National Supply Chain Day: Penn State Smeal SCIS Alumni Making an Impact

Why It Matters

The alumni stories prove that modern supply‑chain education directly fuels operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and career flexibility, making it a strategic asset for both companies and aspiring professionals.

Key Takeaways

• ERP expertise launched careers at Hershey and other firms.
• Strategic procurement drives value, risk reduction, and efficiency.
• Case studies bridge classroom theory to real‑world supply chain challenges.
• Automation reduces manual touchpoints, freeing resources for higher‑value work.
• Rotational programs reveal supply chain’s pervasive role across industries.

Summary

The video, released for National Supply Chain Day, spotlights recent Penn State Smeal School of Supply Chain alumni who have entered leading consumer‑goods and technology firms, illustrating how the program’s curriculum translates into real‑world impact.

Alumni describe concrete applications: Nate Bulger uses SAP daily at The Hershey Company to manage material data; Leah Goebel at Utz Brands applies strategic procurement to align spend with corporate goals; Jenna Edelmann moved from risk and resilience to a category‑buyer role at Henkel, emphasizing the breadth of opportunities; Collin Garr at Unilever combines customer‑service insight with automation initiatives to eliminate low‑value manual tasks; Brooke Sorrano rotates through supply planning and inventory management at Comcast, underscoring supply chain’s ubiquity.

Key moments include Bulger’s comment that the SCM 301 class “prepared and ready to learn” in SAP, Goebel’s definition of strategic procurement as “proactive long‑term,” Edelmann’s reminder that case studies “show you what it’s really like in the real world,” Garr’s focus on cutting Excel forms through technology, and Sorrano’s observation that “supply chain is in everything we do.”

Together, the testimonies demonstrate that a solid supply‑chain education equips graduates with versatile, technology‑driven skill sets, enabling firms to improve efficiency, mitigate risk, and innovate across functions—a signal to employers and students that investment in such programs yields tangible business value.

Original Description

National Supply Chain Day recognizes the people, processes, and innovations that keep the world moving. The Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research celebrates this occasion by spotlighting SCIS alumni who share their experiences in the program and the meaningful impact they're making in the supply chain industry today. Discover how a Penn State Smeal supply chain education prepares professionals to lead in this dynamic field.