S&OP MasterClass

Most production companies have already done the hard work upstream. The demand forecast is in place, inventories are optimised, and the MRP is running on better input. Then the production order proposals land on the planner's desk and the whole thing drops into Excel. But why Excel? Software could automate and optimise the job has existed for years. The short answer is that advanced planning software is built to be configured for any factory in the world, so configuring it for yours becomes a very expensive project. That’s why Excel wins by default. But that raises a question many is asking right now. Why not just vibe code an IBP system ourselves? Ask Claude or ChatGPT for an optimisation algorithm, describe your machines, orders and constraints, and let it run. In this episode, we discuss this question, and what traps you need to watch out for if vibe coding is your plan. By the end of the conversation you will know what that building block needs from the platform around it, where the planner and the…

"Why don't we just pour all our data into Claude and use that as our planning tool?" If you work in supply chain planning, you have probably heard that question in your own company. It sounds reasonable. The general AI assistants are impressive, everyone is already using them, and they will happily answer any question you throw at them. This episode takes that question seriously and answers it properly. Søren Hammer Pedersen hosts this session of the S&OP MasterClass and brings in Benjamin Obling, CPO of Perito IBP at Roima Intelligence. Benjamin spends his working life embedding AI agents into integrated business planning software, which makes him exactly the right person to explain where the general assistants end and dedicated planning AI begins. The surprising starting point is that the two are built on the same raw material. The LLMs behind an embedded planning agent and behind Claude or Copilot can be identical. What separates them is instruction, context, and governance. An embedded agent knows which…

Every shift on a modern factory floor throws off more signal than any team could ever read. Machines, quality checks, maintenance logs, operator comments, all of it lands in systems of record, and almost all of it goes unread. Managers make do with a handful of dashboards while the answers to their most expensive problems sit in the data, waiting for someone with the time to go looking. Most of the time, nobody does. In this S&OP Masterclass from Roima, host Søren Hammer Pedersen sits down with Rafael Amaral to look at what changes when agentic AI is pointed at that data. Rafael has spent around 20 years in manufacturing technology, split between supply chain planning and manufacturing execution systems. He is CTO and co-founder at TilliT, now part of Roima, where he leads the engineering team behind the TilliT stack, a cloud native MES application. The conversation moves from planning, the subject of the previous episode, onto the shop floor, where the data is densest and the losses are most expensive.…

The word "agentic" is everywhere in supply chain right now, and rarely defined. In this S&OP MasterClass from Roima, host Søren Hammer Pedersen sits down with Rafael Amaral, CTO and Co-Founder of TilliT, to cut through it. They trace the shift from the first wave of AI, which made our existing forecasts and plans better, to the agentic wave, where systems can take a goal and work towards it on their own. Rafael offers a genuinely usable definition of agentic AI, explains why giving a model tools changes everything, and is candid about why so many projects fail, from the 10,000-bottle order nobody approved to the temptation to dump an entire dataset into the context window. The conversation then turns practical: where agentic AI is already creating value in planning, how optimisation is being democratised beyond PhD-level data science, and how Roima's Aura connects the data silos across IBP, MES, WMS and PLM to surface insights teams have been missing. They close on the question everyone asks: what does this…

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…

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…

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: How to balance AI automation with human judgment in planning. Key AI-driven improvements in demand forecasting and inventory management. Importance of trust and governance in adopting AI strategies. How to determine…

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…

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…

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: How to future-proof supply chain planning for budget season. Key areas for enhancing supply chain efficiency and…

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: Why supply chain needs a strategic and financial seat. Hidden costs impacting revenue and company value creation. Breaking silos for strategic supply chain alignment. Using demand forecasting for strategic business simulations. How to integrate finance for a unified business plan. Episode Content 00:58 Meet…

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…

Why do so many companies settle for “good enough” in supply chain planning – when better is absolutely possible? In this episode of the S&OP Masterclass from Roima, we sit down with Søren Hammer Pedersen and Benjamin Obling to talk about how you can move from legacy processes to smarter, more automated planning that actually delivers results. We’ll share real stories and practical steps to help you rethink how you approach demand and supply planning, get more out of your tools, and challenge old habits that no longer serve you. If you're tired of inefficiencies and ready to unlock real business value, this one’s for you. Listen in and pick up ideas you can immediately start using to improve accuracy, cut costs, and stay ahead. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. Understanding the concept of planning excellence in supply chains. 2. Balancing process optimization with tool integration. 3. Importance of challenging existing supply chain processes. 4. Identifying and automating key strategic supply chain…

Is your demand plan giving you the accuracy you need – or are you reacting more than you’d like? In this episode of the S&OP MasterClass, Søren Hammer Pedersen, sits down with Benjamin Obling from Roima to talk about something that’s changing the game in demand forecasting: AI. Benjamin brings 15 years of practical experience and shares how Roima is using AI – specifically neural networks – to fine-tune forecasts down to the SKU level and across channels. They cover what’s working, what’s not, and what it actually takes to move from manual to machine-assisted planning. If you're looking for smarter ways to manage demand and gain an edge in your supply chain, this one’s worth your time. Give it a listen. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. What is demand AI and its significance in forecasting? 2. How does demand AI enhance forecast accuracy? 3. The best techniques for implementing demand AI effectively. 4. Practical benefits realized from adopting demand AI methods. 5. Common challenges and solutions in…

AI can certainly boost your supply chain management. But how? And what risks are there to avoid? This is the topic of todays episode, where er take a good look at five pitfalls using AI, and what you can do to mitigate the risks. The pitfalls we’ll cover is: How to avoid the Black Box Pitfall? How to succeed with limited resources? How to strengthen the weakest link datalink? How to prevent AI from learning the wrong things? How to avoid AI conflicting with employee incentives Tune in, and get the most out of your supply chain AI initiatives. Today’s guest Today, we are joined by Stephan Skovlund, founder of former Perito Consulting, and now partner in Perito IBP, Roima. Stephan has worked with supply chain optimization and control for the last 10-15 years, and have worked closely with AI in supply chain management long before the topic became hot with the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022. Your host is, as always, Søren Hammer Pedersen, CCO in Perito IBP, Roima. Episode contents 00:09 – Introduction…

You know that AI is transforming supply chain planning. But can you differ buzzwords from business? In this deep dive episode, Søren Hammer Pedersen and Stephan Skovlund guide you through the transformative journey of AI in supply chain planning. From the basics of AI and machine learning to the sophisticated use of language models like ChatGPT, we uncover the layers of AI applications that are revolutionizing the industry. Get insights on how AI not only enhances operational efficiency but also redefines strategic planning and decision-making processes in supply chain management. Whether you're a novice eager to understand AI's potential or a seasoned professional looking to integrate AI technologies into your operations, this episode is your gateway to the future of supply chain planning. Key Take-Aways: The role of ChatGPT and AI in transforming supply chain planning Key benefits of integrating AI into supply chain strategies Practical steps for beginning with AI in supply chain planning The impact of AI…

You may have heard about “Data-driven Supply Chain Assessment”, but do you know what it means? Why is it necessary? Who does it? And how will it impact your supply chain planning? In this episode, Benjamin Obling, COO at Perito IBP, digs into the questions surrounding a supply chain assessment, and will answer questions like: What is required to conduct a data-driven supply chain assessment? What elements should be assessed? How do you actually do it – the toolbox you need. How to build a business case from the assessment. Get ready to learn! Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Perito IBP. Visit Perito IBP This podcast is produced by Montanus. Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

Inventory levels, working capital, safety stock. All are hot topics in the world of supply chain planning, but the real question is: How do you optimize your supply chain without sacrificing service levels? All of this and much more we’ll talk about in this episode of S&OP MasterClass™, where we’ve once again invited the knowledgeable Benjamin Obling to the table. Benjamin will share his insights on: The influence of internal and external factors to the supply chain planning Stock policies and strategies Balancing inventory with data and gut-feeling And much much more. Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Perito IBP. Visit Perito IBP This podcast is produced by Montanus. Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

How do you operationalize sustainable initiatives in a huge supply chain? In this second part of the DLG S&OP MasterClass, we ask our guest, Flemming Højsager Persson, what being part of the Science Based Targets initiatives entails, seen from the supply chain point of view. Flemming Højsager Persson is the Head of Supply Chain Development at DLG, and will in this episode tell you about: Supply Chain Maturity and Sustainability How to handle owners and other stakeholders when investing in sustainability Consequences of sustainability for future supply chain planners Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Perito Consulting. Visit Perito Consulting Visit DLG ----------- This podcast is produced by Montanus. Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

How does a large corporation like DLG work with sustainability? Industriously! (Please note that this is part 1 of a 2-part mini-series on DLG's sustainability work in their supply chain. Stay tunes for part 2 in episode 10.) DLG has just been approved by the Science Based Targets initiatives. For DLG this means mapping emissions diligently (also scope 3) as well as committing to and operationalizing ambitious sustainability targets. This is part 1 in a 2-part-series on DLG's supply chain setup. Make sure to listen in on episode 10, where we'll continue the talk. In this interview, you will meet Head of Supply Chain Development, Flemming Højsager Persson at DLG, who will elaborate how the sustainability commitment impacts supply chain. In the episode, you’ll learn about: How the Science Based Targets impacts the DLG supply chain How DLG expects supply chain planning will change over the next years The business case behind emission targets and goal setting And much more … Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen,…

How to operationalize the sustainability scopes in your supply chain planning? Answering that question is the holy grail of sustainability and planning. And in this episode, we try to get as close to an answer as possible. In the episode, you’ll learn about: Deep data transparency Data-based emission scenario planning How and where to optimize your supply chain And much more Benjamin Obling, Partner at Perito Consulting, will once again guide you through the complexities with his extensive experience in S&OP and integrated Business Planning. Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Perito Consulting. ## Show Notes ## Access show notes for this episode here. This podcast is brought to you by Perito Consulting. This podcast is produced by Montanus. Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

Sustainability is all over the supply chain planning world. However, how do you get the data for the three emission scopes? This is the topic of today’s podcast, where we look at how to map data across sustaionability scopes 1 and 2, and the complex scope 3. We’re looking at a top down approach, a bottom up one, and naturaly, what you can acquire of emission data from you ERP-system. Benjamin Obling, Partner at Perito Consulting, will once again guide you through the complexities with his extensive experience in S&OP and integrated Business Planning. Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Perito Consulting. ## Find the shownotes here ## This podcast is produced by Montanus. Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

In this S&OP MasterClass™ we focus our attention on the increasingly important topics of sustainability and supply chain planning. We ask the questions: Why should supply chain managers care about sustainability? Why are supply chains not ready for sustainability initiatives, and what can CSCOs do about it? How do you take on the challenge of understanding and operationalizing scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions? And much more! Benjamin Obling, Partner at Perito Consulting, will take you through the ups and downs of this complex matter and let you in on some of the methods that will let your sustainability goals become reality. Go to Show Notes Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Perito Consulting. This podcast is produced by Montanus. Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

In this S&OP MasterClass™ is a follow-up on the previous episode focusing on the current changes happening in the market characterized by crisis happening upon crisis. We have addressed the current obstacles, but how do your company overcome them? Stefan Sørensen, Partner of Perito Consulting, will go through the seven steps companies need to go through to conquer the challenges of current times and to start the implementation of a more data-driven and automated approach. Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer in Perito Consulting. This podcast is brought to you by Perito Consulting, https://perito-consulting.com This podcast is produced by Montanus, https://montanus.co *** Connect with Søren and Benjamin*** Link up with Søren Hammer Pedersen https://www.linkedin.com/in/s%C3%B8ren-hammer-pedersen-9455254 Link up with Stefan Sørensen https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanperito/ Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

In this S&OP MasterClass™ we focus on the current changes happening in the market – a market characterized by crisis happening upon crisis. The current inflationary situation has once again created new obstacles for supply chain managers who are facing yet another round of obstacles in their supply chain planning. But what are the main difficulties companies are facing today still recovering from Covid19, while handling a current global crisis, a Russian war in Ukraine and the European inflation, and more importantly how do companies overcome them? To help shed a light on these issues expert and partner in Perito Consulting, Stefan Sørensen, will guide you through tips and tricks you can implement in your current supply chain planning. Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer in Perito Consulting. This podcast is produced by Montanus, https://montanus.co *** Connect with Søren and Benjamin *** Link up with Søren Hammer Pedersen:…

In this S&OP MasterClass™ we focus on whether companies should utilize functionalities in their existing ERP systems or move to a more intelligent integrated business plan. When does it make sense to level up to a best-of-breed system? Expert and COO of Perito Consulting, Benjamin Obling will guide you through these concerns, using his many years of expertise in supply chain management. Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer in Perito Consulting, who will guide you through this interesting topic and help you decide whether to upgrade your current ways or utilize what you already have in store. This podcast is produced for Perito Consulting by Montanus. Shownotes: https://perito-consulting.com/resources/ Producer: https://montanus.co Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

This episode explores why businesses fail to start a transformation of their supply chain and why companies are too slow in the implementation phase. They end up dismissing the benefits of an IBP, because they want their master data to be perfect before applying further software to their current ERP systems. This is a mistake according to expert and COO of Perito Consulting, Benjamin Obling. In this episode, Benjamin explains the common behaviors of companies when contemplating a transformation, and how to move past the fear of imperfect data. Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Perito Consulting, who will guide you through this interesting topic of getting your IBP process started despite your doubts. This podcast is produced for Perito Consulting by Montanus. Shownotes: https://perito-consulting.com/resources/ Producer: https://montanus.co Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by Montanus.

This episode dives into the functions of an Integrated Business Plan in the supply chain of your aftermarket sales. IBP processes are often overlooked in the aftermarket and in aftermarket companies. However, including aftermarket sales and services in your supply chain planning is both profitable and good customer service. In this episode, we dive into this narrative with S&OP expert and Chief Operating Officer at Perito Consulting, Benjamin Obling. Benjamin explains the importance of focusing on the aftermarket, common aftermarket obstacles, and ways to optimize your supply chain for aftermarket sales. Your host is Søren Hammer Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Perito Consulting, who will guide you through this interesting topic of Integrated Business Planning in the aftermarket. This podcast is produced for Perito Consulting by Montanus. Shownotes: https://perito-consulting.com/resources/ Producer: https://montanus.co Production This podcast is brought to you by Roima. This podcast is produced by…