Jan Fransoo

Professor of Operations and Logistics Management | Industrial Engineer | Tilburg University | TU/e | MIT | Author of ”Reaching 50 Million Nanostores” | Management Science Editor | The World Games | @proflog.bsky.social

’s-Hertogenbosch, North Brabant, Netherlands

About

As a Professor of Operations and Logistics Management at Tilburg University's School of Economics and Management, I am deeply committed to advancing supply chain knowledge through rigorous research and real-world collaboration. With affiliations to top engineering schools such as MIT and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), I combine academic excellence with practical insights to address today’s most pressing logistics and operations challenges. My work covers both theory and practice, with a strong focus on creating solutions that drive societal progress. My co-edited books "Sustainable Supply Chains" and "Reaching 50 Million Nanostores: Retail Distribution in Emerging Megacities" reflect my commitment to exploring innovative strategies for global supply chain improvement, particularly in emerging markets. Collaborating with startups, multinational corporations, and governments, I specialize in grocery retail operations, traditional retail channels in developing economies, sustainable operations, supply chain dynamics, and container logistics. My expertise integrates mathematical models, human behavior, and systems thinking to tackle complex challenges holistically. Beyond academia, my 30 years as a sport administrator for korfball demonstrate my belief in teamwork and inclusivity, values that resonate throughout my professional endeavors. If we’ve connected or worked together, I’d love to stay in touch. For others interested in my insights, feel free to follow my updates on supply chain and logistics innovation.

Experience

  • Professor of Operations and Logistics Management at Tilburg University
    Nov 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 8 mos

  • Visiting Professor at Politecnico di Milano
    Mar 2026 - Present · 4 mos

  • Eindhoven University of Technology (22 yrs 10 mos)
    • Professor (by courtesy) of Operations Management & Logistics
      Jan 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 6 mos

      Courtesy position in the School of Industrial Engineering. Advising graduate students and research collaboration with junior faculty.

    • Professor of Operations Management & Logistics
      Sep 2003 - Dec 2017 · 14 yrs 4 mos

    • Dean, TU/e Graduate School
      Jan 2014 - Oct 2017 · 3 yrs 10 mos

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (9 yrs 6 mos)
    • Research Affiliate
      Mar 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 4 mos

    • Visiting Professor, MIT Global Scale Network
      Jul 2017 - Present · 9 yrs

      Ad-hoc Teaching and lecturing in various programs of the MIT Global Scale Network, including the MIT (Cambridge, US) GCLog Program, the MIT (Cambridge, US) SCM Master (full-time and blended) program, the ZLC (Zaragoza, Spain) PhD Summer Academy, and the LCL (Luxembourg) SCM Master program.

    • Advisory Board Member, Center for Transportation and Logistics
      2017 - Present · 9 yrs 6 mos

  • Advisory Board Member at WOLIZ
    Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos