EP 54 - Grady Health's Kevin Gordon On The Back-To-Basics Approach To Rebuild Supply Chain Credibility

When Kevin Gordon joined Grady Health System four years ago, he inherited a supply chain function that lacked credibility, documented processes, and modern technology. Before asking for a single dollar, he ran a structured assessment across four pillars: people, processes, finances, and technology. That sequence mattered. Everything that followed, including a full ERP migration from PeopleSoft to Workday, a new consolidated service center (CSC), and a warehouse management system (WMS) implementation, came from the credibility built by getting the basics right first.

What makes this episode worth your time is the specific sequence Kevin used to turn supply chain into a funded, growing function inside one of the most operationally complex health systems in the country. He also shares how a chance hallway conversation with the VP of Pharmacy turned a CFO-rejected CSC proposal into a project with a projected $5-7M revenue upside for pharmacy.

Topics discussed:

• Four-pillar supply chain assessment: people, process, finances, and technology

• Rebuilding credibility through consistent execution before pursuing major investments

• How a pharmacy space-sharing partnership rescued a rejected CSC business case

• Migrating from PeopleSoft to Workday while keeping operations running

• Implementing a WMS that ties into Workday as the "voice of truth" for supply chain

• Selling a 3-5 year vision to recruit directors in a high-change environment

• Advocating for a dedicated safety net collaborative and the first national convening

• Managing tariff volatility and Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement pressure as a nonprofit safety net

Get in touch with Kevin Gordon:

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Get in touch with your host, Eric:

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