Steve F. Tracey
Professor of Practice, Center for Supply Chain Research
Department Center for Supply Chain Research
Office Address 433A Business Building | University Park, PA 16802
Phone Number
814-865-8032
Email Address
sft1@psu.edu
Steve F. Tracey
Professor of Practice, Center for Supply Chain Research
Department Center for Supply Chain Research
Office Address 433A Business Building | University Park, PA 16802
Phone Number
814-865-8032
Email Address
sft1@psu.edu
I am a Professor of Practice in the Department of Supply Chain Management & Information Systems (SC&IS) at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University.
I have also served (2014-2024) as the Executive Director leading Penn State’s Center for Supply Chain Research® (CSCR®), where I was responsible for one of the premier research centers in the creation and dissemination of new knowledge in supply chain management. Founded in 1989, the Center also resides within the Smeal College of Business and partners with outstanding organizations to create a community of practice dedicated to shaping global supply chain management theory and execution.
I serve on both the management and leadership committees for the Smeal College of Business and was a member of the Executive Committee for Strategic Procurement Transformation for the University until 2023.
In 2020-21 I served as co-chair for the Health Resources Task Force, a group responsible for designing and implementing the University's planning, testing, and contact tracing response to the Covid-19 pandemic along with Dr. Kevin Black, Dean of the College of Medicine here at Penn State.
I am on the advisory board for the Penn State Center for Medical Innovation (CMI), on the strategic core team for the newly formed Industrial Biotechnology Institute and was formerly on the board for the Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research (MCOR).
I served on the Advisory Council for Discover (2017-2023), a cross-industry organization that catalyzes the advancement of diverse constituencies in the supply chain. I was the 2022 recipient of the Lighthouse Award and advisor of the year.
Outside of my duties at Penn State, I am on the boards of StorytellerFx, and Chainparency (innovative blockchain technologies) a subsidiary of the GoChain Foundation. I was formerly on the Board of Directors of West Chester Protective Gear from 2011 until 2018 when the company was acquired by new ownership.
Before moving to my current role at Penn State, I was SVP of Global Supply Chain for over 15 years at Standard Textile Company, Inc. - the world's largest marketer and manufacturer of institutional textiles. As the supply chain leader, my team and I were responsible for the global sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, distribution, customer service, and logistics operations of the company.
I've had a diverse global background directing operations with full P&L responsibilities in more than 14 countries and am considered a commodity market expert in the Textile industry.
My teams at Standard Textile were responsible for the global sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, and logistics operations of the company. As a champion for developing talent and creating high-performing teams, Tracey's group was instrumental in implementing forward-looking processes to manage Standard Textile's service levels and operations to world-class standards. His teams were consistently recognized as one of the best-in-class textile industry providers.
As an enterprise strategist, I designed and implemented the organizational structures needed for a high-performance, integrated global supply chain and developed an elite leadership team for the company's rapidly expanding operations. For the time he was at Standard Textile, the company had a CAGR above 12%.
Before joining Standard Textile, I was the director of Materials and Distribution for American Tool Companies, Inc., a global market leader in the manufacture of hand tools and hand tool accessories.
I am also an active member of AASCM, and CSCMP, where I recently served on the research strategies committee.
I am a retired U.S. Army officer, serving from 1986 to 2002, both in active duty and reserve positions.
I earned my BS in Finance from Penn State and an MBA from Duke University.
My Expertise:
Supply Chain Strategic Planning and Implementation
The intersection of Strategy and Technologies in the Supply Chain space with a focus on emerging tech (i.e. Blockchain).
Global Enterprise Leadership
Senior Executive Coaching and Development
Succession Planning
Distribution/Operations/Planning
Process Improvement/Efficiency - Lean Manufacturing, 5S+1
Process and Product Innovation
Current Research and Recent Publications:
Tracey, S., Ruamsook, K., Smith G. (2022, January) “Cultivating Relentless Supply Chain Agility: From Concept to Reality at IBM.” Supply Chain Management Review (SCMR), PGS 14-21
Tracey, S., Ruamsook, K. BLOCKCHAIN Fundamentals, and Enterprise Applications - Part I (2021, November)
Healthcare Supply, Distribution, and Inventory Systems (working paper).
Reusable Medical Device Supply Chains in a Pandemic Setting (working paper).
Tracey, S., Ruamsook, K., Smith G. (2021, August). The Spectrum of Supply Chain Agility.
Purdum, S., Tracey, S., Ruamsook, K. (2020, June). Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Supply Chain Mobility – The Transport and Logistics Industry’s Balancing Act of Keeping People Safe and Goods Moving
Langley, L., Tracey, S., Owens, J., Ruamsook, K., (2018, August). The "Last Yard" - One Further Step in Making Sure that Customers' Needs are Met.
Ruamsook, K., Tracey, S., Bechtel, L., (2017, July). Technology Theme Identification and Application Assessment Framework across Multi-modal Logistics Sectors.
Langley, J., Tracey, S., (2017, June). Pennsylvania Proposal to Remove Sales and Use Tax Exemption on Commercial Warehousing and Storage Services.
Henderson, J., Thomas, J., Tracey, S. (2017, January). The Impact of Digital Technology on Healthcare Supply Chain.
Bechtel, L., Colgan, C., Ruamsook, K., Tracey, S. (2016, May 5). The MRO Revolution: Leaders, Evolvers, and Trailers.
Ruamsook, K., Tracey, S., (2015, December). The Natural Gas Supply Chain - Onshore Well-Site Processes and Freight Logistics
Ruamsook, K., Tracey, S., (2015, July). The Natural Gas Supply Chain - An Integrated Process Framework
Additonal Publications List
Faggella, D. (2017, May). IT Procurement for New and Emerging Technologies. Huffington Post.
Tracey, S. (2017, March 1). Got Best Practices in MRO Management. http://www.mypurchasingcenter.com/files/6314/8641/4472/MPC_podcast_Steve_Tracey.MP3
McCrea, B. (2017, January 12). Measuring Value of the Supply Chain Executive Education. http://www.scmr.com/article/measuring_value_of_the_supply_chain_executive_education
Burris Logistics Team. (2016, November 23). Supply Chain is a People Business. http://blog.burrislogistics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/burris-food-logistics-magazine.pdf
Tracey, S. (2016, July 19). The Real Value of Supply Chain Certification. http://www.scmr.com/article/the_real_value_of_supply_chain_certification
Modern Materials Handling (2016, June 2). MRO Research: Leading, Evolving or Trailing? http://www.mmh.com/article/leading_evolving_or_trailing
Moore, D., Tracey, S. (2016, May 20). SDI Partner Perspective Series with Steve Tracey. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/partner-perspective-steve-tracey-christopher-moore
Bechtel, L., Colgan, C., Ruamsook, K., Tracey, S. (2016, May 5). The MRO Revolution: Leaders, Evolvers and Trailers. http://www.scmr.com/article/the_mro_revolution_leaders_evolvers_and_trailers
Maidenberg, M. (2016, March 03). Project44's co-founders think their startup will be a unicorn. Really. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20160303/ISSUE01/160229849?X-IgnoreUserAgent=1
Todd, A., Tracey, S. (2016, February 05). Using Human Capital Strategies to Drive Supply Chain Excellence. http://www.sdcexec.com/article/12157059/using-human-capital-strategies-to-drive-supply-chain-excellence
McCrea, B. (2016, February 04). 4 Innovative Supply Chain Education Trends. http://www.scmr.com/article/4_innovative_supply_chain_education_trends
Elder, A. (2015, June 04). Penn State Smeal launches online boot camp to help close supply chain skills gap. http://news.smeal.psu.edu/news-archive/2015/penn-state-launches-online-boot-camp-to-help-close-supply-chain-skills-gap
Bowman, R. J. (2015, December 04). Virtual vs. Actual: The New Age of Supply-Chain Education. http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/single-article-page/article/virtual-vs-actual-the-new-age-of-supply-chain-education/
Todd, A., Tracey, S. (2015, September 24). CorpU: Achieving End-to-End Supply Chain Performance. http://corpu.com/xchange/events/upcoming/achieving-end-end-supply-chain-performance/follow-up/
Page, P., Lorretta, C. (2015, August 11). Weaker Yuan to Change China's Supply Chain Math. http://www.wsj.com/articles/weaker-yuan-to-change-chinas-supply-chain-math-1439324479
Weaver, D. (2015, June 15). Closing the Talent Gap: Penn State University Creates Supply Chain Boot Camp. http://www.inventory-and-supplychain-blog.com/closing-the-talent-gap-penn-state-university-creates-supply-chain-boot-camp/
Leininger, K. (2015, January 21). Leading Healthcare Channel Management Software Company joins as Corporate Sponsor of World-Class Research and Education Organization. http://www.integrichain.com/integrichain-partners-with-penn-state-center-for-supply-chain-research/
Recent Speaking Engagements
Tracey, S. (2021, December) Speaker (main stage) at the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Summit, Orlando, FL, December 2021 in a panel on Sustainability as a Driver for Digital Transformation.
Tracey. S., Sultemeier, C., et al (2017, July). Expeditionary Sustainment Superiority from Factory to Foxhole: Back to the Basics of Blocking and Tackling - The Association of the United States Army Institute of Land Warfare: Arlington, VA
Tracey, S. (2017, January). Got Best Practices in MRO Management? (S. Avery, Interviewer)
Tracey, S. & Sheehan, H. (2017). Managing Global Supply Chains - Developing Strategic Supply Chain Leaders. DSSCL. State College: Pennsylvania State University.
Tracey, S. (2017). Leadership in Managing Supply Chains. DSSCL. State College: Pennsylvania State University.
Tracey, S., Bechtel, L. (2017). Supply Chain Analytics. Supply Chain Leader's Forum. State College: Pennsylvania State University.
Tracey, S. (2016). Academia Perspective on Logistics. CLX Logistics. State College.
Tracey, S. (2016). Top Supply Chain Trends. Georgetown University.
Tracey, S., Bechtel, L. (2016). Keys to Successful Sales and Operations Planning. State College: Pennsylvania State University.
Tracey, S., Bechtel, L. (2016). Supply Chain Security and Risk. Supply Chain Leader's Forum. State College: Pennsylvania State University.
Tracey, S. (2016). Omni-Channel Distribution and Sustainable Procurement. W&RSETA. State College: Pennsylvania State University.
Tracey, S. (2016). Omni-Channel - The Days of Talking About It Are Over. Parcel Forum. Grapevine, TX.
Tracey, S. (2016). Global Supply Chain Trends. CLX Logistics 5th Annual Customer Conference. Philadelphia, PA
Tracey, S. (2016). Driving Supplier Innovation. Supply Chain Leader's Forum. State College: Pennsylvania State University.
Tracey, S., Bechtel, L. (2016, February 9). APICS - CPIM - A Professional Certification Comparison. State College, PA.
Expertise
Innovative supply-chain technologies
Global business activities
Metrics
Leadership
Education
MBA, Global Business, Duke University, 2008
MBA, Global Business, Duke University, 2008
BS, Finance (Economics / Accounting), The Pennsylvania State University, 1986
Courses Taught
SCM 450W – Design and Mgt Sc (3)
Strategic design and management of supply chains. SCM 450W Strategic Design and Management of Supply Chains (3) This course is about the strategic design and effective operation of supply chains. It will help prepare you for supply chain management positions in manufacturing, distributing, and other service firms including providers of logistics services. The course focuses on the definition, as well as the application, of a single logic that guides the management of all the supply chain activities. Information decision support systems, primarily computer-based, provide the foundation for this logic. Because the determination of inventory locations and the control of inventory levels play a key role in this logic, we spend considerable time on these subjects. The last section of the course covers ways to lead and organize people to manage cross-firm and cross-functional relationships effectively. After completing this course, students should have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to: -Articulate the process perspective and the total systems view of supply chain management, the impact of systems thinking on firm performance, and the nature of relationships supply chain networks. -Quantify the effect of strategic initiatives such as postponement and risk pooling on the financial performance of the firm, as well as on supply chain performance. -Use and apply selected quantitative tools useful in implementing supply chain strategies. -Explain the complex nature of human interaction needed to successfully introduce supply chain concepts in the firm.This is the prescribed capstone course for the Supply Chain and Information Systems major. It builds upon the fundamental supply chain knowledge, skills, and abilities developed in foundation and intermediate courses. Students must complete SCM 421 before taking this course. SCM 450W is a writing-intensive course. In addition to written assignments encompassing case studies, hands-on exercises, and examinations, student evaluations include oral presentations and class participation.
PSU 006 – Bus 1st-Yr Smr (1)
Facilitate student's adjustment to the high expectations, demanding workload, increased academic liberties, and other aspects of the transition to college life. PSU 006 First Year Seminar in Business Administration (1-3 credits) This course is designed to assist students in examining several areas of the college transition: awareness of self and others; career exploration; majors offered in the Smeal College; and current issues in business. The skills learned in this course will be presented as life-long skills, applicable in the university setting and the corporate environment. The nature of the course requires cooperation, participation, and interaction. This course facilitates learning through experience, lectures and class discussion.The course contains assignments dealing with: 1). Leadership 2). Ethics 3). Celebrating Diversity 4). Diversity in the Workplace 5). Community Service 6). Major and Career Exploration 7). Time Management and Goal Setting 8). Business Case Study
SCM 801 – Perf Metrics & Fin Analysis (3)
Performance metrics are essential for effective planning and management of supply chain operations. Clear understanding of the relationship between supply chain decisions/initiatives and the firm's primary financial measures is an increasingly important competency for all supply chain managers. SCM 801 provides professional-level coverage of essential supply chain performance and financial metrics applied both within the firm and across the extended enterprise. The course helps students develop the ability to choose and utilize the correct set of performance and financial metrics for varying supply chain decision-making situations. Students learn how to leverage key supply chain decision variables to impact performance and financial metrics. Students also learn to apply appropriate accounting tools and techniques and conduct financial analyses to evaluate and optimize supply chain decisions. Topics addressed include inventory and financial metrics, measures of supply chain velocity, working capital, ratio analysis, the Strategic Profit Model, total cost of ownership, the Balanced Scorecard, and the SCOR Model.Additionally, the course will utilize various financial tools and techniques (such as Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Ratio Analysis, Breakeven Point Analysis, and Cost Volume Profit Analysis) to demonstrate the impact of supply chain principles and concepts on the performance of a firm.Students successfully completing the course will be able to:- Identify, describe, and measure the essential metrics that are the key indicators of supply chain performance, particularly as that performance relates to financial performance of the firm and the extended enterprise- Identify and assess the perspectives of alternative stakeholders that analyze and use financial metrics and statements- Utilize various tools/models (working capital evaluation, ratio analysis, etc.) to calculate, analyze, and gain better insights on the interplay between supply chain decision making and financial performance- Utilize discounted cash flow models to evaluate supply chain investment proposals- Describe the role of supply chain costs on the income statement and balance sheet of a firm while understanding different types of costs, cost drivers, and breakeven point evaluation (BEP)- Demonstrate understanding of how the sales and operations plan is developed and its role in supply chain processes- Compare various viewpoints regarding performance metrics and the constraints that inhibit effective implementation and utilization of those metrics
SCM 301 – Sup Chn Mgt (3)
Management of logistics/supply chain processes. Not available to baccalaureate business students in Smeal. Not available to baccalaureate business students in Smeal.
SCM 546 – Strat Procuremnt (2)
Development of procurement and supply management strategies to support synchronized supply chains.
SCIS 596 – Individual Studies (Variable)
Creative projects, including nonthesis research, that are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses. A specific title may be used in each instance and will be entered on the student's transcript.
SCM 496 – Indep Studies (Variable)
Creative projects, including research and design, that are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses.
SCM 404 – Dem Fulfil (3)
Analysis of demand fulfillment and the role of distribution operations management in the supply chain. SCM 404 Demand Fulfillment (3)This course introduces the student to how customer demand is managed and how subsequent orders are filled in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets. Topics focus on the demand fulfillment process, which encompasses flows of goods, information, and funds from the moment a business receives an order from a customer until all requirements for the order are satisfied in full. These topics include: *role of demand management and distribution operations in the supply chain*transportation management*distribution center processes *inventory control and order management elements*facility costing and productivity analysis*strategic demand management and distribution operations issues in the supply chain.Both theoretical and quantitative perspectives will be offered on these topics. Additionally, each topic will be addressed from strategic and financial perspectives. After completing this course, students will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to: *Explain the role of demand management in the supply chain*Explain the role of distribution operations in demand management*Determine the strategic and financial impacts of demand management and distribution operations management*Articulate the role of information systems in demand management and distribution operations management*Use quantitative techniques to analyze supply chain processes*Describe related system software. This is one of three prescribed foundation courses for the Supply Chain and Information Systems major for which SCM 301 Supply Chain Management is a prerequisite. This course also satisfies the prerequisite for SCM 421 Supply Chain Modeling and Analysis. Student evaluations are based on individual and group homework assignments and computer-lab exercises, as well as on at least three written examinations.
SC&IS 820 – Strategic Procurement
SCM 820: Strategic Procurement – Analysis, planning, and management of domestic and international procurement and supply activities. SCM 820 provides an overview of supply management in the supply chain context.
SCM 820 – Strategic Procurement (4)
Strategic planning for the source/buy process, including developing andmanaging supplier relationships, global issues, and e-procurement.