy, positioning, messaging, and communications for SAP's Digital Logistics and Asset/Service Management portfolio. As an accomplished speaker in this domain, he offers a comprehensive perspective on market dynamics and the latest industry trends.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  

Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.  
 
She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  

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Show Links:
Curious about your migration options? Check this out: 3 Journeys That Redefine Your Logistics in a Disruptive World 
 
Supply Chain Management:  
⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ 

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Richard Howells: LinkedIn, 
SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn  
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!

This week, we welcomed Sachin Vijayan from Westernacher, who explained how AI, agents, and real-time sensing are driving the shift toward self-healing supply chains and why humans will remain accountable.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 In this episode, Sachin Vijayan of Westernacher joins us to discuss the rise of the self-healing supply chain. We explore how AI agents, sensing, automation, and real-time data can help supply chains respond to disruptions more quickly, while humans remain accountable for key decisions.
 
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Guest: Sachin Vijayan, Global Planning Lead, Westernacher Consulting   
Sachin Vijayan is an experienced supply chain transformation leader currently serving as the Global Planning Lead at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience in solutions architecture and consulting, he specializes in Digital Business Transformation, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and Demand Planning across diverse global industries.

Throughout his tenure at Westernacher, Sachin has held several key leadership positions, including the EU Regional Practice Lead and Solution Architect. He is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between complex business requirements and robust technical models, driving operational excellence and high-quality client delivery.

Sachin is known for his strategic approach to supply chain planning, helping organizations navigate modern market complexities through digital innovation and process optimization.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  

Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP’s digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.  
 
She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  

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Show Links:
What if your supply chain could heal itself? Read the article
 
Supply Chain Management:  
SAP Supply Chain Management 
SAP Insights: Supply Chain       

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Sachin Vijayan: LinkedIn
Richard Howells: LinkedIn, 
Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn      
SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn   
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:
 
00:00:00: Intro
00:01:07: Guest Introductions
00:01:44: What does “self-healing supply chain” mean in practice
00:04:37: Core capabilities needed before a supply chain can self-heal
00:07:50: The role of AI in enabling self-healing operations
00:12:27: How humans and AI should work together
00:17:33: What the planner of the future will do differently
00:22:12: Where self-healing is already happening today
00:26:17: What is the Future of Supply Chain?
00:27:20: Outro

In this episode, we go behind the scenes at Lufthansa Technik with Lena Kaehler. We discuss how they deliver aviation spare parts fast, adapt to trade changes, and aim for smarter AI and CO2 neutrality.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠

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On this episode, Lena Kaehler, Senior Director of Component Logistics, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Lufthansa Technik’s global aviation spare-parts network. We break down how their team delivers speed and reliability to avoid AOG (Aircraft on Ground) situations, while juggling strict safety regulations, airport access challenges, and an incredible variety of parts, including hazardous and high-value items.

Discover how Lufthansa Technik supports around 800 airlines and manages a million shipments every year. Hear about their $2.3B pooled inventory, powered by a blend of proprietary systems, AI, and expert oversight.

Lena also shares how they’re adapting to shifting tariffs and trade rules, tackling crisis management, and optimizing transport networks. Plus: their vision for the future: smarter AI, ongoing trade volatility, and a push for CO2 neutrality.

This is a must-hear episode if you want to get more insights from Lufthansa Technik.

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Guest: Lena Kaehler, Senior Director Component Logistics, Transportation & Sales at Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS).
Lena Kaehler is Senior Director Component Logistics, Transportation & Sales at Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS). With more than 20 years of experience in aviation, she has held roles across spare parts supply, base maintenance, airline flight operations, and logistics. In her current position, Lena is responsible for Lufthansa Technik’s global transportation network, holistic logistics solutions for the component business, and sales activities for LTLS customers worldwide. She studied industrial engineering and is passionate about the international, connecting nature of aviation.

Host 1: Sin To, SAP

Sin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP

Oyku Ilgar has been working in the digital supply chain area at SAP since 2017. As a marketer and blogger, she creates written and visual marketing content about ERP and Supply Chain solutions and focuses on the topics of business trends, IoT, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.

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Show Links:
SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Lena Kaehler:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-kähler-944659146/
 
Sin To: 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to
 
Oyku Ilgar: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oykuilgar/
 
SAP Digital Supply Chain:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:
 
00:00:22 Podcast Welcome
00:01:20 Meet Lena Kaehler
00:02:34 Aviation Logistics Challenges
00:06:22 Scale of Global Network
00:09:37 Pooling and Stock Planning
00:12:46 Tariffs and Customs Volatility
00:17:11 AI and Digitization Reality
00:19:29 Repair Cycle and AOG Urgency
00:22:26 Transport Network Operations
00:26:55 Future of Supply Chain
00:29:12 Wrap Up and Thanks

Discover industrial AI at Hannover Messe with SAP’s Matthias Deindl, covering embodied AI, productivity-boosting agents, and demos like ginger-shot packaging, digital twins, warehouse robots and partner integrations.

Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode explores industrial AI at Hannover Messe (20–24 April) with SAP’s Matthias Deindl. Key topics include embodied AI (robots in production, logistics, asset management) and AI agents that enhance productivity and reduce errors. The SAP booth at HMI features a ginger-shot packaging demonstrator, digital twins, humanoid warehouse handling, CNC machining, and partner integrations.

Matthias emphasises the importance of accurate, timely data, using SAP Business Data Cloud to enable autonomous tasks like AI-assisted tendering and robot-led inspections. The SAP booth at HMI features a ginger-shot packaging demonstrator, digital twins, humanoid warehouse handling, CNC machining, and partner integrations.

The episode envisions seamless disturbance response, improved productivity for an ageing workforce, and stronger human–AI collaboration.
 
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Guest: Matthias Deindl
Matthias Deindl is a digital transformation leader focused on discrete industries and supply chains, with more than 17 years of leadership in dynamic, cross-functional environments. At SAP, he currently leads end-to-end product management for Discrete Industries. Previously, he headed supply chain management initiatives across the global SAP Experience Centers network and oversaw the SAP S.Factory Walldorf, helping customers in process and discrete industries accelerate their digital transformation. Before joining SAP, Matthias served as a Group Leader and Product Owner in a corporate IoT startup at Bosch and worked as an Innovation Manager in Corporate Logistics. Earlier in his career, he was a Project Lead and Head of Department in R&D at RWTH Aachen. He has collaborated with customers across automotive, aviation, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, and logistics. Matthias holds a Diplom in industrial engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen.

Host 1: Richard Howells

⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP’s ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.

Host 2: Sin To

Sin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.

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Show Links:
SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm
 
Visit us at Hannover Messe (HMI): Hall 15, Booth F08

Follow Us on Social Media : 
Matthias Deindl:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdeindl/  
 
Richard Howells:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells
 
Sin To: 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208
 
SAP Digital Supply Chain:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/
 
Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 
 
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Chapters:
 
00:00:00 Vision for AI Supply Chains
00:01:51 Meet Matthias and Industrial AI Today
00:02:14 Two AI Tracks Robots and Assistants
00:03:30 Data Foundations and Business Data Cloud
00:05:04 Deployment Challenges and Quick Win Use Cases
00:06:46 Embodied AI Inspection Robots
00:09:51 Resilience Roadmap Transparency to Agents
00:12:25 Human Machine Collaboration at the SAP Booth
00:15:41 Ecosystems and Partner Integration
00:19:17 Closing and How to Find SAP at Hannover Messe