Supply Chain Evolution: Insights from the Inaugural Navigator Program

By Norris Tangen

Cultivating Future Supply Chain Leaders

The Navigator Program began with AmCham China Committee Associate and MSSC support staff, Yin Yu, who saw the growing need for a program tailored to the challenges and rapid developments in supply chain management. “The landscape is evolving faster than ever,” says Yu. “From digitalization to sustainability, supply chain leaders today need to navigate complexities that didn’t exist a decade ago. We designed this program to help participants gain real-world insights and build lasting connections.”

In her initial proposal for the program, Yu outlined a detailed structure that aimed to blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on experiences. The cohort would engage in a series of workshops, factory visits, and networking events, each designed to provide a holistic view of the industry. The program also focused on practical applications, from digital supply chain strategies to on-site learning at leading companies like Boeing and Cummins.

While there are many industry conferences, the Navigator Program aimed to set itself apart with a small cohort size, personalized approach, and multiple events. “Our goal was to offer more than just lectures—we wanted deep engagement, hands-on learning, and real discussions with industry veterans,” Yin explains.

Collaborative Development and Industry Expertise

MSSC Co-Chairs Craig Abler, Regional Vice President of Asia Supply Chain at Boeing and David Song, Director of Supply Chain Strategy & Transformation at Cummins China were instrumental in shaping the program’s content, ensuring that it addressed the most current industry needs. Abler notes, “The Navigator Program highly increased the engagement of our membership within the AmCham China community. It’s always good to gather people together to address key industry challenges and brainstorm solutions. We see issues within member companies, and we want to help them succeed in China.”

Both Abler and Song emphasize the importance of collaboration in making the program a success. According to Abler, “Collaboration is the critical element of the program. It’s important to show the cohorts how real leaders work in the industry, as well as how real workers operate at the factory. The program isn’t just enhanced by collaboration—it’s built upon it.”

Song echoes this sentiment: “Successful initiatives like the Navigator Program remind us of how intertwined the world’s two largest economies remain. Connecting and learning together in the context of US companies operating in China is fundamental for our companies, industries, and the relationship between our two countries.”

The inclusion of companies like Boeing, Cummins, and Albemarle further shaped the program’s success. “We experienced great participation from our member companies to offer truly memorable sessions, including hands-on tours of some of the region’s leading manufacturing facilities,” says Song.

Learning, Networking, and Real-World Insights

Feedback from participants highlights the program’s impact on their professional growth. The post-program survey revealed that 100% of participants would recommend the Navigator Program to their peers, with many expressing how it exceeded expectations. Chuck Brown, a global supply chain consultant with over 40 years of industry experience, shares and former MSSC Co-Chair, shares, “The insights give a wonderful look into the various roadmaps to excellence. Real-world problems and solutions were shared and discussed, making this program invaluable.”

As an industry veteran, Brown found one of the most intriguing aspects of the program to be the opportunity to hear from various companies and leaders about how they navigated the fallout from the pandemic. “Over the years, I’ve worked with numerous companies and witnessed how different organizations handle supply chain challenges. But what really stood out for me in this program was seeing how things have shifted, especially post-pandemic. The pandemic created massive challenges for supply chains—logistics, sourcing, labor—and I was looking for creative solutions. The program gave me a chance to see how different companies responded and adapted.”

A Boeing factory visit was one of the highlights, with 67% of participants citing it as their favorite session. Charles Howes, a student at New York University Shanghai, notes, “As someone at the start of my career, this was a unique chance to connect with industry veterans and learn from their experiences. The networking opportunities and factory visits were invaluable.”

The program’s networking opportunities also offered participants a chance to connect. Minnan Cheng, Vice President at Gao Hua Securities appreciated that the program went beyond technical knowledge. She shares, “This is an excellent project. We delved deep into supply chain management and visited operations in person. But more importantly, we gained friendships with outstanding partners—these deep connections will inject energy into both our professional and personal lives.”