INFORMS Open Forum

I am a graduate student pursuing MS Business Analytics at the University of California - Davis.

I did my Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), and 1st Master in Management Science from the leading business school in Pakistan (known as IBA Karachi). I have co-founded 2 startups in the past, and have worked in the industry for 6 years. My last role was with the largest Tobacco Manufacturer in the world, Philip Morris International (PMI). Where I managed downstream national supply chain. Working on an analytical project of Network Design, I help PMI save 16% of total variable cost of Logistics Operations. It was a huge project which I single-handedly completed with the help of analytics. I used center-of-gravity method to design the distribution network. 

I realized that with the help of analytics and machine learning we can optimize supply chain and reduce logistical waste. I aim to learn the following items to optimize supply chain (OR) with the help of Analytics and ML. 

1. Inventory Management: I want to learn and develop models for Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), changing Safety Stock Analysis, Forecasting Demand using time series analysis, regression, and machine learning for improving operations. 
2. For Network Design: I realized we can use location-allocation models to determine the optimal locations for distribution centers, warehouses, and factories (I used Center-of-gravity previously), and facility location models to minimize transportation and operating costs while maintaining service levels.
3. Transportation/Logistic Optimization: Linear programming to reducing logistical costs and determining optimized routes. 
4. Risk Mitigation: Simulation and stochastic models for reducing the impacts of uncertainties and better decision making during the same.

The list is exhaustive, and can further be improved as we go deep inside the OR topics. It is the top-line to start with. I love talking to people and learning from their experiences. Currently, I am following Alex and watching his videos to learn Analytics and I follow him on LinkedIn. I am dropping his YT channel here, would be helpful for many. 

Through INFORMS, I am looking forward to connecting with likeminded individuals, academicians, and industry experts and veterans! 

Please feel free to connect me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanpuri/

Alex YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexTheAnalyst

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Sanjay Puri
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - DAVIS
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
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Hi Sanjay, 

I used to work in the manufacturing industry as a manager of data analytics and had dealt with some of the topics you mentioned such as demand forecasting, planning optimization, SCM risk mitigation. I would love to discuss further on these topics. I've added you on LinkedIn. 

My email address is shangxiaonan@gmail.com feel free to reach out to me if you prefer conversation via emails. 

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Xiaonan Shang
Manager, Data Analytics
Enovation Controls
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2024 19:21
From: Sanjay Puri
Subject: Analytics in Optimizing Supply Chain (OR)

I am a graduate student pursuing MS Business Analytics at the University of California - Davis.

I did my Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), and 1st Master in Management Science from the leading business school in Pakistan (known as IBA Karachi). I have co-founded 2 startups in the past, and have worked in the industry for 6 years. My last role was with the largest Tobacco Manufacturer in the world, Philip Morris International (PMI). Where I managed downstream national supply chain. Working on an analytical project of Network Design, I help PMI save 16% of total variable cost of Logistics Operations. It was a huge project which I single-handedly completed with the help of analytics. I used center-of-gravity method to design the distribution network. 

I realized that with the help of analytics and machine learning we can optimize supply chain and reduce logistical waste. I aim to learn the following items to optimize supply chain (OR) with the help of Analytics and ML. 

1. Inventory Management: I want to learn and develop models for Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), changing Safety Stock Analysis, Forecasting Demand using time series analysis, regression, and machine learning for improving operations. 
2. For Network Design: I realized we can use location-allocation models to determine the optimal locations for distribution centers, warehouses, and factories (I used Center-of-gravity previously), and facility location models to minimize transportation and operating costs while maintaining service levels.
3. Transportation/Logistic Optimization: Linear programming to reducing logistical costs and determining optimized routes. 
4. Risk Mitigation: Simulation and stochastic models for reducing the impacts of uncertainties and better decision making during the same.

The list is exhaustive, and can further be improved as we go deep inside the OR topics. It is the top-line to start with. I love talking to people and learning from their experiences. Currently, I am following Alex and watching his videos to learn Analytics and I follow him on LinkedIn. I am dropping his YT channel here, would be helpful for many. 

Through INFORMS, I am looking forward to connecting with likeminded individuals, academicians, and industry experts and veterans! 

Please feel free to connect me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanpuri/

Alex YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexTheAnalyst

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Sanjay Puri
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - DAVIS
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
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