Robert J. Trent

Robert J. Trent, Ph.D.

Co-Director—Center for Value Chain Research

and George N. Beckwith Professor of Management

Dr. Robert Trent is the co-director of the Center for Value Chain Research, the supply chain management program director, and the George N. Beckwith professor of management at Lehigh University, where he teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He holds a B.S. degree in materials logistics management from Michigan State University, an M.B.A. degree from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. in purchasing/operations management from Michigan State University.

Prior to his return to academia, Bob worked for the Chrysler Corporation. His industrial experience includes assignments in production scheduling, packaging engineering with responsibility for new part packaging set-up and the purchase of nonproductive materials, distribution planning, and operations management at the Boston regional parts distribution facility. He has also worked on numerous special industry projects. Bob stays active with industry members through research projects, consulting, and training services. He has consulted with or provided training services to over 40 government agencies and corporations and has worked directly with companies on dozens of research visits.

Bob has authored or co-authored dozens of articles appearing in business publications. He has also made presentations at numerous conferences and seminars. His coauthored study on cross-functional sourcing team effectiveness was published through the CAPS Research in 1993; a coauthored research report on purchasing/sourcing trends was published through CAPS in 1995; a third CAPS project that investigated how organizations reduce the effort and transactions required to purchase low value goods and services was published in 1999; and a coauthored CAPS Research study on global sourcing was published in 2006. He is also the coauthor of a textbook titled Purchasing and Supply Chain Management and the author of the book Strategic Supply Management—Creating the Next Source of Competitive Advantage. His book, End-to-End Lean Management—A Guide to Complete Supply Chain Improvement was published in 2008. Another book, Managing Global Supply and Risk—Best Practices, Concepts, and Strategies,” coauthored with Lew Roberts, was published in 2009. His next book, Next-Level Supply Management Excellence—Your Straight to the Bottom Line Roadmap, co-authored with Robert Rudzki, was published in 2011.

Since arriving at Lehigh University Bob has been awarded the Class of 1961 Professorship, the Eugene Mercy Professorship, and the George N. Beckwith Professorship. Dr. Trent is also active with the ISM, serving for many years as the Professional Development Director of the NAPM of the Lehigh Valley. He is currently a member of the national board of directors for APICS. He and his family reside in Lopatcong Township, New Jersey.