The Paradox of Cross-Functional Collaboration in Supply Chain, Speaker Willis Weirich EVP & Chief Supply Chain Officer, SRS Distribution

Supply chain changed dramatically in the minds of organizations, executives, and the consumer in 2020.  With the exception of a few supply chain-centric organizations, internal engagement on supply chain was largely rooted in operational consistency and a token annual BOD update.  That completely changed for a period of time during and after COVID.  Once a function focused on cost optimization, efficiency, and compensating for upstream and downstream flow impacts, quickly emerged as a core capability to maximize unprecedented growth and consumption.  As supply chain disruptions subsided and all subsequent impacts normalized, organizations and their executive leaders have pivoted back to traditional areas of focus.  It poses the question of what does supply chain collaboration look like going forward in an organization with scars just forming on the wounds of a recent past.  The conversation will focus on how to sustain supply chain as a core enabler of an organization while equally recognizing that the focus rightly so must pivot back to an organization’s core product/service.  The discussion will provide insights into how to balance visibility, engagement, and equitable partnership going forward by leveraging learnings and insights from an unprecedented moment in history.  The paradox of cross-functional collaboration in supply chain is to not let history repeat itself.

Willis Weirich joined SRS Distribution (SRS) and Heritage Family of Companies (Heritage) in 2022 and currently serves as EVP & Chief Supply Chain Officer.
Willis is responsible for a variety of functions captured within SRS and Heritage’s supply chain. This includes supplier relations, inventory management, pricing, fleet management, logistics, distribution, data and analytics, and safety. As a member of the executive team, he is instrumental in guiding strategy that delivers profitable and sustainable growth and building scale with best-in-class operations in every function. Prior to joining SRS/Heritage, Willis served as Executive Vice President, Group Operations & Chief Supply Chain Officer for Neiman Marcus Group (NMG). Willis led NMG’s, supply chain and global logistics, enterprise applications, loss prevention, customer care, facilities and engineering, and photo studio operations. Prior to NMG, Willis directed both international logistics and domestic transportation across multiple distribution networks at Target Corporation. Before Target, Willis worked at Airgas, inc.

Networking and NTX ASCM hosted beer/wine bar begins at 5:30 PM
Dinner service and announcements at 6:30 PM
Speaker presentation at 7 PM
Closing Remarks at 8 PM

Menu

Mandarin Orange Salad: mixed greens, frosted pecan, shaved parmesan, dried cranberry, lemon vinaigrette
Slow Roasted Chimichurri Beef
Brown Butter Whipped Potatoes
Crispy Pomegranate Brussels Sprouts
Assorted Artisan dinner rolls
Iced Water, Iced Tea, Regular and Decaf Coffee