The Supply Chain Group finds and enhances the synergies that should exist between the functional areas and links across the breadth of your supply chain. We are a firm consisting of senior level consultants that help companies build needed capabilities, matched to a well designed supply chain, from concept through design to implementation.
- Core team formerly held senior positions with Deloitte, SAP, IBM, PWC, and AT Kearney
- We have an average of 20 years of supply chain consulting experience
Jeff Kazanow, CPSC – Partner
Supply Chain Improvement, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain IT Solutions
Jeff offers 25 years of senior logistics and detailed improvement expertise across the retail and distribution industry sectors. He utilizes strong methodologies and best practices and has had prior consulting roles with AT Kearney, SAP, and Deloitte. His areas of expertise include strategic development and implementation of supply chain networks, sales networks, transportation, strategic sourcing, operations improvement, and accelerated IT project implementations. Jeff has supported multiple WMS and TMS projects. Throughout his career he has defined and implemented cost saving and service enhancing business solutions. Jeff is Six Sigma certified and holds an MBA in Materials and Logistics Management from Michigan State University.
Jonathan Kates – Partner
Supply Chain Transformation, SC Strategy, Supply Chain IT Solutions
Jonathan has years of experience in supply chain and business transformation; defining direction, developing and translating client goals, building consensus, and, coaching staff at all levels and from differing cultures to deliver results. Jonathan is a recognized as a consultant with a predisposition toward action. His leadership, communication, technical expertise, and problem-solving capabilities, draw on deep industry best practice knowledge and supply chain, operations, and technology project experience to drive client initiatives. Focus areas comprise: strategy, financial modeling, organizational change, supply chain operations, process transformation, lean, strategic sourcing, business turnarounds, and IT and Operations implementations. Prior to joining our group he has had consulting roles for IBM, PWC, and Rath & Strong and was a Retail Grocery Supply Chain executive. Jonathan is an author on supply chain topics, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and a graduate of McGill University
Michele Pluta – Vice President – International
Import/Export Strategies, Customs Compliance, Training
Michele has 30 years of International Logistics and Trade Compliance expertise, covering both import and export. She is a Licensed Customs Broker in addition to a Certified Customs Specialist and Certified Export Specialist. In her work with several major retailers and International Freight Forwarders she has developed and implemented several Foreign Trade Zones, earned CTPAT Certifications and validations for global operations, developed customs compliance processes, manuals and audit procedures, and numerous industry technology implementations. She has developed and conducted in-house import/export compliance as well as CTPAT/TSA/HAZMAT training for many companies and trade associations. She routinely works with U.S. Customs & Border Protection and the Bureau of Industry and Security, on behalf of clients. She has developed many compliance manuals and published numerous white papers. Michele holds Masters Degrees in Global Management and Adult Training and Education.