ISM-Philadelphia, Inc.

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

Philadelphia's Leading Supply Chain Management Professionals

ISM—Philadelphia, Inc. is a not-for-profit local chapter of Institute for Supply Management®. 

ISM—Philadelphia has served the purchasing and supply management professionals of the Greater Philadelphia area since 1915. The chapter offers seminars and educational meeting programs designed to meet the needs of today’s supply management professionals.

Members of ISM—Philadelphia receive current news and educational articles in a monthly e-Newsletter, local opportunities for networking and professional development, monthly Business Education Series meetings, and seminars.

For more information about ISM—Philadelphia, please visit the Chapter Overview. To view and register for upcoming events, please visit the Education Calendar

If you would like to join ISM—Philadelphia, volunteer on one of our many committees, or if you would like more information on the association’s goals and activities, please Contact Us for more information. 

2025-2026 Board Election Announcement

We’re excited to announce our slate of candidates for the 2025-2026 Board of Directors! 

View the list of nominees, read their bio's and learn more about voting. 

Learn More

Get to know ISM—Philadelphia!

Click below to watch a video on the benefits of membership with ISM and ISM—Philadelphia! 

Interested in joining? Visit the membership page here!

Click Here to Watch

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Upcoming Events

July

15

2025

MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only

Camouflaged Challenges in Relational Contracting: How to Best Prepare

Join us for an insightful virtual webinar on relational contracting, where we will explore how this innovative approach can generate value beyond mere cost savings. As certified coaches, our speakers have guided numerous companies through the process of establishing successful business relationships.

During this webinar, you will:

  • Understand the common challenges and obstacles experienced during the relational contract development process. Despite its many successes, relational contracting often presents challenges that are not easily detected. These camouflaged issues, if left unaddressed, can lead to significant problems.
  • Gain awareness on how to prepare well before the start of the relational contracting development process. We will share practical insights and tangible tools to help you recognize and manage potential challenges along the way.
  • Gain insights on potential solutions to common challenges. In our speaker's recently published book, we delve into these challenges through real-life case studies and provide effective solutions.
  • Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of relational contracting and ensure your business relationships thrive. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and enhance your approach to relational contracting.

Online

July

17

2025

MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only

Quarterly State of Risk Update

Join the executive leaders from ISM and Resilinc as they come together as part of a quarterly series to discuss the latest and emerging risks and disruptions impacting global supply chains. ISM CEO Tom Derry and Resilinc CEO Kamal Ahluwalia will also provide insights based on respective data and research from both organizations.

Online

July

29

2025

Chapter Meeting

ISM-Philadelphia Networking at the Ballpark

Networking at the Ballpark: ISM Meets the Blue Rocks

Step up to the plate for an evening of professional connections and summer fun!

Join ISM members and guests at Frawley Stadium for a relaxed networking session starting at 5:00pm followed by a Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game.

 

Your ticket includes entry to the game and your ballpark favorites—hot dogs and beverages—and the chance to connect with fellow supply chain and procurement professionals in a casual, family-friendly setting.

All professionals are welcome—whether you're in supply chain, procurement, operations, or just looking to expand your network, this event is for you!

This event is out of the park! Join us and enjoy a night out with colleagues or treat your family to a fun evening.

Location: Frawley Stadium, 801 Shipyard Dr, Wilmington, DE 19801

Register by Thursday July 17th

Sponsor: 505 ISM—Philadelphia, Inc.

Highlights from the President

Welcome to ISM—Philadelphia!

We are a growing organization of supply management professionals dedicated to educating & enhancing our professional membership.

ISM—Philadelphia offers certification courses for members to earn their Certified Professional in Supply Management® (CPSM®) certification.  The CPSM® is globally recognized as the gold standard of excellence for supply management professionals & is recognized across multiple industries. 

If you’re not a member of ISM—Philadelphia, please consider joining as a member here. There are many benefits to membership at both a local and global level, including a mix of online & in-person educational offerings throughout the year. 

If you need more information, please Contact Us at office@ism-phila.org or 215.878.3389. 

Contact Us

Supply Management News & Reports

An Introduction to Supply Chain Optimization

June 23, 2025
Articles
  • Sponsored |

    Businesses have goals related to growth, market share, profitability, sustainability, customer service, and so on. But there are limits, like how much a factory can make, how many workers and materials are available, and how much space there is in a warehouse. To figure out the best way to run the supply chain, you have to look at lots of different options and pick the one that works best for the business. Optimization is a mathematics technique that is best suited to enable businesses to meet their objectives.

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

Unlock AI for Smarter Supply Chain Decisions

The AI Playbook for Supply Chain Professionals is your practical guide to using AI to drive smarter decisions. From supplier negotiations to risk management, this on-demand toolkit offers real-world examples, ready-to-use prompts, and expert strategies tailored to the profession. Learn how to apply AI confidently and effectively-no technical background required.

Access the Toolkit

Join the Report On Business®  Survey Panel

ISM®'s Manufacturing, Services, and Hospital Report On Business® gather data monthly through surveys of supply management professionals participating in the Business Survey Committee.

Participation in the survey panel provides many benefits:

  • Receive a copy of the just-released Report On Business® graphical data
  • Directly see how your contribution affects the markets each month
  • Earn Continuing Education Hours

Click the link below to submit your information and someone will reach out to connect for a quick virtual call!

Join the Survey Panel