Jenn Morris on Finding Your Voice and Allies

First, let’s talk about what’s happening in supply chain now and how women leaders can help. New tariffs are already driving ripples across global supply chains, overturning established sourcing strategies and disrupting production timelines. Targeted primarily at electronics, automotive parts, and semiconductors from Asia, these tariffs have many manufacturers halting or renegotiating contracts with long-standing suppliers. While businesses scramble to reroute sourcing to alternative regions like Southeast Asia or Latin America, they’re challenged with unfamiliar customs regulations, longer lead times, and limited capacity, factors collectively limiting inventory flow and increasing costs.

Retailers and manufacturers are wrestling with rising freight and storage expenses while goods pile up at ports pending new compliance documentation or re-exportation. The increasing complexity around import classifications and duties is forcing supply chain teams to invest in trade compliance and legal advisory services to keep shipments moving. In the United States, importers are reporting delivery delays of up to three weeks, especially for parts critical to automotive and consumer electronics production. Meanwhile, ports like Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Savannah are undergoing significant congestion as businesses attempt to front-load shipments ahead of escalating tariffs.

These disruptions are seeping into B2B relationships, with many suppliers renegotiating pricing to account for higher duties and raw material costs. Many companies are accelerating nearshoring efforts, but domestic suppliers aren’t yet scaled to meet new demands, leading to a temporary bottleneck in supply availability. Additionally, smaller companies, without multinationals’ financial buffer or sourcing flexibility, are struggling to adapt, potentially triggering consolidation or market exits altogether. As geopolitical tensions persist, businesses are realizing that the new tariff landscape is a structural shift that demands long-term re-strategizing.

But, there’s always a silver lining. Because rising to meet the moment demands diversity in thought and representation, and the logistics industry has a vibrant and expansive talent pool. Our Let’s Talk Supply Chain Women In Supply Chain™ program, blog, and podcast series feature the powerful impact of growing gender representation. We hope our Women In Supply Chain™ blog series inspires you to bring people from different backgrounds together for deeper and more meaningful collaboration.

There couldn’t be a better time to introduce supply chain powerhouse and thought leader, Jenn Morris. Jenn creates supply chain content and is the founder of Ship Happens, an education company that provides supply chain mapping and services to inform people on the industry and its impact on our lives. She is passionate about helping companies optimize their logistics and operations.