ISM-Kansas City, Inc.

A Chapter of the Institute for Supply Management working together to advance the profession of supply management.

ISM—Kansas City's Leading Supply Chain Management Professionals553x359_Eastern Virginia.jpg

ISM—Kansas City is a chapter of The Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) which exists to educate, develop and advance the purchasing and supply management profession. ISM is a progressive, not-for-profit association with a mission to provide national and international leadership in purchasing and materials management, particularly in the areas of education, research and standards of excellence.

Through various resources and a network of more than 55 chapters, ISM provides opportunities for expansion of professional skills and knowledge.

We invite you to join us at an upcoming meeting and learn more about the benefits of membership.

Upcoming Events

July

16

2026

MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only

Executive Briefing & Insights with Dr. Basu

Dr. Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., will lead the discussion about current economic indicators and provide an insightful forecast that unveils critical supply chain risks.

 

Topics include:

    • Analyzing key factors shaping economic outcomes, including central bank policies, business confidence, and geopolitics.
    • Exploring the intricate relationship between business confidence and economic trajectories.
    • Gaining unique insights into worker attitudes and their impact on economic trends.
    • These data-driven insights are essential for supply chain leaders seeking to steer their organizations strategically. It's also an opportunity to connect with your fellow supply chain community. only.

This session is now open to all ISM members.
Online
Anirban Basu

July

23

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

August

06

2026

MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only

AI-Native Cost Intelligence to Turn Procurement into a Profit Center

Procurement leaders are under pressure to do more than manage spend—they’re expected to drive measurable business value. This member-only webinar explores how AI-native cost intelligence is reshaping procurement into a strategic profit lever.

Join Gautam Pasari, Founder and CEO of True ValueHub, a 2025 ISM Supply Chain Trailblazer winner, for a focused discussion and case study on how organizations can move upstream in the cost lifecycle, increase transparency across global supply networks, and accelerate sourcing decisions without compromising rigor. You’ll gain practical insight into how AI is enabling faster, more informed collaboration across engineering, sourcing, and supplier ecosystems.

What you’ll learn:

  • Why early-stage cost intelligence matters
    Understand how influencing the first 70–80% of cost during design can unlock greater savings and reduce downstream trade-offs.
  • How to build transparency and tariff resilience
    See how breaking costs into clear drivers—materials, manufacturing, logistics, and carbon—creates a shared understanding with suppliers and strengthens your ability to model and respond to tariffs and trade shifts.
  • How AI is accelerating sourcing cycles
    Explore how AI-enabled workflows can compress RFQ timelines from months to days, enabling real-time collaboration and more strategic decision-making.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify how early-stage cost intelligence influences 70–80% of total product cost and apply this insight to improve design-phase decision-making.
  • Evaluate cost drivers across materials, manufacturing, logistics, and carbon to improve transparency, strengthen supplier alignment, and model the impact of tariffs and trade changes.
  • Apply AI-enabled approaches to accelerate RFQ and sourcing processes, reducing cycle times and enabling more effective real-time collaboration.
Online
Gautam Pasari

Highlights from the President

Welcome to Summer 2025!

As the summer season unfolds, we are delighted to bring you the latest updates, events, and initiatives from our organization. Here’s what’s happening in our community and what to look forward to in the coming months.

  1. Board members are planning and preparing fall monthly educational events. If you have an interest or ideas for events please let us know.
  2. Industry News
  3. Stay informed with the latest industry news and trends.
  4. Stay Connected

Follow us on LinkedIn, and Facebook for real-time updates, and industry insights. 

Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community. Your active participation and commitment to purchasing make a significant impact to your organization.  Enjoy the summer, and let’s continue to make great strides together!

Best regards,

Joel Johnson,

President, ISM—Kansas City, Inc.

Learn More

Supply Management News & Reports

Supply Chain Cybersecurity Defenders

July 08, 2026
Articles

How digital breach mitigation is becoming a procurement discipline that keeps operations moving when threats strike.

Read More

Join ISM

Your membership in ISM will provide a powerful path to stay connected, engaged, and up-to-date with everything happening in supply management. Serious procurement and supply chain professionals are dedicated to staying in the know about their profession and staying at the top of their game. An ISM membership will provide you with that and more.

More than 100 years of experience speaks for itself – ISM can help you succeed. It's our mission.

Become A Member

Practical Learning. Real Business Impact.

ISM Group Training helps you build the capabilities your organization needs most through practitioner-led learning tailored around your organization's priorities, processes, and best practices.

Designed to help you:

  • Strengthen the skills that matter most to your business.
  • Build consistency across your team with shared knowledge and best practices.
  • Turn learning into measurable business impact.
View Training Options