In this episode of Operation Science, host Ed Pound sits down with Silindile Sitole, a leader in supply chain and operations who ensures millions of lenses travel seamlessly from Asia to Africa.

From navigating time zone gaps and language barriers to optimizing freight methods and managing over 50,000 SKUs, Silindile shares her journey of resilience, precision, and leadership in one of Africa’s most complex supply networks.

You’ll hear how her team adapted to port strikes, switched from air to sea freight for cost efficiency, and used data-driven systems like Microsoft D365 MRP to balance inventory across continents.

Silindile also opens up about mentoring new teams, aligning production with capacity, and her thoughts on the future role of AI in supply chain operations.

Whether you’re a manufacturing professional, operations leader, or just fascinated by how global logistics keep the world moving, this episode delivers deep operational insights and leadership lessons you can apply today.

🎧 Listen now to explore how great operations leaders turn complexity into clarity.

Timestamps -

00:00 Introduction by Ed Pound

01:05 Meet Silindile Sitole: Managing global lens supply chains

03:10 Challenges in working with Asian suppliers and time zones

06:40 Switching from air freight to sea freight: Why and how

10:15 Handling port strikes and emergency air shipments

13:05 Communication and customer management during backorders

16:30 Inside the polycarbonate lens production process

20:00 Role of data and MRP in managing 50,000 SKUs

24:40 Expanding operations to Mauritius

28:20 Training new teams and overcoming system differences

32:00 Key KPIs and weekly reporting for operational excellence

37:25 Managing capacity and forecasting with production teams

42:10 Collaboration between finance and supply chain teams

45:20 Thoughts on AI and the future of supply chain automation

49:15 Regulatory challenges, tariffs, and exporting to Africa

53:00 Lessons in leadership, trust, and operational agility

55:30 Closing thoughts: The future of efficiency in operations

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