Jonathan Colehower , Global Supply Chain Strategy Practice Lead at UST , on how adopting technology can increase visibility and resilience in the supply chain
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Jonathan Colehower , Global Supply Chain Strategy Practice Lead at UST , on how adopting technology can increase visibility and resilience in the supply chain
Sexy is a word you don ’ t often associate with supply chain , even from the most ardent devotee of the industry . But if the last two years have taught us anything , it ’ s that things change – often with unexpected consequences .
“ I ' ve been in supply chain for 25 years and it ' s never been sexier than it is right now ,” says Jonathan Colehower , Global Supply Chain Strategy Practice Lead at UST .
“ Everybody wants to talk about it , so I think it ' s up to people like me to say great , let ' s make sure we don ' t stop this conversation .” Colehower will be the first to admit that if you ’ ve never heard of UST and don ’ t know “ the best-kept secret in IT ”, you ’ re not alone . He was in a similar position when a recruiter called him in 2021 to discuss joining the global IT service provider after a career working for leading consulting firms Accenture and McKinsey .
Despite its low profile , UST has been established for more than 20 years , has a billion-dollar-plus valuation and employs some 28,000 experts worldwide .
“ I have spent my entire career in supply chain management either into one or two areas in management consulting or in technology , “ explains Colehower . “ I spent seven years with Accenture in the supply chain strategy practice , and I also spent time at McKinsey & Company doing supply chain and operations strategy formulation . I also spent about five years at Oracle running the supply chain applications line of business and , most recently , was the chief marketing officer at Manhattan Associates .”
It ’ s an impressive track record , so what made Colehower take the plunge and decide to move to UST ? Like so many consultants who are leaving the industry , Colehower wanted to be more involved in an organisation and have the chance to implement the ideas he came up with . With a family to consider , it was also a challenge having clients around the world – at one time spread across London , Hong Kong , Johannesburg and Brazil .
“ I ' ve always wanted to build and manage a supply chain management practice , and so when UST came along I thought ‘ wow !’ – maybe this is my opportunity ,” he says . supplychaindigital . com 27