The Universal Product Code (UPC) has powered retail for 50 years, but it was never designed to handle the data demands of today's complex supply chains and consumer expectations.

In this episode, Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl sit down with Ned Mears, Senior Director of Global Standards at GS1 US, to explore how 2D barcodes will revolutionize the retail landscape, starting with Sunrise 2027. Ned explains how 2D barcodes go beyond simple price lookups, enabling enhanced traceability, connected packaging, and compliance with future regulations. He also offers practical advice on barcode placement, point-of-sale readiness, and why delaying action increases risk.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How 2D barcodes change what's possible at checkout and across the supply chain

• What brands and retailers need to do now to prepare for Sunrise 2027

• How early planning reduces risk, cost, and operational disruption

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain
(04:01) How 2D barcodes differ from traditional UPCs
(07:41) Measuring industry progress toward Sunrise 2027
(12:46) How brands can prepare to implement 2D barcodes
(19:22) What retailers need to assess to be ready for 2D at the point of sale
(21:26) The risks of waiting until 2027 before preparing for 2D barcodes
(27:00) Ned's favorite tech

Connect with GS1 US:
Our website - www.gs1us.org
GS1 US on LinkedIn

Register now for this year's GS1 Connect and get an early bird discount of 10% when you register by March 31 at connect.gs1us.org.

Connect with the guest:
Ned Mears on LinkedIn

A hot sauce brand doesn't scale on taste alone. It scales on consistency, traceability, and trust.

Matt Pittaluga, Co-Founder of Hank Sauce, joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to share how a college project became a product sold in more than 5,000 stores. He breaks down the early hustle, the jump into retail, and what it takes to keep quality tight as demand grows.

You'll also hear how Hank Sauce approaches traceability through product codes to track ingredients from batch creation to store shelves.

This episode is a replay of our conversation with Matt, brought back for anyone building, scaling, or supplying food brands.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Hank Sauce scaled its distribution to national retailers

• The importance of traceability in ensuring food safety and product quality

• Strategies for building networks to expand brand reach

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(01:34) The Hank Sauce story

(06:38) Grassroots marketing and early sales strategies

(13:34) Scaling up distribution to large retailers

(16:38) The importance of traceability and food safety

(19:51) Building a brand with a limited marketing budget

(23:43) Advice for new entrepreneurs

(31:22) Matt Pittaluga's favorite tech

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Register now for this year's GS1 Connect and get an early bird discount of 10% when you register by March 31 at connect.gs1us.org.

Connect with the guest:

Matt Pittaluga on LinkedIn

Check out Hank Sauce

In this episode, Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl sit down with Bob Czechowicz and Nick Latwis from the GS1 US Innovation Team. They discuss the most promising trends, the challenges businesses face when navigating new tech, and the critical role of pilots in testing the viability of these innovations. Gain actionable insights into how companies can successfully experiment with new technologies and drive meaningful change in their supply chains.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Key emerging technologies in supply chains

• How to use AI as a creative partner for innovation

• The indicators teams use to decide when a pilot is ready to scale
  
  

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain
(02:54) Emerging technologies in the next three to five years
(06:48) Using data to decide which trends matter
(16:00) How to design and conduct a pilot test
(19:52) Determining market readiness for new technology
(27:38) Nick & Bob's favorite tech

Connect with GS1 US:
Our website - www.gs1us.org
GS1 US on LinkedIn

Register now for this year's GS1 Connect and get an early bird discount of 10% when you register by March 31 at connect.gs1us.org.

Connect with the guests:
Nick Latwis on LinkedIn
Bob Czechowicz on LinkedIn

Resilience isn't just for small startups—it's vital for businesses of all sizes.

In this episode, Jonathan Biddle, author of Supply Chain for Startups, joins Reid Jackson to discuss how companies can build resilient supply chains using key metrics and smart strategies. Jonathan explains how early decisions about structure, visibility, and supplier engagement can set you up for long-term success.

This conversation offers a clear view of what it takes to build supply chain operations that can adapt as the business grows.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How process mapping uncovers weak points that limit supply chain stability

• Why consistent supplier communication strengthens visibility and reduces risk

• The early operational signals that indicate it's time to upgrade systems

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain
(04:07) Building resilience for early-stage supply chains
(06:37) Why supplier insight matters for managing risk
(09:41) Daily and weekly habits that improve operations
(14:36) Signals that current processes are no longer scalable
(20:06) Tools that support growing operations
(25:11) How AI can help small supply chain teams
(30:21) Jonathan's favorite tech

Connect with GS1 US:
Our website - www.gs1us.org
GS1 US on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by:

Aarongraphics and Wholechain

If you're interested in becoming or working with a GS1 US solution partner, please connect with us on LinkedIn or on our website.

Connect with the guests:
Jonathan Biddle on LinkedIn
Check out Jonathan's book, Supply Chain for Startups

Shoppers lose trust the moment they see that your data is inconsistent.

In this episode, Jon Gatrell of Loren Data Corp. joins Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to discuss why product information must stay consistent across every channel. Jon explains how aligned data reduces friction between partners, supports accurate inventory management, and strengthens the experience for buyers and internal teams.

This conversation shows how accurate product data becomes the thread that keeps every part of the supply chain working in sync.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The operational value of keeping product data consistent across channels

• The challenges that emerge when item information falls out of sync

• How accurate data protects customer trust

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain
(02:54) What customers expect from product data
(05:29) How inconsistent product information affects buying decisions
(07:37) The biggest data challenges supply chain teams face today
(12:55) What the industry is doing to improve data synchronization
(19:32) Data strategy shifts companies should prepare for next
(25:19) Jon's favorite tech

Connect with GS1 US:
Our website - www.gs1us.org
GS1 US on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by:

AccuGraphiX and LSPedia

If you're interested in becoming or working with a GS1 US solution partner, please connect with us on LinkedIn or on our website.

Connect with the guests:
Jon Gatrell on LinkedIn
Check out Loren Data

Behind every safe meal is someone who got the data right.

Brandon Ballew, Senior Product Information Analyst at Beaver Street Fisheries, joins hosts Liz Sertl and Reid Jackson to discuss how the seafood industry is preparing for FSMA Rule 204, and how GS1 standards like GLNs, GTINs, and 2D barcodes are helping ensure food safety from port to plate.

Brandon shares how his team uses data to improve visibility, partner collaboration, and customer confidence, proving that accurate and standardized information benefits everyone in the supply chain.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How GS1 standards support FSMA 204 traceability

• Why data quality impacts both compliance and customer trust

• How Beaver Street Fisheries uses GLNs to connect digital and physical supply chains
  
  

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(03:51) Preparing for FSMA 204 and data-driven traceability

(06:08) Lessons from SIMP and early adoption of seafood standards

(09:04) Creative uses of GLNs across operations

(12:31) Data synchronization with GS1 Data Hub and 1WorldSync

(15:34) The cost of inaccurate data in online ordering

(19:00) Educating trading partners about FSMA compliance

(22:11) The benefit of 2D barcodes for consumers

(26:37) Brandon's favorite technologies

Connect with GS1 US:
Our website - www.gs1us.org
GS1 US on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by:
Avery Dennison and Syndigo

If you're interested in becoming or working with a GS1 US solution partner, please connect with us on LinkedIn or on our website.

Connect with the guests:
Brandon Ballew on LinkedIn
Check out Beaver Street Fisheries

A single contamination can have serious consequences for vulnerable populations, such as students. Traceability is essential to ensure food safety from the farm to the school cafeteria.

In this episode, Jim White, President and Co-Founder of ENSESO4Food, and Candice Bevis, Farm Operations Manager at Spartanburg County School District 6, explain how digital traceability simplifies FSMA 204 compliance and strengthens confidence in the food supply chain.

They discuss how affordable technology and GS1 standards help small farms operate with the same precision as large suppliers, connecting farms, processors, and cafeterias for a safer food system.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to ensure accountability in food sourcing and delivery

• Why simplicity and affordability matter for technology adoption

• Ways schools are using visibility to improve food safety

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain
(04:22) How the Trakkey partnership began
(07:59) Connecting farms, processors, and schools
(12:33) How digital tools simplify compliance
(18:03) Teaching students where their food comes from
(20:56) Making food safety simpler for farmers
(23:31) Reducing waste and improving efficiency
(26:32) Jim and Candice's favorite tech

If you're interested in becoming or working with a GS1 US solution partner, please visit AccuGraphix's website.

Connect with GS1 US:
Our website - www.gs1us.org
GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guests:
Jim White on LinkedIn
Check out ENSESO4Food and Spartanburg County School District Six

Efficiency works when everything goes to plan. But as disruptions grow more frequent and complex, resilience and preparation are what set strong supply chains apart.

In this episode, logistics expert John Manners-Bell, founder and CEO of Transport Intelligence, joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to discuss what leaders need to know about supply chain risk, technology, and balance.

With over 40 years in the industry advising organizations like the World Economic Forum, the UN, and the European Commission, John shares hard-earned lessons from real-world crises and why efficiency is not enough.

Listeners will gain a sharper understanding of how to prepare for disruption, enhance visibility across their networks, and utilize AI and data to build more resilient operations.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to measure the cost of supply chain risk

• Why you need to prioritize resilience in supply chain strategy

• How AI helps logistics leaders anticipate risks and plan accordingly
  
  

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(04:14) Why supply chain risk is everyone's problem

(06:41) Balancing efficiency and resilience for long-term success

(11:07) Why inventory alone won't save your business

(12:51) How visibility and data transform modern supply chains

(16:24) Cyberattacks, paper backups, and recovery stories

(18:18) The rise of AI and automation in logistics

(22:12) Lessons from companies that built resilience

(25:57) The mindset every future-ready supply chain leader needs

Connect with GS1 US:
Our website - www.gs1us.org
GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guests:
John Manners-Bell on LinkedIn
Check out Transport Intelligence