Sustainable from the start: Leveraging shift left in consumer goods

In today’s fast-paced consumer products industry, digital transformation has become a key driver of success. As companies strive to optimize their logistics and supply chain operations, it’s time for IT leaders to turn to the concept of “shift left” to drive efficiency, resilience, and sustainability from the ground up. By embracing a shift left approach and leveraging intelligent logistics management solutions, consumer goods organizations can proactively address challenges, foster collaboration, and enable continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle. 

Mitigate problems before they occur 

Consumer products companies face unique challenges in managing their logistics and supply chain operations. From short product lifecycles and high demand variability to the complexities of omnichannel distribution, these challenges require a proactive and agile approach.  

Traditional product design (new product introduction) often treats logistics and supply chain management as an afterthought, leading to inefficiencies down the line. Shift left takes a different approach.

Shift left is a method used in the design process in which data is leveraged to solve issues earlier. For a more visual explanation, this method shifts problem solving further “left” on the design timeline. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to shift left in logistics and supply chain management. 

By adopting a shift left mindset and integrating logistics and supply chain considerations early in the product design process, consumer products companies can avoid common challenges upfront instead of addressing them as they occur. Shifting left enables organizations to anticipate and mitigate potential issues, design products that are optimized for efficient distribution, and foster collaboration between product development and supply chain teams. Smart digital logistics solutions play a crucial role in enabling this shift, providing the tools and insights needed to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement. 

Priorities for shifting left in consumer goods product design 

So, where do we start? To effectively implement a shift left approach in consumer goods product design, companies should focus on three key areas: 

1. Design for logistics efficiency and supply chain resilience 

•  Consider packaging design and materials that optimize space utilization and minimize waste 

•  Design products that are easy to handle, store, and transport throughout the supply chain 

•  Evaluate the impact of product design decisions on transportation costs and lead times 

• Design products with multiple sourcing options to stay ahead of supplier failures or raw material shortages  

2. Design for sustainability and circularity 

•    Select materials and components that are recyclable, biodegradable, or easily reusable 

•    Design products that can be easily disassembled and repaired to extend their lifecycle 

•    Consider the end-of-life management and reverse logistics implications of product design decisions 

3. Collaborate with logistics and supply chain teams 

•    Involve logistics and supply chain professionals in early stages for a holistic product design process  

•    Establish cross-functional teams that bring together product development, logistics process design, and supply chain expertise 

•    Leverage digital collaboration tools and platforms to enable seamless communication and data sharing 

The difference made by intelligent logistics management solutions 

The shift left approach in product design and logistics management is not complete without smart digital logistics solutions. By providing real-time visibility, advanced analytics, and predictive capabilities, these solutions empower organizations to make data-driven decisions and optimize their logistics and supply chain operations. 

Intelligent logistics management solutions can help you shift left by providing: 

1. Real-time transportation visibility and optimization

•    Monitor and track shipments in real-time to identify potential delays or disruptions 

•    Optimize routes and modes of transportation to minimize costs and improve delivery performance 

2. Predictive demand forecasting and inventory management 

•    Leverage machine learning algorithms to predict future demand patterns and optimize inventory levels 

•    Enable proactive planning and reduce the risk of stockouts or excess inventory  

3. Collaborative supply chain platforms 

•    Provide a centralized platform for sharing data and collaborating with suppliers, logistics providers, and other partners 

•    Enable joint planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives 

By leveraging the capabilities of these solutions and fostering a data-driven culture, IT leaders can enable their organizations to optimize product lifecycle management and drive continuous improvement. 

Measuring the impact of shift left 

To ensure the success of shift left initiatives and the effective use of intelligent digital logistics solutions, it is essential to establish clear performance metrics and regularly monitor progress. Key performance indicators may include: 

• Time-to-market and product development cycle time 

• Logistics costs as a percentage of product cost or revenue 

• On-time and in-full (OTIF) delivery performance 

• Product sustainability and circularity metrics (percentage of recyclable materials or carbon footprint)  

By leveraging data-driven decision-making and continuous monitoring and optimization, consumer goods companies can measure the impact of their shift left initiatives and identify areas for further improvement. 

Keeping sustainability top of mind 

Adopting a shift left approach that integrates logistics and supply chain considerations into product design can provide competitive advantages. By leveraging smart digital logistics solutions, consumer products organizations can optimize their products for efficient distribution, improve supply chain resilience, and drive sustainability. 

IT leaders play a crucial role in driving this transformation, and the time to act is now. By investing in smart digital logistics management solutions, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and establishing a data-driven culture, IT can enable a shift left mindset and help their consumer products organizations thrive in the digital age. 

Want to learn more about sustainable logistics? Join us at Realize LIVE 2025 to dive into the circular economy, PLM, digital logistics, and more. 

You can also download our white paper, “Manufacturing digital transformation strategies and supply chains,” to explore further insights and best practices for driving sustainability in the consumer goods industry.