PACE Executive Series Report #2

Supply Chain Capabilities in Retail Ag: Status Quo or Innovative Integration?

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Supply Chain Capabilities in Retail Ag: Status Quo or Innovative Integration?

Date: December 14th

Time: 2:00pm CT

The past 35 years have been relatively stable (the Cold War ended, global trade increased and both major U.S. political parties signed trade agreements). In this relatively stable world with relatively stable global growth, supply chain management – at least in most of the retail ag space – is generally tasked with providing superior customer service at the lowest possible cost. These tasks create internal tensions between procurement, operations, sales, and finance.

At the same time, concepts such as “just-in-time” (JIT) buzzed through corporations. Today, our supply chains are full (literally), and an argument can be made that our world is somewhat less stable. The Covid-19 pandemic surfaced many supply chain challenges that were likely already on the horizon.

Now, leadership and supply chain managers must ask: “Do current supply chain capabilities align if more disruption and instability lie ahead?” If not, can we create resilient, agile, and flexible supply chains that maintain high levels of customer service while controlling cost?

Do current supply chain capabilities align if more disruption and instability lie ahead?

Meet the Expert

Speakers

Bobby Martens
Professor of Economics and Associate Professor of Economics, Iowa Institute of Cooperatives

Bobby Martens is the Iowa Institute of Cooperatives Endowed Professor of Economics and Associate Professor of Economics. Previous to joining the Economics Department, Martens spent 15 years as an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management in the Ivy College of Business, also at Iowa State University. Bobby earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University and MS and BS degrees in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University. Martens’ current position is 55 percent extension, focusing on cooperatives and the supply chain in which they operate (agriculture and food supply chains).

While in the Ivy College of Business, Martens served at the academic director for the Ivy Supply Chain Forum. Engaged scholarship – working directly with companies to produce industry-relevant academic scholarship – is a central theme in his research. Examples of research includes supply chain design, transportation rates and driver utilization, grain traceability, and a decision tool for small-scale African seed entrepreneurs. Martens published articles in top supply chain journals such as Decision Sciences Journal and Journal of Business Logistics and in Ag-Business journals such as the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

In addition to his work in Extension, he is involved in Iowa State University’s Masters in Seed Business and Technology program and is a member of the Iowa State University Executive MBA (focused on agriculture, food and biosystems) teaching team. Prior to earning his Ph.D., Martens worked as an account manager at Schneider Logistics and in product management at the Case Corporation. Bobby enjoys spending time with his wife and four children and operating a small farm near Ames.

LinkedIn Profile

When is the Event

December 14th • 2:00 pm CT

December 14th, 2021

CropLife Group Editor Paul Schrimpf talks about the key issues and the road ahead for retailers with Bobby Martens, associate professor and supply chain expert at Iowa State University.

Time: 2:00pm CT

Length: 1:15hr

During the past 35 years of relative global stability, supply chain management in the retail ag space sought to provide superior customer service at the lowest possible cost. The Covid-19 pandemic surfaced many supply chain challenges that were likely already on the horizon, and our world is arguably less stable. Now, leadership and supply chain managers must ask if current supply chain capabilities align with potentially new global realities, and if not, can they create resilient and agile supply chains while maintaining acceptable levels of customer service and costs?

Join the discussion with industry leaders on November 16 and learn more about his emerging topic.

Time: 2:00pm CT

Length: 1:15hr

December 14th

What is the PACE Executive Series

Building Blocks for a New Ag Value Chain

From emerging and evolving consumer preferences downstream to changing farmer demands upstream, the agriculture value chain is undergoing rapid transformation.

The PACE Executive Forum is just the latest project to emerge from the CropLife’s PACE Initiative.

Since 1994, CropLife has built collaborative projects and programs under the PACE banner with input from ag retailers and leading industry experts from every segment of the agriculture value chain.

CropLife Media will preside over a series of online learning and special reports as part of its PACE Executive Series. Visit the website today or register to see all the upcoming series sessions and past content.