Vishwanath Krishnamoorthy

Vishwanath Krishnamoorthy, AVP, Global Logistics,  Planning, Process and Optimisation at PriceSmart is well versed in all things supply chain, even making the top 50 list of professionals in the industry by OnConferences in 2024.

Vishwanath's journey to PriceSmart was a strategic one, beginning with consultancy roles at SCA Technologies, CDC Software (now Aptean), and Chainalytics (now NTT Data).

During this time, he concentrated on designing and optimising supply chains across diverse industries and sectors. His experience honed his skills in both strategic and tactical planning  as well as advanced analytics, leading initiatives that resulted in financial benefits.

He later moved to the dynamic world of fashion with LBrands and then finally to Chewy. Here he was able to build high performance teams and manage impactful initiatives focusing on improving operational performance and achieved substantial cost savings.

"Joining PriceSmart was a natural progression, aligning with my commitment to leveraging comprehensive supply chain design and analytics,” he says.

Focus is now on applying his extensive knowledge and strategic vision to advance the goals of operational efficiency and superior member satisfaction.

Vishwanath highlighted the experience gained at Chainalytics and LBrands, where designing and delivering comprehensive supply chain solutions played a key role in shaping the approach to supply chain design and optimisation

Vishwanath developed advanced models and led network strategy expansions into new global markets. This experience was invaluable in building and managing cross-functional teams globally and driving strategic initiatives.

Integrating supply chain at organisations

At PriceSmart he aligns strategies with broader business objectives to make it a strategic enabler of growth – fostering strong collaboration across departments.

It is here where he rolls up his sleeves and gets to work: "I utilise industry best practices and explore innovative approaches to continuously enhance our supply chain processes.

"Advanced technology plays a crucial role here, as I leverage network optimisation models and real-time dashboards to provide actionable insights that support informed decision-making."

The role of a supply chain leader is more important than ever. From driving sustainability goals to making it as resilient as possible, prepared to shift at a moment's notice. Vishwanath highlights resilience and adaptability in the face of constant change as the most vital role of these leaders today.

This involves anticipating potential disruptions, leveraging technology for near real-time decision-making and fostering strong collaboration across all functions.

There is again that cry for sustainability, which Vishwanath says must be a priority to drive long-term value while keeping a clear focus on meeting the evolving needs of their members and the business.

"Integrating supply chain design, modelling and analytics allows organisations to be proactive rather than reactive," he adds.

"By employing these tools, supply chain leaders can anticipate issues, optimise processes and create strategies that drive efficiencies and mitigate risks before they impact operations."

The biggest challenge facing the supply chain

Supply chains face a range of challenges. For Vishwanath, the biggest is "navigating the complexity of global disruptions while maintaining flexibility and responsiveness”.

Highlighting the many factors being presented range from geopolitical tensions, fluctuating demand, supply shortages and rapid technological advancements, supply chains need to be more adaptive than ever.

But Vishwanath stresses that what separates a good supply chain from a great one, is the ability to be proactive, to anticipate and mitigate these risks.

"Ensuring that supply chain strategies align with broader business goals requires strong collaboration across departments—from procurement and sales to finance,” he adds.

“This alignment is crucial for making informed decisions that balance cost, efficiency and service levels."

Vishwanath advises anyone pursuing a career in supply chain optimisation to cultivate a deep understanding of both the technical and strategic aspects of the field. 

“It's not enough to have mastery over analytics, modelling and optimisation techniques: you must also understand how these tools align with broader business goals. Think of yourself as a bridge between data and decision-making, where your insights can drive significant value.”

Read the full report HERE

**************

Make sure you check out the latest edition of Procurement Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE 2024

**************

Procurement Magazine is a BizClik brand