FIVE MINUTES WITH ...
MICHAEL CIATTO
As CEO of Supply Chain at Genpact , Michael Ciatto delivers business transformation and operational excellence for 200 companies annually
Q . TELL US A LITTLE OF GENPACT AND YOUR ROLE THERE
» Genpact grew out of GE , originating as an internal consultancy . Since those early days in 1997 , we ’ ve grown into an organisation that drives business performance through the integration of data , technology , and AI . Our team comprises strategic consultants and more than 2,000 data scientists and 20,000 technologists . We focus on providing services across the business functions of procurement , supply chain , sales and risk & compliance . As CEO of Supply Chain , I deliver business transformation and operational excellence for 200 companies annually . The team consists of 10,000 domain experts and practitioners .
Q . WHAT ’ S TODAY ’ S BIGGEST SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGE ?
» Despite concerns such as inflation , recession and geopolitical tension , the most common thing I hear from clients is the lack of available talent . The evolution to digital operations , accelerated by COVID-19 , has combined with volatility to break operating models . This has pushed workers to unsustainable hours and has changed the type of talent required to excel in a technology enabled , datadriven world .
As well as challenges around talent , our customers are also struggling with : consistency of supplier performance ; a disconnect between planning and execution ; poor-quality data ; and a lack of the right tools to manage volatility in an agile , yet informed manner .
Q . HOW IMPORTANT IS SUPPLIER RELATIONS MANAGEMENT ?
» Very . We ’ ve doubled down on our supplier relationship management ( SRM ) offering . COVID-19 , geopolitical tensions , labour shortages , port blockages , and regulatory change around ESG have forced companies to rethink relationship structures with suppliers . Managing through transactional procurement processes is no longer viable . Understanding supplier performance – and driving a digitally connected planning solution through multiple tiers of suppliers – is now essential . This provides the visibility required to operate with agility .
Q . WHAT ROLE DOES SUPPLY CHAIN PLANNING HAVE IN TODAY ’ S WORLD ?
» Over the past two years , more companies are extending supply chain planning upstream ( SCP ) – through customer collaboration and demand shaping – and downstream , via the supplier base . More importantly , the link between Supply SCP and execution has never been more critical . Businesses must know a plan is operationally viable , and that changes in execution are reflected in the plan . Without that connection , faith in the plan can easily be
20 December 2022