Would You Work Without a WMS or TMS? | Shailen Shukla

Is your supply chain still stuck in the 18th century? Shailen Shukla, General Manager of Almana Logistics, joins Dharmendra Mehta on Retail Re:Mix Stories to discuss supply chain technology, logistics talent and how AI is changing work in the Gulf. Recorded in Muscat, Oman. Shailen calls himself the accidental supply chain guy. He started in sales, moved into cement and aluminium plant operations, built Reliance Logistics from scratch, and has spent 15 years leading logistics across the GCC at Jumbo Electronics, PickTruck, Al Shaya Group and now Almana Logistics. In this conversation, he explains why technology is the fourth wheel of the car, how to bring frontline teams along with new systems, and why training local talent matters as much as hiring experience. He also shares his view on Oman's logistics opportunity, why companies shouldn't block AI tools, and how to tell real AI from AI-washing. Beyond logistics, he talks about the WhatsApp communities he built to help people find jobs, and leaves one piece of advice: refer one CV a day. For anyone working in supply chain, logistics or operations leadership in the GCC and beyond, this is a practical masterclass from someone who has driven the forklift himself. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • Why ERP, WMS and TMS are the basics of any supply chain, not a luxury • How to bring blue-collar teams along when you introduce new technology • Why Oman's ports and corridors are a major opportunity for Gulf logistics • How to build local talent alongside expat teams • Why companies should train their teams on AI tools instead of blocking them • How to spot AI-washing: ask software vendors for proof • How helping people and making referrals builds a network that lasts ------- CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:59 Welcome from Muscat, Oman 02:42 Career journey across industries and the Gulf 04:46 The accidental supply chain guy and learning on the plant floor 09:43 How supply chain priorities differ in the GCC 15:15 Training local talent and building balanced teams 18:44 Oman Logistics Academy and the talent pipeline 25:40 Oman's logistics opportunity and the Gulf's plan B 32:50 The future of supply chain technology 34:24 Why every business needs ERP, WMS and TMS 39:12 AI at work: learning to use AI tools 40:04 Why companies shouldn't block AI tools 43:59 A message to software companies: show the proof 48:31 The personal side: travel, fitness and discipline 54:05 WhatsApp communities, referrals and helping people find jobs Subscribe to Retail Re:Mix Stories, powered by Fynd, for conversations with leaders shaping retail and commerce across the GCC and Southeast Asia. ------- CONNECT Retail Re:Mix, powered by Fynd Join the community: https://www.fynd.com/events/retail-remix LinkedIn:   / retail-remix   Instagram:   / retail.remix   Retail Re:Mix Stories, powered by Fynd Instagram:   / retail.remix   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/45XcruZ... Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Shailen Shukla LinkedIn:   / shailenshukla   Dharmendra Mehta LinkedIn:   / dharmendra-mehta   #supplychain #Logistics #Oman #GCC #AIinSupplyChain