S&OP Unplugged - Episode 13
Leaders from GE Appliances, Beckway, Cummins, and Lifework dive into the evolving role of demand planners in a post-COVID landscape. From tactical execution to strategic engagement, they cover how leadership, collaboration, and external supplier integration are redefining the future of S&OP—and why continual learning remains essential.
Become an IBF Member to watch the unplugged session in full or create an account to watch a few chapters.
S&OP Unplugged Topics:
- Impact of COVID-19 / Forecasting & Planning
- S&OE / Tactical Execution
- S&OP/ IBP /Internal Collaboration
- Leadership / Engagement & Strategy
- Supplier S&OP / External Collaboration
- Demand Planner / Role Going Forward
- Different People / Similar Challenges
- Continual Learning / Ongoing
- IBF Conference Take-Aways / Panelist Nuggets

Prior Roles
- Several leadership roles in multiple industries ranging from food and packaging to CPG companies. She has a wide area of expertise including S&OP, demand planning, inventory, and supply planning
Education
- University of Illinois
Award
- Excellence in Business Forecasting & Planning award from IBF


Eric is a predictive analytics and business planning innovator, author, teacher and speaker. As Director of Thought Leadership at IBF, he brings over 20 years of experience, previously leading demand planning at Escalade Sports, Berry Plastics, and Tempur Sealy. Eric is an IBF Advanced Certified Professional Forecaster (ACPF) and received IBF’s Excellence in Business Forecasting & Planning award in 2016. He is a frequent speaker and panelist who has published extensively in The Journal of Business Forecasting and APICS Magazine. Eric is also the author of Cultural Cycles, Predictive Analytics for Business Forecasting & Planning, and Practical Guide to Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP/ IBP).

Debbie Evans is the Head of Integrated Business Planning for Elanco Animal Health where she is currently leading the global implementation of IBP processes across Elanco’s business segments, including U.S. Pet Health, U.S. Farm Animal, and international business segments. Her role is focused on driving alignment across commercial, financial, and operational functions to enhance decision-making, improve financial performance, and prepare for the successful launch of IBP capabilities in 2025. Prior to joining Elanco, Debbie was with Cummins Inc., where she played a pivotal role in implementing IBP processes across various business units, transforming operational planning and driving cross-functional alignment. Debbie is passionate about building processes that empower organizations to achieve their strategic goals and foster collaboration across all levels of the business

Mr. Breault is the Managing Director of LifeWork Search, a Management Recruiting firm. Jason has worked with leading soft goods, hard goods, and food and beverage companies—ranging in size from $50 million to $20 billion—to identify top talent in areas like demand planning, supply planning, operations planning, production planning, and S&OP. He is a board member of the New England chapter of IBF. He has also spoken at several APICS and IBF events and appeared in several SupplyChainBrain.com videos on the subject of Talent Management. Jason spent more than five years at AMR Research in Boston (now Gartner), a leading research and advisory organization focusing on the supply chain best practices and applications being leveraged to help cut costs and increase revenues.