Supply Chain Strategies for Immediate Impact

written by Lauri Moon | September 29, 2026

Supply Chain Strategies for Immediate Impact

(1 Hr, virtual)

This program starts in:

Are material shortages, late customer deliveries, chronic expediting, rising costs, or inventory imbalances disrupting your operation? Many manufacturers find themselves constantly reacting to supply chain issues instead of focusing on growth and profitability. If you’re struggling with too much inventory in some areas, not enough in others, supplier performance challenges, production interruptions, or increasing pressure from customers, this webinar is for you.

Join us for a practical, one-hour session that will help you identify the root causes of common supply chain problems and uncover immediate opportunities to improve performance, reduce costs, and strengthen your competitive position.

Register now for this no-cost webinar!

Webinar login will be provided approximately one week prior to the session.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Recognize the most common supply chain challenges that impact manufacturing performance, customer service, and profitability
Evaluate supply chain effectiveness using key metrics, data, and operational indicators to identify hidden waste and improvement opportunities
Identify practical short-, medium-, and long-term actions that can improve inventory management, supplier performance, and operational efficiency
Apply proven supply chain best practices and strategic tools to build a more resilient, cost-effective, and customer-focused operation
Develop a roadmap for turning supply chain management into a competitive advantage that supports growth and profitability

What You’ll Learn

How to overcome delays, shortages, excess inventory, and rising costs.
How to quickly identify root causes, uncover quick wins, and build a smarter, more resilient supply chain.
Strategic tools that support growth and profitability

This course is ideal for:

Business owners and executives looking to improve margins and performance
Operations, supply chain, and procurement leaders
Manufacturers facing delivery, inventory, or cost challenges
Teams ready to move from reactive problem-solving to strategic improvement

What You’ll Walk Away With:

Actionable insights you can implement immediately
A clearer view of where your supply chain is losing time and money
Practical tools to improve efficiency and decision-making
A roadmap to turn your supply chain into a competitive advantage

Meet Your Presenter

Brian Wagner joined the IMC team as a Business Advisor in January 2024. As an IMC Business Advisor, Brian works closely with Central PA manufacturers to provide objective, expert advice and actionable solutions to drive economic success and profitable growth.

Brian brings over 30 years of manufacturing experience to the IMC in the areas of production planning, supply chain management, procurement and distribution. Brian is a Certified Purchasing Manager, Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management, Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity and received his BSEG in Computer Science Engineering from Bucknell University.

Register now for this no-cost webinar!

Webinar login will be provided approximately one week prior to the session.

Rethinking Inventory Strategies in a New Supply Chain Era

written by Lauri Moon | September 29, 2026

In the wake of recent disruptions, the vulnerabilities of just-in-time (JIT) inventory strategies have become increasingly apparent, leaving many companies scrambling to adapt. Join Brian Deal, Director of Strategy and Supply Chain Services at IMC’s sister center, DVIRC, for an in-depth webinar that delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by the shift away from JIT.

This session will provide a comprehensive analysis of key strategies such as make-to-stock versus make-to-order, and how these decisions impact your bottom line. We’ll also explore the role of min-max systems in managing both finished goods and work-in-progress (WIP) materials, offering practical insights into maintaining the delicate balance between too much and too little inventory.

Brian will discuss why inventory, often seen as a necessary evil, is now a critical element in maintaining supply chain resilience, and how to determine the optimal inventory buffer to protect against future disruptions. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to enhance their inventory management processes, ensuring their businesses are better prepared for the uncertainties ahead.

Key Takeaways:

Understand the limitations of just-in-time inventory and explore other inventory strategies.
Learn the pros and cons of make-to-stock vs. make-to-order strategies.
Explore min-max systems for optimizing inventory levels of finished goods and WIP materials.
Discover how to calculate and manage an effective inventory buffer.
Gain insights into balancing inventory costs with the need for supply chain resilience.

This webinar is essential for supply chain professionals and business leaders looking to future-proof their operations and make informed decisions in a rapidly changing environment.

Webinar Series – Supply Chain 101

written by Lauri Moon | September 29, 2026

It is not uncommon for small to mid-sized businesses to get tangled up in inventory and supply chain issues. The supply environment has run in a steady state for decades; however, a new paradigm has emerged. This course helps manufacturing leaders to understand and become proficient in inventory & supply chain management.

Why Supply Chain 101?

This course provides participants with a high-level knowledge base of the ‘must have’ processes for successful execution of inventory & supply chain management. Participants will learn the components that come into play and understand how to link them to their company’s strategic, operating, and tactical plans. The course will incorporate examples of how real small businesses have applied these processes. Participants will also learn methods of sales and capacity management, inventory planning and supplier scouting and screening techniques to meet customer expectations and financial obligations.

Registration is limited to three people per company.

(Standard pricing for this program is $1,200 per company but is being offered free due to a special grant opportunity!)

Course Outcomes

This 4-session, virtual course will help participants to:

Articulate and understand the components of supply chain planning
Understand and apply the principles of demand & capacity planning
Learn how to create risk & cost-based controls for effective inventory management
Experience creating and using inventory & supply chain key performance indicators
Perform supply chain mapping
Learn best practice Supplier Scouting techniques
Learn what implementing a formal Inventory Management and Supply Chain program entails

Four 90 Minute Sessions

Session 1 – 8/7/2024

Supply Chain Management (SCM) principles and key processes
Demand planning and customer management
Operations and production planning
Inventory programs and strategies

Session 2 – 8/14/2024

Supplier management and procurement best practices
Knowing your constraints and risk factors
Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) program
Case study and attendee assignment

Session 3 – 8/21/2024

How to benchmark Suppliers
Where and How to Research New Potential Suppliers
Exploring Alternative Supply Chain Options
Setting Up Vetting Criteria/Scoring Standards
The “Right Way” to Interview Suppliers

Session 4 – 8/28/2024

Connecting the dots between Finance and Strategic Planning
Performance measurement and key performance indicators (KPIs)
Getting the organization and stakeholders on-board
Assignment report-out

In order to earn a certificate of completion, registrants must attend at least 3 of the 4 sessions.

Benefits of Supply Chain 101

Participants will benefit by learning how to protect key customers, anticipate supplier issues, and manage inventory cash flow impacts. Additional benefits:

This will be a highly interactive experience with subject matter expert-led lessons and corresponding manufacturing-based case studies
You’ll be provided a supporting workbook complete with exercises, tools and one-on-one coaching sessions that enable you to design and implement a strategy as unique as your business
Three 90-minute one-on-one coaching sessions
Allotted time for sharing of individual successes, concerns, failures, and opportunities related to your business. During these exchanges, tactics and best practices will be shared to help make the most of a given situation
This program takes a “learn today, apply today” approach to drive dramatic improvements in your business

Who Should Take This Course

Individuals who are responsible for planning, purchasing, inventory control, or operations functions. In order to earn a certificate of completion, registrants must attend at least 3 of the 4 sessions.

Registration is limited to three people per company.

(Standard pricing for this program is $1,200 per company but is being offered free due to a special grant opportunity!)