The Operations Science Podcast
The Operations Science Podcast
Podcast Description
The Operations Science Podcast: Authentic Leadership Stories from Operations and Project LeadersWelcome to The Operations Science Podcast, the premier destination for authentic, in-depth conversations with operations and project leaders who share real-life stories of their career triumphs, setbacks, and the invaluable insights gained along the way. Hosted with a passion for uncovering the strategies and mental frameworks that drive success, this podcast is a must-listen for executives, managers, and aspiring leaders in industries such as general manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies, and diagnostic labs. With a focus on leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, each episode delivers actionable takeaways to help you navigate the complexities of modern business landscapes.What to Expect from The Operations Science PodcastOur guests include C-level executives, VPs of operations and supply chain, directors, managers, and thought leaders from trade associations, industry groups, and standards organizations. These seasoned professionals bring a wealth of experience in leadership, decision-making, and execution, offering unique perspectives on operational challenges like rapid change, uncertainty, innovation, evolving workforce expectations, talent development, and organizational culture. Whether you're a forward-thinking executive or a continuous improvement enthusiast, this podcast provides a platform to learn from the best in the field.Each episode dives deep into the personal journeys of high-performance leaders, exploring their successes, failures, and comebacks. From building high-performance teams to driving strategic transformation and maintaining clarity under pressure, our guests share the mental tools, frameworks, and strategies that have enabled them to lead with confidence, resilience, and foresight. This isn’t just another business podcast—it’s a forum for high-level executives to openly discuss the real challenges of operational management and the mental fitness required to thrive at the top.Why Listen to The Operations Science Podcast?Authentic Storytelling: Hear real-life stories from operations and project leaders who have navigated the highs and lows of leadership in dynamic industries.<strong style="background-color: tra...
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores key themes such as leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, focusing on real-world challenges like post-pandemic recovery, workforce transformations, and the application of operational science. Episodes include discussions on Delta Tech Ops' innovations and frameworks for boosting efficiency in diverse industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare.
The Operations Science Podcast: Authentic Leadership Stories from Operations and Project Leaders
Welcome to The Operations Science Podcast, the premier destination for authentic, in-depth conversations with operations and project leaders who share real-life stories of their career triumphs, setbacks, and the invaluable insights gained along the way. Hosted with a passion for uncovering the strategies and mental frameworks that drive success, this podcast is a must-listen for executives, managers, and aspiring leaders in industries such as general manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies, and diagnostic labs. With a focus on leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, each episode delivers actionable takeaways to help you navigate the complexities of modern business landscapes.
What to Expect from The Operations Science Podcast
Our guests include C-level executives, VPs of operations and supply chain, directors, managers, and thought leaders from trade associations, industry groups, and standards organizations. These seasoned professionals bring a wealth of experience in leadership, decision-making, and execution, offering unique perspectives on operational challenges like rapid change, uncertainty, innovation, evolving workforce expectations, talent development, and organizational culture. Whether you’re a forward-thinking executive or a continuous improvement enthusiast, this podcast provides a platform to learn from the best in the field.
Each episode dives deep into the personal journeys of high-performance leaders, exploring their successes, failures, and comebacks. From building high-performance teams to driving strategic transformation and maintaining clarity under pressure, our guests share the mental tools, frameworks, and strategies that have enabled them to lead with confidence, resilience, and foresight. This isn’t just another business podcast—it’s a forum for high-level executives to openly discuss the real challenges of operational management and the mental fitness required to thrive at the top.
Why Listen to The Operations Science Podcast?
- Authentic Storytelling: Hear real-life stories from operations and project leaders who have navigated the highs and lows of leadership in dynamic industries.
- Actionable Insights: Gain practical strategies for overcoming operational challenges, fostering innovation, and building resilient teams.
- Diverse Perspectives: Learn from a wide range of guests, including C-suite executives, industry group leaders, and continuous improvement experts.
- Inspiration for Growth: Discover how top leaders adapt to change, inspire their teams, and make high-stakes decisions with clarity and confidence.
- Industry-Specific Focus: Explore winning practices and leading trends in general manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, MRO, and diagnostic labs.
Who Should Listen?
This podcast is designed for:
- C-level executives and VPs of operations/supply chain seeking to sharpen their leadership skills
- Directors and managers in operations, project management, or continuous improvement roles
- Professionals in general manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace, MRO, and diagnostic labs
- Aspiring leaders looking to learn from the experiences of seasoned executives
- Members of trade associations, industry groups, and standards organizations interested in industry trends and winning practices
How to Listen
The Operations Science Podcast is available on major platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Subscribe today to get notified about new episodes and gain access to a growing library of leadership insights. Follow us on LinkedIn and other social media platforms for daily short-form video clips that deliver quick, actionable tips from our guests.
In this episode of the Operations Science Podcast, host Ed Pound sits down with Stefano Relli, an international leader in continuous improvement at a global precision optical lens manufacturer.
Together, they break down the real-world challenges of running a make-to-order, high-variability production system and how balancing a push-pull system can transform flow, efficiency, and customer responsiveness.
Stefano shares how his multicultural leadership journey shaped his approach to operational excellence, people alignment, and driving change in high-precision environments.
From understanding the complexity of lens manufacturing to managing production capacity, optimizing equipment efficiency, and engaging both frontline teams and senior leadership, this episode dives deep into what it takes to run operations at scale.
Perfect for professionals in manufacturing, operations, Lean systems, continuous improvement, and supply chain, this conversation delivers practical insights backed by global experience.
Topics Covered:
- Handling high-mix, make-to-order challenges
- Implementing push-pull systems
- Cultural intelligence in leadership
- Aligning KPIs with operational goals
- Managing variability and production capacity
- Engaging teams in continuous improvement
- The human side of operational transformation
- Stefano’s personal passion for road cycling
Timestamps –
00:00 Introduction to the Operations Science Podcast
00:49 Meet Stefano Relli: A Leader in Optical Lens Manufacturing
01:57 Stefano’s Multicultural Journey and Its Impact on Leadership
08:24 Challenges of Make-to-Order Systems in Lens Manufacturing
12:46 Understanding the Lens Manufacturing Process
19:44 Implementing Push-Pull Systems for Operational Excellence
25:53 Ensuring Equipment Efficiency
26:42 Managing Production Capacity
28:31 Engaging Leadership in Continuous Improvement
34:20 Aligning People and Processes
35:26 Personal Journey and Influences
41:34 The Joy of Road Cycling
43:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
#OperationsScience
#ManufacturingExcellence
#ContinuousImprovement
#OpticalLensManufacturing
#LeanManufacturing
#MakeToOrder
#PushPullSystem
#OperationalExcellence
#SupplyChain
#LeadershipInManufacturing
Disclaimer
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