Scott Jennings of Anaplan talks about retail inventory optimization, planning challenges, AI & how Anaplan enables retailers to sell more and carry less.

[03.37] An introduction to Scott, his background, and experience in the industry.

"Siloes are present functionally across different pieces of the business, whether it's merchandise, supply chain or finance. But they're also persistent inside the systems that support those different groups – and that's where it gets tricky."

[05.53] An overview of Anaplan and what they do.

[06.53] How retail planning has historically worked, and the limitations of that approach.

"Retail suffers from siloed planning, disconnected processes and latent decision-making, which leads to buying the wrong inventory and having the wrong inventory at the wrong place at the wrong time, with little ability to adjust based on market feedback."

[09.58] Why retail planning is arguably more complex than CPG or consumer goods supply chain planning.

"Retail is detail."

[12.55] How challenges and limitations have impacted the industry, particularly in light of additional external factors like increasing customer demand.

"Getting ahead is important. But being able to react in an agile way, in season, is also extremely important. Retailers have fallen behind because that demand signal is all over the place."

[16.14] From data to specificity, the foundations needed for retailers considering AI solutions, and the problem of 'testing fatigue.'

"People are sick of testing and learning."

[22.25] How retail planning technology will continue to evolve over the next 12 to 24 months.

[24.28] Scott's advice for retailers looking to implement AI in their planning and ensure successful implementations.

"It starts with the ROI you're looking to drive… If you can't define the ROI: skip it."

[28.39] The biggest opportunities for retailers embracing evolving technology and a new approach to retail planning.

[30.08] How Anaplan Intelligence and its retail engine enables retailers to harness the power of AI to plan at a granular level not possible before, and the importance of hyper-localization.

[33.01] How Anaplan focuses on retail-specific best practices to achieve higher forecast accuracy and boost sell-through rates for their customers, ultimately helping them sell more and carry less.

[34.37] What Anaplan is focusing on for 2026.

Head over to Anaplan's website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Anaplan and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Anaplan, listen to Emily Nicholls talk about how integrated business planning helps automotive OEMs navigate EV growth on episode 499: Navigating the EV Revolution, with Anaplan.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Megan Rudolph talks about her career journey; developing a team through hypergrowth; the challenges & opportunities for parcel in 2026; & finding inspiration.

[02.15] An introduction to Megan and Saddle Creek Logistics Services.

[03.00] Megan's early career dream of sports journalism, how graduating during the recession led her to take a sales job at UPS, and what she found so fascinating about logistics.

"There was a great structure. I worked under multiple female leaders – some of the people that probably don't even know how much they mentored me still impact me today."

[05.31] How having the opportunity to wear many different hats helped Megan find her niche, what she learned from her time working for both UPS and DHL, and the experience that led her to discover the power of authenticity.

[10.36] A day in Megan's life as the regional senior director of parcel operations at Saddle Creek Logistics Services.

"There was an opportunity for me to delegate more, and that was tough for me… But, as the team grew, bringing in people I could trust really got me away from 12 meetings a day, and I got a more balanced workload... My team manages up very well, and I'm thankful for that!"

[13.07] How Megan successfully grew her department through 'hypergrowth,' and her advice for other leaders looking to supercharge their own teams in 2026.

"One of the best things that served me was hiring a diverse group of people that balanced my skillset. I'm pretty risk averse, data-centric, I want to have all the questions solved before we even hit go. So I needed individuals that were great at solving while in action…. Don't hire people that think like you."

[16.00] Megan's perspective on the parcel industry, and the big challenges and opportunities she's thinking about for 2026.

"Cost continues to increase year over year, for us and our clients. So the only way to really drive savings is through optimization."

[19.26] What Megan loves about the industry.

[21.01] Megan's experience as a woman in the industry, how she learned to trust her instincts and speak up, and why she's so passionate about starting conversations and opening up perspectives.

[26.17] What being an industry trailblazer means to Megan, and how she's using it to empower others.

[28.05] Megan's biggest inspirations in her life and career.

[29.56] The future for Megan.

You can connect with Megan over on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more industry trailblazers, check out 503: Women In Supply Chain™, Andrea Morgan-VanDome, 484: Women In Supply Chain™, Saskia Van Gendt or 470: Women In Supply Chain™, Melodie Van Der Baan.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.

Jennie Malafarina talks about her career journey; collaboration & community; building businesses; & turning marketing from a cost center into a revenue driver.

[02.30] An introduction to Jennie and her businesses Virago Marketing and FR8MVMT.

[05.03] Why Jennie pursued a degree in communications, and how having three kids under five during her final year at university led her to a marketing career.

"Communication, psychology and marketing all tied together… it's a passion for understanding why people do what they do."

[07.55] Why Jennie moved from PR to digital marketing, her passion for tracking and measuring results, and what she loves about agency life.

[11.46] How Jennie came to understand the importance of logistics, and how it impacts the consumer.

"It's impactful – this industry makes the world go round. If we're not optimizing movement or getting just in time shipments, our shelves are empty and our costs are higher."

[12.40] What marketing looks like for supply chain right now, the importance of personal branding, and the biggest changes happening in supply chain marketing, from video to AI.

"People don't connect with brands – they connect with people."

[17.31] Why organizations need to start thinking about marketing as a revenue driver not a cost center, and why it's crucial to understand your goals and KPIs.

[19.40] Why it's so important to break down industry siloes to bring all areas of the community together, and how Jennie is keeping those conversations going through FR8MVMT.

[22.34] The new businesses Jennie has in development, and how she achieves her version of balance.

"I do the things that light me up!"

[26.49] How Jennie's experience as a veteran informs her leadership and gave her the confidence to succeed.

"I learned to earn my spot… So, going into my career, I never feared that I was a meek woman that can't talk – I own it."

[28.46] The increasing number of women in supply chain, and how we can bring more women into the industry.

[30.38] What winning an industry trailblazer award means to Jennie.

"It means that I'm doing something meaningful."

[31.09] The future for Jennie.

You can connect with Jennie over on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear from more women in marketing and communications, check out 425: Women In Supply Chain™, Josephine Coombe, 245: Women In Supply Chain™, Marina Mayer or 287: Women In Supply Chain™, Jolene Peixoto.

Check out our other podcasts HERE.