The Supply Chain & Manufacturing focus area brings together professionals working across logistics, planning, production, operations, and sourcing to explore the end-to-end challenges and opportunities shaping modern supply networks. This focus area goes beyond traditional supply chain topics to integrate manufacturing excellence, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic operational thinking.
Through events framed around Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics & Distribution, Manufacturing, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), and Trade Compliance, members gain practical insights, emerging best practices, and peer learning to drive performance and resilience across their organizations.
Topics featured in upcoming programming include:
- Supply Chain Analytics — applying data and optimization tools to real-world challenges.
- S&OP Cross-Functional Collaboration — breaking down silos between planning, operations, and business strategy.
- Supply Chain Career Development — investing in talent, skills, and leadership for sustained impact.
Whether you’re tackling network design, procurement strategy, workforce capability, or manufacturing integration, this focus area supports members in building robust, agile, and forward-looking supply and operations strategies.
Select a group below to see all upcoming and past events for that group, and click on an event title to view or download available assets for the event.
Upcoming Events
- January 22, 2026Virtual
- February 10, 2026Virtual
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Supply Chain
Next Event
| Date | Title | Focus Area | Topic | Event Delivery | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 22, 2026 | Supply Chain Analytics - Optimization and Network Design | Supply Chain and Manufacturing | Supply Chain | Virtual | Event Details |
Past Events
| Date | Title | Focus Area | Topic | Event Delivery | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 17, 2025 | Sustainability - ESG Priorities for a Robust Supply Chain | Supply Chain and Manufacturing, Supply Chain Peer Group | Supply Chain, Supply Chain Peer Group | Virtual | Event Details |
| February 4, 2025 | Supply Chain Resilience and Agility | Supply Chain Focus Area | Supply Chain | Virtual | Event Details |
Logistics and Distribution
The Logistics and Distribution Peer Group encompasses topics relating to all modes of transportation, warehousing, fulfillment and distribution. Supply chain professionals can use this Peer Group to gain insights from other member companies, learn from supply chain experts and network with peers.
Past Events
| Date | Title | Focus Area | Topic | Event Delivery | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16, 2025 | Freight Cost, Capacity and Scenario Planning | Supply Chain Focus Area | Logistics and Distribution | In-person | Event Details |
| July 22, 2025 | Warehouse Automation | Supply Chain Peer Group | Logistics and Distribution | Virtual | Event Details |
Procurement
The Procurement Peer Group focuses on direct and indirect procurement, sourcing and purchasing aspects of the supply chain. Members leverage collaborative discussions, expert presentations and case studies to succeed.
Past Events
| Date | Title | Focus Area | Topic | Event Delivery | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2025 | Supplier Health and Risk Management | Supply Chain Focus Area | Procurement | Virtual | Event Details |
| March 4, 2025 | Negotiating with Suppliers | Supply Chain Focus Area | Procurement | Virtual | Event Details |
Manufacturing Special Interest Group
The Manufacturing Special Interest Group focuses on the people, process and technology needed to keep your operations running smoothly and meet customer demand. Members leverage collaborative discussions, expert presentations and case studies to succeed. Topics include smart manufacturing and automation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Next Event
| Date | Title | Focus Area | Topic | Event Delivery | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2026 | Digital Transformation in Manufacturing - Smart Manufacturing, Automation and AI Applications | Supply Chain and Manufacturing | Manufacturing | Virtual | Event Details |
Trade Compliance Special Interest Group
Explore the foundational elements of building and maintaining solid trade compliance programs, departments and processes for long term success.
The Trade Compliance Special Interest Group (SIG) offers a forum for individuals involved in import/export activities and trade compliance within UWEBC member companies to interact, share opinions and expertise, and leverage each other’s experiences. Attendees of the SIG:
- Engage with a trusted peer-to-peer network of trade compliance leaders, customs brokers, import/export professionals and those who support trade activities, such as legal and compliance departments.
- Identify opportunities to further enhance their current trade compliance processes and structures.
- Validate their organization’s compliance strategies and practices through knowledge exchange with other participants and subject-matter experts.
Read the Trade Compliance SIG charter document.
Past Events
| Date | Title | Focus Area | Topic | Event Delivery | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 12, 2025 | Trade Compliance Roundtable: Navigating Tariff Changes | Supply Chain Focus Area | Trade Compliance | Virtual | Event Details |
| August 7, 2024 | Reinventing Trade Compliance | Supply Chain Focus Area | Trade Compliance | Virtual | Event Details |
Thank you to our Steering Committee
- Mike Heindselman, Senior Director – Global Logistics, ORBIS Corporation
- Julie Pojar, Director, Trade Compliance, Kohler Co.
- Matt Chizeck, Import / Export – Trade Compliance Manager, Sub-Zero Group, Inc.
Sales and Operations Planning Special Interest Group
Connect with fellow practitioners on what is happening in the Sales & Operations Planning space and help develop a strategy for ongoing success in this practice.
This is a forum for practitioners of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) to collaborate with peers to learn from each other’s experiences and practices. In this space, we will discuss the current tools, strategies, and challenges that planners and leaders experience in the S&OP process. The S&OP Special Interest Group (SIG) is a collaborative space for participants to:
- Discuss trends, tools, challenges, and strategies in the S&OP process.
- Learn about successful strategies to overcome planning challenges from other UWEBC practitioners.
- Meet and connect with other S&OP practitioners from across industries.
Read the S&OP SIG charter document.
Next Event
| Date | Title | Focus Area | Topic | Event Delivery | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2026 | Breaking Down Silos - S&OP Crossfunctional Collaboration | Supply Chain and Manufacturing | Sales and Operations Planning | Virtual | Event Details |
Past Events
| Date | Title | Focus Area | Topic | Event Delivery | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 18, 2025 | S&OP Roundtable | Supply Chain Focus Area | Sales and Operations Planning | Virtual | Event Details |
| October 24, 2024 | S&OP Timely Topics | Supply Chain Focus Area | Sales and Operations Planning | Virtual | Event Details |
Thank you to our Steering Committee
- John Cavey, Director of Global Sales, Inventory & Ops Planning, Brunswick Corporation
- Leah Westpfahl, Director, Global Supply Chain, The Master Lock Company
- Stu Heil, Systems Manager, Sourcing, Greenheck
Questions about the Supply Chain & Manufacturing Focus Area? Contact:
Jenny Patzlaff
Position title: Supply Chain Practice Director
Email:
jenny.patzlaff
Phone: 608-890-1298