Supply Chain: Why Oman, Why Now

About the episode

Is your supply chain still stuck in the 18th century?

Shailen Shukla, General Manager of Almana Logistics, joins Dharmendra Mehta on Retail Re:Mix Stories to discuss supply chain technology, logistics talent and how AI is changing work in the Gulf. Recorded in Muscat, Oman.

Shailen calls himself the accidental supply chain guy. He started in sales, moved into cement and aluminium plant operations, built Reliance Logistics from scratch, and has spent 15 years leading logistics across the GCC at Jumbo Electronics, PickTruck, Al Shaya Group and now Almana Logistics.

In this conversation, he explains why technology is the fourth wheel of the car, how to bring frontline teams along with new systems, and why training local talent matters as much as hiring experience. He also shares his view on Oman's logistics opportunity, why companies shouldn't block AI tools, and how to tell real AI from AI-washing.

Beyond logistics, he talks about the WhatsApp communities he built to help people find jobs, and leaves one piece of advice: refer one CV a day.

For anyone working in supply chain, logistics or operations leadership in the GCC and beyond, this is a practical masterclass from someone who has driven the forklift himself.

About the guest

About Shailen Shukla

Shailen Shukla is the General Manager of Al Mana Logistics in Oman. He has spent 15 years in the GCC leading supply chain and logistics operations at companies including Jumbo Electronics, PickTruck and Al Shaya Group, after earlier roles at Reliance Logistics. He also runs active logistics communities that connect professionals across Oman, Africa, Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.

About Al Mana Logistics

Al Mana Logistics is a logistics and warehousing company in Oman, with a hub at Khazaen Economic City in Barka, close to Muscat. The facility has about 24,000 pallet locations across two warehouses, including a multi-tenant facility with 12 leasable units for 3PL operators and industrial tenants, and provision for cold storage.

About your host, Dharmendra Mehta

Dharmendra is the Managing Director, MEA at Fynd and a retail-tech veteran with 20+ years. From startups to global giants, he’s all about bold moves, smarter tech, and building brands that mean business