Training

Training

Our profession is advancing rapidly and changing almost daily, posing new challenges to the supply management professional. As our industry evolves, so does professional training. We are the only supply management association that provides training in all areas of our supply management profession.

Please visit our Education Calendar for upcoming events! 


We are in the process of updating our training portfolio. Below outlines the classes available on-site or via Zoom:

  •      "Defending Against Supplier Price Increases"  (2 hours)
  •      "Best Practices in Collaborative Cost Reduction with Suppliers"  (2 hours)
  •      "Effective Negotiations" - Several options
  •      "Principles of Legal Contracting" (4 hours)
  •      "Writing a Best Practice Statement of Work" (4 hours)

If you are interested in any of these classes or have other training needs, contact Randy Christoffersen, Executive Director, or 612.801.8796.

 

Don't forget our monthly Professional Development Meetings!

Upcoming Events

March

24

2026

MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only

Creating Resilience and Sustainability: Navigating the Impact of Tariffs and Disruption

In this interactive presentation, trusted trade authority Tom Cook discusses the uncertainty and disruption in today’s global supply chain, outlining the solutions available for tariff mitigation and risk and spend management. The focus includes alternative sourcing, nearshoring, drawback, Foreign-Trade Zones, tariff engineering, tariff classification reviews, freight options, freight consolidation, Incoterms, and robust demand planning. Learn how to apply a “landed cost” approach to managing cost and risk: assessing and analyzing all costs related to the supply chain, from acquisition, freight, customs clearance, duties and taxes, to inland freight, warehousing, and distribution.

Learning objectives include:

  • Understand the tariff environment: the context, the current status, and likely direction for 2026.
  • Understand the impacted categories, products and processes and understand your options for mitigation.
  • Understand the importance of trade compliance and risks and costs of non-compliance.
  • Understand which tariff mitigation strategies can bolster supply chain resilience in the long term, and how to identify what will work for your company.

  • Online

    April

    16

    2026

    MEMBER WEBINAR
    Member Only

    Member Orientation

    This webinar provides knowledge regarding the many benefits that come with being a part of the ISM community. Join us and learn about the essential tools, vibrant community, and exceptional learning that enhances your professional development. You'll also gain insight into the array of programs, services, and resources that are available to you through your membership.

    Online
    Megan Hays

    April

    21

    2026

    Chapter Meeting

    ISM-Twin Cities: AI in Materials Management

    Seeing Shortages Before They Hit: AI in Materials Management 

    Most materials issues don’t start as emergencies; they start as weak signals that get lost in the noise of daily execution. This session examines how the application of AI to support proactive materials management issue resolution is changing how risks are detected, prioritized, and addressed, helping supply chain teams surface problems earlier, focus on the decisions that truly matter, and stay ahead of shortages and excess before they disrupt production.

    We are pleased to welcome Nicolas Moreno-Cely, Senior Director of Materials Planning and Operational Excellence at Daikin and Richard Lebovitz, Chief Strategy Officer at LeanDNA as featured speakers for this session. Together, they will combine industry research and real-world experience to examine how supply chain teams are applying AI to proactively identify, prioritize, and resolve materials issues before they impact production or customer delivery.

    Presentation Outline

    The Materials Management Problem Hiding in Plain Sight
    A look at why materials issues surface too late - how disconnected signals and manual prioritization slow response and increase supply execution risk

    Applying AI to Proactive Materials Management Issue Resolution
    How the application of AI is changing the way materials issues are detected, ranked, and addressed - shifting teams from reacting to disruptions to resolving root causes earlier.

    What the Data Is Revealing Across Global Manufacturers
    Richard will share insights from a recent study of global manufacturing leaders, highlighting where materials management breaks down and where teams are gaining an advantage.

    Execution in Practice: Materials Management at Daikin
    A moderated discussion with Nico on how Daikin approaches materials planning and execution - focusing on the signals they pay attention to, how decisions are made, and the impact on inventory, production flow, and delivery performance.

    Audience Q&A
    An open discussion with attendees to explore challenges, lessons learned, and practical takeaways that can be applied across manufacturing environments.

    Who should attend?
    This session is designed for supply chain and operations practitioners and leaders looking to strengthen supply chain execution, improve decision-making on the factory floor, and connect day-to-day materials management to broader business outcomes. If any of these challenges sound familiar, you will not want to miss this session!

    Location
    Daikin Applied
    3033 Campus Drive
    Plymouth, MN 55441 

    Sponsor: 700 ISM—Twin Cities, Inc.