Episodes

  • Monthly S&OP | Balancing and Executive Review: How to Stop Strategic Decisions Being Made on the Warehouse Floor | Ep. 24

    Monthly S&OP | Balancing and Executive Review: How to Stop Strategic Decisions Being Made on the Warehouse Floor | Ep. 24
    May 13 2026
    Most supply chain organisations can produce a demand plan.
    Many can build a supply plan.

    Where the wheels tend to come off is in the two weeks that follow, the balancing week, where you reconcile what the business wants with what it can actually produce, and the executive S&OP, where senior leaders are asked to commit to the trade-offs.
    Skip these two steps, and strategic decisions quietly slip to whoever shouts the loudest in the warehouse or the sales region. Keep them, and your planning starts connecting to your strategy.

    In this second installment of the S&OP MasterClass from Roima, Søren Hammer Pedersen sits down again with Benjamin Obling, COO of PERITO IBP, to walk through weeks three and four of the classical S&OP process.

    The conversation moves from practical visualisation tricks (a simple green, amber, red capacity grid will take you surprisingly far) to the more political work of getting C-level executives to give guidance instead of reactive orders.

    If you plan supply chains for a living, or you carry the CFO, CCO or CEO title and find yourself making scattered, one-off calls on inventory, service levels and market priorities, this episode will give you a clear mental model for how those decisions should be surfaced, framed and committed to inside a monthly rhythm.

    Chapters
    00:00 Cold open, the cost of skipping the balancing step
    01:23 Welcome to the S&OP MasterClass and recap of part one
    03:28 The four weeks of the S&OP process at a glance
    05:56 Why weeks three and four actually matter
    11:07 Visualising capacity, bottlenecks and stock projections
    18:01 Extending the footprint to include your suppliers
    20:23 Running the balancing meeting and handing over to sales
    22:23 Deciding what to mitigate now and what to escalate
    27:10 The purpose of the executive S&OP meeting
    29:01 How to motivate the C-level to show up
    35:16 Turning decisions into operational plans the same week
    37:58 The fifth step, adhering to the plan you just agreed
    42:07 Getting started without inventing the wheel

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
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    46 mins
  • Monthly S&OP | Get chaos or get the first weeks right | Ep. 23

    Monthly S&OP | Get chaos or get the first weeks right | Ep. 23
    Apr 15 2026
    Most companies know they need an S&OP process. Few have one that actually works.

    The gap between having the meetings and having a functioning integrated business plan is where most organisations quietly struggle, and where the biggest operational and commercial risks accumulate.

    In this episode of the S&OP MasterClass, Søren Hammer Pedersen sits down with Benjamin Obling – a practitioner with 16 years of focused S&OP experience across industries and organisations – to work through the first two weeks of a monthly S&OP cycle. Not the theory.
    The actual steps: who does what, when, with which tools, and what goes wrong when any of it is missing.

    Benjamin brings the perspective of someone who has seen both extremes up close: companies with sophisticated IBP tools and no process, and companies with well-structured processes and nothing to put in them. His argument is that neither works alone. The foundation of a reliable S&OP process is built in weeks one and two, in demand planning and supply planning, the engine room of the S&OP process.

    Get those two weeks right, and the rest of the cycle becomes a decision-making conversation grounded in data. Get them wrong, and you spend weeks three and four firefighting.

    This episode is the first in a two-part series. Today covers demand planning and supply planning. Part two will go into the balancing and executive S&OP stages.

    In This Episode
    • Why having an S&OP process without the right data tools, or the right tools without a process, produces equally poor results
    • The four main steps of a monthly S&OP cycle, and why skipping the first two guarantees chaos in the last two
    • The difference between minor and major forecast overrides and why most minor adjustments are a waste of time
    • Why inventory planning is a strategic decision disguised as a technical one and the risks of leaving it to a few specialists
    • How to run a supply-side MRP simulation before uploading your demand plan to the ERP system
    • The two non-negotiables for a high-functioning S&OP process: strong data tools, and clear process ownership
    Episode contents
    00:07 Recap: the four phases of S&OP
    08:49 Why balancing week matters — and why most companies skip it
    15:20 The "loudest voice wins" problem in demand prioritisation
    30:03 Simulating MRP before it hits the ERP system
    31:47 Extending visibility up and downstream: suppliers in the picture
    34:26 Rule of delegation: what to resolve in week 3 vs. escalate to week 4
    36:18 Outputs of the balancing week
    25:37 How to get C-level to actually show up and engage
    27:25 Structuring the executive meeting: State of the Union + decisions
    09:17 Avoiding the post-planning firefighting trap
    37:22 The fifth step: following up on actual planning behaviour
    38:56 Summary & closing thoughts
    39:13 Outro & call to action

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
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    40 mins
  • How to balance AI in supply chain planning with human judgement

    How to balance AI in supply chain planning with human judgement
    Feb 11 2026
    AI is moving fast and it’s changing the way supply chains are run. But a big question remains: how do you tap into its power without losing control or replacing the judgment you and your team bring to the table?

    In this episode of the S&OP MasterClass, Søren Hammer Pedersen sits down with Benjamin Obling, a supply chain expert with 16 years at Roima.

    You’ll hear real examples of how companies are using AI in demand forecasting and inventory planning without cutting people out of the process. If you’ve been wondering how to get AI working for you, without creating blind spots or overreliance, you’ll want to listen in. We talk about practical ways to build trust, add smart governance, and use AI where it makes sense while keeping human judgment front and center.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:
    1. How to balance AI automation with human judgment in planning.
    2. Key AI-driven improvements in demand forecasting and inventory management.
    3. Importance of trust and governance in adopting AI strategies.
    4. How to determine what to automate and where humans are needed.
    5. Embracing AI while maintaining control through guardrails and alerts.
    Episode content
    00:44 The rise of AI in supply chain planning
    03:39 Current challenges in AI integration for planning
    04:51 Trust and governance in AI predictions
    07:03 Finding starting points for AI automation in planning
    08:45 Leveraging AI across different planning disciplines
    09:13 Identifying critical areas for human oversight
    12:19 Balancing automation and human judgment
    16:56 Knowing when to trust AI predictions
    19:18 Ensuring transparency in AI-driven processes
    23:36 Impacts of AI on sales and operations planning
    29:10 Future outlook for AI in supply chain planning

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
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    33 mins
  • Why your MRP is insufficient in the real word of S&OP and what do do about it

    Why your MRP is insufficient in the real word of S&OP and what do do about it
    Jan 14 2026
    Do you actually trust the MRP output you get every day, or are you stuck with unrealistic plans and constant firefighting?

    In this episode of the S&OP MasterClass, host Søren Hammer Pedersen is joined by Roima colleague Benjamin Obling, who brings 16 years of experience in inventory, demand, supply planning, and IBP, for a deep dive into one of the most critical engines in supply chain execution: MRP.

    They explain why MRP often becomes unstable in real-world complexity such as BOM levels, lead time variation, MOQs, capacity rules, and multiple factories or ERP systems. They also walk through the warning signs and the business impact when MRP is not under control, including lost sales, excess inventory, air freight, and frequent changeovers.

    Most importantly, they share practical ways to diagnose and stabilize MRP. Topics include timestamping MRP outputs to improve transparency, fixing key inputs where data quality drives outcomes, and using a direct-derived demand view to separate stable consumption from MRP-driven volatility. If supplier forecasts keep changing and planners spend too much time correcting proposals manually, this episode is highly relevant.

    In this episode, you will learn about:
    1. Why MRP is a critical link between S&OP decisions and execution in daily operations
    2. Common signs that MRP is producing unrealistic and costly plans
    3. Why rule-based MRP struggles in complex and constraint-heavy environments
    4. How to analyze MRP volatility using locks, timestamps, and BOM-level tracing
    5. A practical approach to stabilizing supplier and capacity views using direct-derived demand
    6. How to prioritize master data fixes without launching an endless cleanup effort
    7. Where scenario planning and rough-cut capacity planning can support better decisions before changes reach ERP and MRP
    Episode content
    00:00 Welcome and why MRP matters
    01:05 Meet Benjamin Obling, IBP and supply chain planning expert
    02:10 How MRP turns S&OP decisions into execution
    03:35 When MRP works and when complexity breaks it
    05:25 Red flags: unrealistic plans and manual firefighting
    07:05 The business cost of poor MRP output
    08:30 How MRP becomes a black box over time
    10:40 Diagnosing MRP volatility with locks and timestamps
    12:35 Fixing the inputs: forecast, safety stock, MOQs, lead times
    15:10 Prioritizing master data fixes by impact
    18:05 Direct-derived demand vs. MRP noise
    21:10 Better decisions with rough-cut capacity and scenarios

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
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    35 mins
  • Skip the honeymoon and make vendor selection work

    Skip the honeymoon and make vendor selection work
    Oct 1 2025
    Mastering vendor selection = cut risk and pick the right partner.

    Are you still choosing vendors based on pitch decks and checklists? You're absolutely not alone. It's aslo costing more than you think.

    In this episode of the S&OP Masterclass, Søren Hammer Pedersen talks with Benjamin Obling from Roima. Benjamin brings 15+ years of integrated business planning experience, offering insights into what works, what fails and what often slips under the radar.

    We cover what to look out for beyond the first demo, why finance should always be at the table early in the RFP process and how to spot misalignment before it slows everything down. This one's short, sharp and full of smart ways to fine-tune your vendor selection process.
    If you’re planning for a new IBP tool, or want to make sure your current setup supports the big picture, this is for you.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:
    1. Importance of aligning management before vendor selection.
    2. How to demo and validate vendors effectively.
    3. Key factors for a successful RFP process.
    4. Four critical tracks to focus during RFP.
    5. Role of concrete proof-of-concept in evaluations.
    6. Avoiding common pitfalls in vendor selection.

    Episode Content

    02:42 Importance of a good vendor selection process
    07:35 Defining business outcomes and requirements
    09:40 Stakeholder management in vendor selection
    14:02 Shortlisting vendors: Number and criteria
    15:31 Importance of live demos during vendor evaluation
    26:05 Value of proof of concepts in selection
    30:43 Finance’s role in strengthening the business case
    32:05 Four tracks to consider in the RFP process
    33:58 Importance of cultural fit and vendor relationships
    39:01 Reinforcing simplicity and avoiding overcomplication

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
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    42 mins
  • Future-proofing supply chains: From Excel to AI-driven planning

    Future-proofing supply chains: From Excel to AI-driven planning
    Sep 10 2025
    How ready is your supply chain for the next disruption?


    In this episode of the S&OP MasterClass, Søren Hammer Pedersen talks with integrated business planning expert Benjamin Obling about what it really takes to keep your planning sharp and resilient - especially as budget season approaches.

    They’ll get into why many companies still rely on tools like Excel (and the hidden cost of doing so), what agility and scalability really mean today, and where AI actually fits in. Even more importantly, they’ll focus on how to make a solid, practical case for investing in better planning infrastructure, so you’re not left patching things up when the pressure is on.

    If you're weighing where to allocate budget or just want a clearer view of what comes next in planning, this one's for you. It’s short, sharp and full of insights you can use. Hit play when you’re ready.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:
    1. How to future-proof supply chain planning for budget season.
    2. Key areas for enhancing supply chain efficiency and agility.
    3. The vital role of scenario planning in modern supply chains.
    4. Exploring the intersection of AI and supply chain planning.
    5. Leveraging cloud technology for scalable supply chain solutions.


    Episode Content
    00:39 Overview of budget season in supply chain planning
    01:11 Importance of future-proofing your supply chain planning
    04:28 Competitors are becoming more professional in planning
    12:57 Emphasizing scalability in supply chain operations
    18:01 The growing need for scenario planning in uncertain times
    30:10 Structure and data governance in AI applications
    32:42 Costs of inaction: stockouts and working capital issues
    36:33 Building a data-driven business case for investment decisions

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
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    41 mins
  • The revenue insights hiding in your S&OP process – and how to find them

    The revenue insights hiding in your S&OP process – and how to find them
    Aug 6 2025
    Is your S&OP process really connected to your company’s goals or is it stuck in its own lane?

    In this episode, Søren Hammer sits down with Benjamin Obling from Roima to talk about how supply chains can do more than just react. They can lead. They talk about what happens when operations, strategy, and finance actually work together – and what’s holding that back today.

    You’ll get practical insights on connecting strategic planning with real-world capacity and demand as well as examples of how smarter forecasting and aligned priorities can drive both profit and performance.

    If you're a supply chain leader who wants a stronger voice in the boardroom, this one’s for you.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:
    1. Why supply chain needs a strategic and financial seat.
    2. Hidden costs impacting revenue and company value creation.
    3. Breaking silos for strategic supply chain alignment.
    4. Using demand forecasting for strategic business simulations.
    5. How to integrate finance for a unified business plan.

    Episode Content
    00:58 Meet Benjamin Obling and his background
    01:45 Linking S&OP to finance and strategy
    04:22 Recent trends pushing for financial alignment in S&OP
    07:00 Evolving S&OP processes and addressing operational silos
    09:27 The need for a unified demand forecast
    11:57 Engaging C-suite for strategic S&OP discussions
    16:35 Balancing inventories with strategic decision-making
    19:12 Steps to integrate revenue insights into planning
    30:15 Emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision making
    33:39 Aligning systems and processes for better efficiency

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.


    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Why demand variability is killing your supply chain planning

    Why demand variability is killing your supply chain planning
    Jul 2 2025
    What’s causing the most stress in your planning process?
    Missed forecasts?
    Late deliveries?

    The real issue might be something sneakier: variability.

    In this episode of the S&OP Masterclass, Søren Hammer sits down with Benjamin Obling to talk about how variability quietly chips away at efficiency and profits.

    With 16+ years of hands-on experience, Benjamin shares real examples and smart ways to manage uncertainty across demand and supply.

    If you’re working with supply or demand planning, and tired of being surprised by what *should’ve* been predictable, this one’s worth your time. You’ll walk away with advice you can actually use, and maybe a few ideas you haven’t thought of yet.

    Listen in and give your planning process an advantage.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:
    1. Why variability is a "silent killer" in supply chain planning.
    2. How to address demand planning uncertainties effectively.
    3. The role of AI models in improving forecast accuracy.
    4. Minimizing supply chain uncertainty through data measurement.
    5. Optimizing inventory amidst unknowns for cost efficiency.
    6. Balancing human factors with S&OP processes efficiently.

    Episode Content
    01:06 Importance of understanding uncertainty in forecasting
    04:46 Tackling uncertainty in demand planning
    05:56 Using AI to improve forecast accuracy
    08:03 Impact of promotional campaigns on demand variability
    10:14 Managing new product launches and uncertainties
    14:19 Addressing supply-side uncertainties and inventory management
    16:51 The role of MRP and its sensitivity
    21:45 Human factors affecting planning and adjustments
    25:52 Tools for measuring variability in supply chain
    30:39 Prioritizing areas to tackle based on financial impact

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.

    Production
    This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
    This podcast is produced by Montanus.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins