Managing Supplier Risk Through Strong Relationships
In today’s volatile supply chain environment, it’s not enough to rely on contracts alone. The true strength of supplier risk management lies in the quality of your relationships. This whitepaper explores how manufacturers can mitigate risk and build resilience by fostering trust, transparency, and collaboration with key suppliers.
In today’s competitive landscape, efficiency isn’t just about cutting time and minimizing errors — it’s about increasing value at every stage of your operations. Join IMEC and Commerce Bank for a hands-on, half-day workshop that blends Lean manufacturing principles with financial workflow automation and risk mitigation to help you uncover hidden waste, boost cash flow, and make smarter decisions faster.
Through interactive sessions and real-world examples, you’ll learn how Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Payment Cycle Reviews can spotlight inefficiencies and pave the way for automation. Then, hear how modern contract and financial tools — from purchase orders to capital tracking — can support your Lean goals and create measurable impact.
What to Expect:
Collaborative VSM Activity: Build a sample value stream map and identify improvement opportunities
Technology in Action: Explore tools that enhance the effectiveness of your finance and operations teams
Expert Guidance: Hear from Lean and finance automation experts with proven strategies
Actionable Takeaways: Leave with tools, insights, and support resources tailored to your business
This event is ideal for operational leaders, finance professionals, and anyone looking to align strategy, speed and savings across their organization.
Agenda:
7:30 AM – Registration + Coffee & Light Breakfast
8:00 AM – Welcome + Opening Remarks
8:10 AM – Session 1: Value Stream Mapping (Presented by IMEC)
8:55 AM – Session 2: Minimizing Negative Cash Cycle Impacts and Automating Financial Processes Workflows (Presented by Commerce Bank)
9:40 AM – Integrated Q&A + Group Discussion
10:00 AM – Wrap-Up + Resources & Support
Presenter
Jeremy Smith
Technical Specialist | IMEC
With more than 10 years of manufacturing experience in complex automotive electronics, I have gained a variety of skills and knowledge that I use to enable success. My experience working with and on teams across business divisions in multiple countries has broadened my perspective on how to achieve goals and coach teams toward success. My goal is to apply the right tools in the right way at the right time to enable that success.
By viewing manufacturing through a value stream lens, my expertise in leadership, continuous improvement, productivity management, zero defects culture, visual management, total productive maintenance, supplier management, and logistics provides a large “toolbox” of systems and approaches. Through experience and data analysis, I help manufacturers apply these tools in a way that maximizes the return on investment and ensures sustainability
Sarah Dubbert
Executive Vice President, Commerce Bank – Central Region President, Commerce Bank – Columbia
Dubbert has worked in banking for more 20 years and joined Commerce Bank in 2008 as Vice President, Treasury Services Manager. Her current responsibilities include managing the Commercial Banking Division for the Central Region, consisting of nine markets, as well as overseeing corporate sales and implementation efforts for treasury services, merchant services, and card.
Dubbert is also charged with ensuring customer satisfaction levels for corporate clients in the region. Her primary focus is on public entities, large corporations and not-for-profits. Dubbert is a member of the Association for Financial Professionals and has her Certified Treasury Professional designation.
She is an active leader throughout the region, currently serving on the Kappa Delta Sorority National Council, Board Emeritus for Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation, Special Advisor to the American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State Program, and member of the Board of Directors for EOS Linx, a private motor vehicle parts manufacturing company specializing in comprehensive electric vehicle charging solutions.
