With three decades of experience across aftermarket logistics, manufacturing, and international operations, Yogesh Sarin serves as Director of Supply Chain for South Asia at Dell Technologies. Known for his strategic thinking and ethical leadership, Yogesh shares his lessons from the pandemic, his outlook on AI and sustainability, and what future-ready supply chain leadership truly looks like.
How did you get into your current role?
I’m a mechanical engineer and a Six Sigma Black Belt with 30 years of experience in supply chain. My journey includes transforming supply chains, leading greenfield start-ups, and managing complex procurement and logistics across consumer electronics and telecom. My leadership style focuses on agility, ethics, and collaboration, and I’ve had the opportunity to build and mentor cross-cultural teams for global engagements.
What is your current role and responsibilities?
I lead aftermarket service logistics and repair operations across South Asia, ensuring that customer commitments are met consistently. My teams, spread across India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia, work together to streamline logistics and deliver efficient, timely service—boosting both satisfaction and trust.
How does a typical workday look for you?
I start my day at 5 a.m. with meditation and exercise, then plan the day with a quick scan of my to-do list. I use my commute to catch up on news, emails, or quick calls. My workday includes collaborating with internal and external partners, solving bottlenecks, and identifying opportunities to improve the customer experience. I end the day reflecting on what could have been done better.
What lessons did you learn from the pandemic?
The pandemic exposed the fragility of global supply chains. It taught us the importance of diversification, multi-sourcing, disaster planning, and agility. Companies must embrace flexibility, invest in tech for real-time visibility, and build stronger supplier relationships to weather future disruptions.
What tools or technologies are you most excited about right now?
AI is driving a major shift. Legacy systems often fail to support the complexity of modern logistics. The future lies in fully integrated, automated, data-driven platforms. Generative AI and agentic AI are revolutionizing decision-making, helping companies pivot quickly and maintain customer satisfaction. Integration is key—siloed systems no longer cut it.
How do you prioritize sustainability and ethics in your operations?
We actively reduce packaging and use sustainable materials. We work closely with partners to implement eco-friendly logistics and warehouse solutions. Sustainability is embedded in our operations—helping us meet environmental goals while driving operational efficiency and long-term value.
How do you stay informed about supply chain trends and innovations?
Whenever possible, I engage with industry forums, attend conferences, and read thought leadership and publications. These channels provide invaluable external perspectives and help me stay on top of the latest innovations and best practices.
What key skills should modern supply chain executives have?
Executives need to be strong in risk management, data-driven decision-making, tech literacy, sustainability, and leadership. Continuous learning is essential. Stay curious and open to change—that’s how you stay ahead.
What trends will shape supply chains in the next few years?
- Digitization and real-time visibility
- Cloud-based platforms for agile operations
- Automation and AI-driven analytics
- Stronger risk management for volatile environments
- Circular supply chains, focusing on reuse and sustainability
As uncertainty becomes the norm, the most resilient supply chains will be those that adapt fast and make smart use of limited resources.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in supply chain?
Stay curious. Build your base in different supply chain domains, develop problem-solving skills, and stay updated on tech and trends. Join industry forums, and most importantly, learn to embrace uncertainty with passion. It’s that constant challenge that makes supply chain so exciting.
Yogesh Sarin is Director of Supply Chain, South Asia at Dell Technologies, where he leads service logistics across the region. You can connect with him on LinkedIn to follow more of his insights on supply chain strategy, technology, and leadership.
