Benjamin Grant is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Management at Clemson University’s Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business. Benjamin earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics and Master of Science in quantitative analytics from the University of Cincinnati. He then went on to earn his PhD in Operations Management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. His research focus is on healthcare operations management taking analytical, data-driven, and empirical approaches to help evaluate, improve, and design healthcare systems that achieve better outcomes at lower costs (value-based care). In addition to his academic career, he has working in the finance sector developing algorithms and financial models for portfolio allocation and project valuations in the hedge fund and utility-scale solar power sectors. He has also worked as a data scientist consultant for companies including McKinsey and Co., GE, Wabtec, Kraft Heinz, and others implementing optimization models, machine learning, data processing, and data visualization to improve firm decision making with strong outcomes in increased revenue and reduced costs.

Strategic Decisions in Operations (OPNS-454-0)
This course provides a framework and multiple analytic tools to analyze, value, and optimize the strategic asset and process decisions involved in configuring the "operating system" of the firm. Asset decisions include capacity sizing, expansion, flexibility and location. Process decisions include strategic sourcing, operational hedging, new technology and operating model selection. The focus is on value-creating decisions that are grounded in operational reality. A typical week covers one decision introduced first during a lecture, followed by an assignment (some in group, some individual) and then case-discussion. A final group project is due in week 10. There is no final exam.