New Faculty Member Combines 27 Years of SCM Experience, Passion for Teaching

In August, the Poole College of Management introduced Brian Brosnan as one of its four newest faculty members.  

We followed up with Brosnan to learn more about his background in industry, what he’ll be focusing on during his time at Poole, and what he’s most looking forward to in his new role. 

Get to know our newest faculty member in operations and supply chain management:

What is your academic background?

Brosnan: I received a BA in supply chain and logistics management from Michigan State University, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. 

Tell us about your work in industry. How will you apply it in the classroom?

Brosnan: I come to NC State with 27 years of experience in supply chain management. I spent 15 years at Accenture, one of the world’s largest professional services firms in supply chain management, where I led teams to deliver procurement transformation, spend opportunity analyses and strategic sourcing programs.  

I also spent 12 years in supply chain management leadership roles at multiple global companies. I spent six years at Capital Group, an investment management firm, where I led teams to improve technologies and processes for the strategic sourcing and procurement organization. I spent four years with Black and Decker’s Hardware and Home Improvement division working in the sourcing organization on new product development and category management.  I started my career at Rockwell Collins as a buyer of various electronic components.

What interested you about working at Poole?

Brosnan: Poole’s focus on real-world curriculum enables me to apply my operations and supply chain experience in an academic setting. Being able to provide students with practical business experience by coaching them to solve real supply chain challenges for large companies was very attractive.  

Poole has exceptional professors that bring real world practical experience to the classroom. I’m humbled and honored to join such an amazing team.

What will you be teaching?

Brosnan: I’ll be teaching two traditional undergraduate supply chain courses and two supply chain practicum courses. The traditional courses are Procurement and Sourcing, in which students will develop skills in identifying the best suppliers and effectively managing them, and Introduction to Supply Chain Management, a fundamentals course in which students can get a broad overview of the topic.

In the practicum courses, both students and companies benefit from the experience. Students begin applying the knowledge they’ve been accumulating during their time at NC State. It is a chance for them to showcase their skills and make real connections with potential future employers. Companies benefit by having student teams focus on bringing innovative ideas to address business challenges. Executive sponsors and project managers get to know the students over the semester and gauge whether they would be a good fit for the company. Some company project managers were former practicum students themselves, so they know the value the experience can deliver.

What are you most excited about?

Brosnan: I always knew I loved teaching. Throughout my career, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed developing and delivering training courses on various supply chain topics.

Working in supply chain and consulting provided me with the ability to discuss real-world scenarios and work through them with students in the safe environment of academia. When recruiters come to NC State to hire our graduates, I want them to shine.

I’m looking forward to preparing students to be effective supply chain practitioners through lectures, teaching practicums and sharing my experiences. When we are successful in our jobs as teachers, we make a difference in young people’s lives. I’m looking forward to making a difference at NC State.

This post was originally published in Supply Chain Resource Cooperative.