Operations Playbook: Building Decision-Centric Supply Chains in 2026
Global supply chains are under pressure. Geopolitics, rising costs, shifting customer expectations, climate shocks, and ongoing disruption have turned stability into the exception, not the rule. The upside: the last three years made automation and AI mainstream, moving operations from planning-heavy to decision-centric.
This article previews a 90-minute session at the 30th annual ARC Advisory Group Leadership Forum focused on practical moves operations leaders can use now. You'll hear from a panel of operators and a featured presentation by the Vice President of Global Supply Chain at Avantor, a Fortune 500 life sciences company managing one of the sector's most complex networks.
Session Details
When: Tuesday, February 10, 4:00 pm (90 minutes)
Where: Track 4 (Oceans 11)
To submit a question or propose a topic in advance, email: gsimon@arcweb.com
What We'll Tackle
- Using AI and decision intelligence to tighten forecasting and S&OP.
- Building supplier networks that absorb shocks without cascading delays.
- Optimizing logistics and execution for speed, cost, and service.
- Cutting waste with smarter procurement and inventory policies.
- Preparing the workforce for fast-moving tech and new operating models.
Why This Matters for Operations
Disruption isn't a one-off event anymore. Treat it as a baseline and build systems that sense change and decide fast.
If you run distribution, planning, or manufacturing, this session is built to shorten the loop between signal and action. Expect practical approaches you can test in weeks, not quarters.
Featured Companies
Aera Technology
Aera provides a decision intelligence platform that watches demand, supply, and operations signals, then recommends or executes actions in near real time. The goal: reduce waste and cycle time by shifting teams from manual planning to always-on decisions.
Avantor
Avantor supports biopharma, healthcare, education, government, and advanced tech across 180+ countries. Its network delivers high-purity chemicals, lab essentials, and specialized equipment with strong analytics and logistics discipline supporting both R&D and large-scale manufacturing.
Datex
Datex offers a task-centric WMS for 3PLs that captures activity to curb revenue leakage, boost accuracy, and meet compliance requirements (FDA, DSCSA, GxP). Built on a low-code studio, it lets ops teams adjust workflows without custom builds.
Open Sky Group
Open Sky Group implements and optimizes supply chain execution systems using a no-modifications philosophy and agile playbook. The focus is faster deployment, cleaner upgrades, and better real-time visibility across distribution.
Practical Moves You Can Apply
- Run weekly "forecast friction" reviews: compare AI forecasts vs. human overrides and close the gap with policy changes.
- Set minimum viable dual-sourcing: target your top 20 SKUs by revenue risk and enforce 70/30 supply splits.
- Create a 90-day buffer map: align buffer stock with service classes and lead-time volatility, not averages.
- Instrument your DC: measure pick, pack, and ship exceptions automatically; tie fixes to SOP updates within 30 days.
- Stand up an "automation council": ops + IT + finance meet biweekly to prioritize use cases with fast payback.
Preparing Your Team
Upskilling is no longer optional. Every planner, buyer, and warehouse lead needs fluency with AI-driven workflows, exception management, and data quality basics.
If you need a starting point, explore role-based AI learning paths that map to operations work. Browse courses by job to scope training for planners, buyers, and logistics leads.
Useful References
- Global Supply Chain Pressure Index for a macro view of stress and trend direction.
- MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics research for evidence-based practices on resilience and operations.
Join the Session
ARC Advisory Group Leadership Forum
Tuesday, February 10, 4:00 pm - Track 4 (Oceans 11)
Want your question addressed live? Send it ahead to: gsimon@arcweb.com
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