Office: 371 RBC Phone: 610-758-4952 Fax: 610-758-6941 Email: rjt2@lehigh.edu Managing Products and Services Integrated Logistics and Transportation Management Strategic Supply Management Supply and Cost Management Creating a Lean Supply Chain Effective Team Leadership Case Analysis

Robert J. Trent, Ph.D. holds the George N. Beckwith '32 Professorship.

Robert Trent is the supply chain management program director and a 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 spent seven years with 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.

He has authored or co-authored articles appearing in the International Journal of Purchasing and Materials Management, the Journal of Supply Chain Management, the International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Total Quality Management, Supply Chain Management Review, Inside Supply Management, The Purchasing Handbook, Academy of Management Executive, Sloan Management Review, Business Horizons, and Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal.  Dr. Trent has also presented numerous topics at 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, now in its third edition, and the author of the 2007 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 Summer 2008. 

Since arriving at Lehigh 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 and his family reside in Lopatcong Township, New Jersey.

Research Interests

• Global sourcing
• Cross-functional teaming
• Organizational design

Links

Curriculum Vitae

 

   

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