Bio

Yves Sagaert is head of the research group of Predictive AI and Digital Shift at VIVES University of Applied Sciences in Belgium and director of Belgium’s Forecasting Society, BELFORS. He is a researcher at KU Leuven and an Adjunct Professor at the IÉSEG School of Management in Lille (France). He strives to integrate business forecasting with real-world decisions and constraints, bringing forecast models closer to their cost impact. His research focuses on incorporating market intelligence in demand forecasting through leading indicators and the effects on supply chain management, and especially on the presence of limited historical business data. His expertise lies in supply chain management, leading indicators, business forecasting, inventory, variable selection, and shrinkage methods.

My main research focus is on demand forecasting for supply chain management. Here, traditional models typically extraploate historical demand data to forecast future expected demand. However, external events can have a big impact. The business setting is getting more volatile and the impact of external events is increasing. I research how to extend the traditional approach with Leading Indicators. While there is a lot of external data available, the question arises how to select and include this information in a statistical forecasting model which isn’t a black box. This model should be comprehensive and transparent, so that business users can understand the contribution of each piece of information.

Experience

• Strategic Innovation Manager for Harbour \& Railway [2017 - 2020] Arcelor Mittal
• S&OP Forecasting Consultant [2013 - 2017] Solventure

Education

• Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research [2013 - 2017] Ghent University
• Master in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research [2011 - 2013] Ghent University
• Master in Electrotechnics and Automation [2007 - 2011] HOWEST University of Applied Sciences