The Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) has announced its strategic expansion from supply management to covering end-to-end supply chain management for its global community. This significant move represents another innovative step in its 110-year organisational history, which aligns with the movement of the profession and the evolving roles of practitioners.
The expansion goes beyond ISM®’s core procurement focus, introducing an updated mission and vision that aligns with the changing roles and responsibilities of supply chain management professionals.
ISM®’s new mission is to advance the strategy and practice of integrated, end-to-end supply chain management through leading edge data-driven resources, community, and education to empower individuals, create organisational value and drive competitive advantage. With this, its vision is to foster a prosperous, sustainable world.
This expansion is designed to address the evolving needs of supply chain professionals worldwide and allow ISM® to develop strategically in response to changes in practice. With this broader scope, ISM® aims to deliver enhanced education, resources and community support to help supply chain practitioners navigate today’s complexities of modern supply chains with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
“Our expansion marks a pivotal moment in our organisation’s history,” says Thomas Derry, CEO of ISM®. “We are excited to lead the profession into a new era and provide the comprehensive support supply chain organisations need in today’s complex supply chain environment. This move underscores our commitment to continued innovation and excellence.”
As the first not-for-profit supply management organisation worldwide, ISM® is uniquely positioned to bring its deep procurement and supply management expertise to the end-to-end supply chain. Supply chain management is increasingly managed as a holistic process of integrated functions. Research and practitioner focus groups confirm that as the profession and roles continue to evolve, ISM® must expand its offerings to remain at the forefront of industry needs.
Over the past several years, ISM has developed and introduced content and education programmes that support end-to-end supply chain functions. This expansion encompasses all key operational areas – Plan, Source, Produce and Deliver – as outlined in ISM®‘s Integrated Supply Chain Model™. A significant area of focus has been Deliver, with rapid growth in logistics-related education and training.
In addition to a Logistics and Materials Management certificate, ISM® offers a variety of instructor-led and self-paced learning opportunities including:
- Instructor-led courses: Logistics and Materials Management, Warehousing and Inventory Management and Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP).
- Self-paced virtual learning: Connected Supply Chains, Innovations in Logistics, Reverse Logistics, Logistics and Warehouse Management Systems, Essential Supply Chain Metrics, Advancements and Emerging Trends in Logistics, among several others.
ISM®‘s expanded mission is an evolution that aligns with the needs of modern practitioners and continues to advance the profession.
Source: ISM®
