Supply Chain Inventory Analytics

Stephen Graves, a distinguished professor at MIT since 1977, serves as the Abraham J. Siegel Professor of Management with a joint appointment in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His illustrious career spans decades of contributions to operations research and supply chain management, marked by significant leadership roles including Deputy Dean at MIT Sloan School, Chair of the MIT Faculty from 2001-2003, and co-director of the MIT Leaders for Manufacturing Program. After earning his AB and MBA from Dartmouth College and completing his PhD in operations research from the University of Rochester, he has dedicated his expertise to developing innovative solutions in manufacturing systems and distribution networks. His research portfolio encompasses supply chain optimization, manufacturing flexibility, and online retail operations, collaborating with major corporations like Amazon, IBM, Intel, and Boeing. A prolific scholar and editor, Graves has co-edited influential handbooks on production logistics and supply chain management while serving as editor-in-chief of Manufacturing & Services Operations Management. His exceptional contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including fellowships in INFORMS, MSOM, and POMS, alongside membership in the prestigious National Academy of Engineering. As a testament to his industry impact, he has served as chief science advisor to JDA Software and held advisory positions with companies like Optiant and Invistics, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical applications in operations management.

Sean Willems is a distinguished academic and entrepreneur who serves as the Haslam Chair in Supply Chain Analytics at the University of Tennessee's Haslam College of Business. After earning his education from the Wharton School and MIT Sloan School of Management, he made significant contributions to the field of supply chain optimization. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Optiant in 2000, a successful venture in multi-echelon inventory optimization tools that was later acquired by Logility. As both a scholar and practitioner, Willems has collaborated with major corporations like Hewlett Packard, Proctor & Gamble, and Intel, earning multiple recognitions including the 2008 Wagner Prize for his groundbreaking work on inventory placement under non-stationary demand. His research focuses on developing tactical decision support tools, inventory forecasting, and optimization, with his work gaining particular relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, he directs the business analytics and statistics Ph.D. program at the University of Tennessee while maintaining a visiting professor position at MIT Sloan School of Management since 2016. His commitment to education extends beyond traditional teaching, as demonstrated by his creation of a high-quality video studio during the pandemic to enhance online learning experiences through his innovative "World of Edcraft" project. Willems continues to shape the field through his editorial roles at Production and Operations Management and Interfaces, while his research publications on supply chain configuration and strategic safety stock placement remain highly influential in the academic community.