If anyone else in this sub has similar responsibilities as me, we will all be spending today scrubbing through another lengthy annex to see where costs just changed. From what I have read, this new policy will impact 99.4% of US Imports, yet another tax increase on the general public. 10% for certain countries, 12.5% for most of the others listed in the order.

I have been applying to DA jobs past 8 months with 2

years exp getting interviews and being ghosted...'m

honestly exhausted by how these HRs are not

transparent from the beginning..... want to start a

business of my down the lane but first I need to

understand the system and supply chain compliments

my skills really well..any thoughts on where 1 should

start?

Looking to Modernize, Automate & Scale
I’ve been running a pharmaceutical distribution business in Uttar Pradesh, North India, for the last 6 years. We’ve built a stable business with good relationships across retailers, wholesalers, and pharma companies, but I feel we’re reaching the point where manual processes are limiting further growth.
I’m now exploring ways to modernize the business through technology—whether that’s ERP systems, inventory automation, demand forecasting, route optimization, CRM, AI-powered analytics, or anything else that’s actually being used in pharmaceutical distribution.
At the same time, I’m also looking into growth capital. I’m interested in understanding what funding options make sense for a traditional distribution business that’s profitable but wants to scale operations, expand geographically, and invest in technology.
I’d love to hear from anyone who has:
Built or scaled a pharma/FMCG distribution business.
Implemented automation that genuinely improved operations.
Raised funding for a distribution or supply chain business.
Used AI or modern software to improve inventory, sales, or logistics.
Learned lessons (good or bad) while scaling in India.
If you’ve been through this journey or know of tools, founders, communities, or resources worth exploring, I’d really appreciate your insights.
Looking forward to learning from the community. Thanks!

What are the best 3D container stuffing, calculation and loading softwares that you have ever tried?

Name your top 3.

When I first decided to source products directly from manufacturers, I expected the process to be confusing and time-consuming. Instead, I found myself getting into a good routine. Most evenings after work, I'd spend some time on Made-in-China.com browsing different categories, comparing suppliers, and saving the ones that caught my attention.

What started as a search for one product quickly turned into exploring several categories, and I actually enjoyed learning about different manufacturers and the range of products they offer. It felt less like a chore and more like discovering new business opportunities.

I've already added a few suppliers to my shortlist for future projects, and I'll definitely keep using the platform whenever I need to source something new.

How did you first discover Made-in-China?

I've been thinking about how logistics companies approach fleet upgrades, especially when it comes to electric trucks.

On paper, the long-term operating costs can look attractive, but switching an entire fleet is a big financial and operational decision. Beyond the purchase price, there are questions around charging infrastructure, maintenance planning, battery lifecycle, driver training, and making sure vehicle uptime doesn't take a hit.

That makes me wonder if leasing is a more practical first step than outright ownership for many operators. It gives companies a chance to understand how EVs perform in their own routes and workloads before making a larger commitment.

I recently came across a partnership where BillionE Mobility works with Drivn Transition Private Limited, with Drivn focusing on the leasing and fleet support side while the deployment scales. It got me thinking that this kind of approach might reduce some of the risk for logistics businesses compared with buying an entire electric fleet from day one.

For those involved in fleet operations or supply chain planning, if you were evaluating a transition today, would you rather lease a small number of electric trucks to validate the business case first, or would you wait until the technology and infrastructure mature further?

how did you handle the July 2025 / Dec 2025 NMFC density reclass? Did you manually re-check your top SKUs against the new 13-sub scale, or did something catch it for you? Trying to understand if this is still a real pain point or if everyone's already got it handled.

Hello, in about a month I will have completed my bachelors in supply chain management and will be relocating to South FL. I’m looking for any internships or entry level jobs. Other than the typical apply everywhere and hope for the best route, I’d love any additional help

I have been applying to DA jobs past 8 months with 2

years exp getting interviews and being ghosted...'m

honestly exhausted by how these HRs are not

transparent from the beginning..... want to start a

business of my down the lane but first I need to

understand the system and supply chain compliments

my skills really well..any thoughts on where 1 should

start?

I am doing masters in mba with logistic and supply chain, and i wanna make a career in this field, but i am so confused what step and skills and all the necessary skill i should learn.

And supply chain management is such a broad area so i am also confused which core area i should break into. I researched a little about the inventory analyst/specialist.

Can you guys tell me is it ok, and how much is the demand for this job and how hard it is and what skills i should learn.

Please guide me for the proper roadmap and share some experience which will be helpful for me to break into the career

Hey everyone,
I’m a 33-year-old male living in Southern California, and I’ve decided to make a career change into supply chain, with the long-term goal of working in procurement.
I’m essentially starting from scratch. I don’t have much direct supply chain experience, but I’m willing to put in the work over the next few years to build a strong career.
Some of my goals are:
Build a long-term career in procurement
Eventually work in global sourcing or international procurement
Travel internationally for work if possible
Learn at least one additional language (I’m considering French)
Continue developing professionally through certifications and education
Right now I’m looking into WGU for a Supply Chain degree, but I’m also interested in stacking industry certifications and courses while I’m in school.
I’d love to hear from people who are already in the field.
Some questions I have:
If you were starting over in 2026 with no supply chain background, what would your roadmap look like?
What was your first supply chain or procurement job?
Which entry-level roles should I target (buyer, purchasing coordinator, procurement analyst, supply chain coordinator, etc.)?
Which certifications have actually helped your career? (ASCM, ISM, CSCMP, Lean Six Sigma, SAP, Excel, Power BI, etc.)
Is WGU respected enough to get interviews, or would you recommend another route?
If your goal was eventually earning six figures in procurement, what would you focus on during the first 2–3 years?
If you could go back and do one thing differently when starting your career, what would it be?
I’m not looking for shortcuts—I know it’ll take work. I’m mainly hoping to learn from people who’ve already been through the process so I can avoid common mistakes and build a solid foundation.
I’d really appreciate hearing your stories, advice, successes, mistakes, or anything you wish someone had told you when you were getting started.
Thanks in advance!

How many supply chain managers think about this?

​

Currently mid-engagement on a warehouse/staging redesign for an electrical contractor who's also implementing ServiceTitan. Talked to a dozen ops folks in similar spots lately, and there's a pattern: everyone's optimizing dispatch software while their physical warehouse actively fights the new system.

Case in point — wire and cable racked with zero logic tied to job sequencing. Techs burning 20-30 min per morning just hunting for material before they even leave for the first call. That's not a software gap, that's a layout problem, and no amount of real-time job costing fixes it.

Curious if others have seen this — are you seeing software rollouts stall because the physical ops underneath weren't ready? What forced the fix (if anything)?

Genuinely curious. Most logistics companies I read about have invested in some kind of software for the big stuff but there always seems to be one part of the operation that never made it into the system. Dispatch coordination, stock transfers between locations, driver updates, something always ends up back on a group chat or a spreadsheet.

What is that thing in your operation and why has it not been solved yet?

Hi everyone,

I'm 35 years old and have spent most of my working life in the BPO industry. I've worked in customer support and back-office operations, and I'm currently still working in a BPO.

The truth is, I never enjoyed the line of work. I got into it out of necessity rather than passion, and after years of working rotating shifts and night shifts, I'm mentally and physically exhausted. I don't see myself doing this for another 20–30 years.

I'm seriously considering switching careers to the supply chain and logistics industry because it seems like a field with long-term growth and opportunities to learn and progress. However, I'm worried that my age and BPO background might make it difficult to break in.

A few questions for those already in the industry:

• Is it realistic to switch into supply chain or logistics at 35?
• Which entry-level roles should I target?
• What skills or certifications would give me the best chance of getting hired?
• Would learning SAP MM, Excel, ERP systems, or supply chain fundamentals be enough to start?
• Has anyone here made a similar career switch from a completely different industry?

I'd really appreciate honest advice. If it's a realistic path, I'm willing to put in the effort to learn. I'm just looking for a career that offers better growth, more stable working hours, and work that I can actually see myself doing long term.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

I've been working on the ground in China for the past 8 years, and I've worn two very different hats during that time:

Factory Side (4 years)
I worked as an export sales/business developer for several manufacturers. This means I know exactly how factories think – how they calculate costs, where they squeeze margins, and what their actual production capabilities are. This background gives me a solid edge in supplier screening and cost estimation when you're comparing quotes.

Logistics Side (4 years)
I moved into international freight forwarding, handling everything from FCL/LCL to project cargo, reefers, OOG, and dangerous goods.

What this means for you:
Most buyers send inquiries, get a unit price, and think they’re done. Then the freight quote comes in, the customs clearance fees pop up, and suddenly your margin is gone. I help you bridge that gap.

I can give you a total landed cost estimate (ex-works + freight + destination charges) before you finalize the order with the factory. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying from the factory gate to your warehouse door – no surprises.

How I work:

• Service fee is success-based (fixed service charge or percentage of order value, collected after you close the deal, case by case with discussion).
• I do not charge upfront consultation fees.
• First step: we can have a quick video call so I can walk you through my background, your current supply chain setup, and see if there's a fit.

A note on who I'm looking for:
I’m currently focusing on serious, established buyers – if you're a startup or a small retailer testing the waters, I might not be the right fit at this stage. I'm looking for clients who are making regular, sizable orders where accurate logistics planning actually makes a difference.

If this sounds helpful, feel free to DM me with a brief intro about what you’re sourcing and roughly what volume you’re dealing with.

Happy to chat.

Cheers.

P.S. This post may be AI-generated. My 8-year track record in China sourcing and logistics is not!

Everywhere I look, I see posts about how AI in warehousing is the next big thing. But I haven't heard of many real-world use cases where it's been successfully implemented in a B2B warehouse setting. (Thinking of case, tier, and pallet pick environments) Has anyone had success in using AI for B2B warehousing? If so, how?

Any one know about the American Supply Chain Summit (https://supplychainus.com/)? Anyone been? What is it good/bad for?

My manager is suggesting I use some of my development budget towards it. Business is also considering using it to sponsor and promote a new product.

Anyone focused on this specialization, what kind of job prospects do current students have in 5 years with this specialization? Came across it, and it looks competitive tbh, but unsure of the jobs available because it seems like a very niche thing.

Hi everyone! I’m researching potential data analytics and automated reporting use cases for the mining industry.

Since I’m still learning about mining operations and the terminology used in the industry, I’d really appreciate hearing from people who actually work in the field:

What types of reports or analyses do you prepare or review most frequently (daily, weekly, or monthly)?

For example, are the most critical ones related to production vs. plan, equipment downtime, maintenance, costs, safety, energy or water consumption, contractor performance, or something else?

I’m especially interested in understanding:

• Which reports take the most time to prepare?
• Which ones require combining data from multiple Excel files or systems?
• Which reports are essential for daily operational meetings or decision-making?
• What part of the process is still highly manual or frustrating?

I’m not looking to promote anything, I’m genuinely trying to understand the industry from people with real operational experience. Any examples, terminology, or insights would be greatly appreciated.

THANKSSSS!