In today’s professional world, the competition is increasing
by the minute. It seems everyone is “going back to school,” earning more
degrees, obtaining new certifications. With so many new or constantly changing
options out there, it can be hard to distinguish a necessity from an additional
benefit, and determine what is relevant to you specifically. As a purchasing
manager, looking for a certification means you likely want to improve your
skill set and marketability. This will give you the “low down,” 4-1-1, or fast
facts, of the most popular purchasing certifications out there, helping you
narrow down which suits you best.
Which certification option is best for you?
o
Who: Employers (for employees) and purchasing
professionals
o
Where: Offered by the Next Level Purchasing
Association, the certification can be obtained from any location through their
online program. This means you can stay in your PJ’s and complete the courses
from the comfort of your own home.
o
When: You have one full year to complete the
program, but it is self-paced. The estimations of hours per week to completion
time ratios are as follows: 1 hour/week- finish in a year, 2 hours/week- finish
in 6 months, 4 hours/week- finish in 3 months.
o
How: You must complete the six online courses of
the program, pass the SPSM Exam, and submit an application in order to obtain
the certification.
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To maintain the certification, you must
recertify it every four years. This consists of earning 32 Continuing Education
Hours from pre-approved sources in purchasing and supply managements topics.
o
Why:
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Professionals: have earned better jobs, more
respect, excellent performance evaluations, and larger pay increases following
completion of their SPSM cert.
§
Employers (by enrolling their purchasing
employees in the program): employees are able to save more money, improve
supporting operations efficiency, minimize and manage risk, function more
independently following completion of their SPSM cert.
o
Other
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“globally recognized for being the most modern,
high-quality purchasing management certification,”
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NLP has certified thousands of procurement
professionals from 100 countries
o
What: Certified Professional in Supply Management
o
Who: Supply management professionals
o
Where: This cert. is offered by the Institute
for Supply Management (ISM). Where you choose to complete the requirements is
up to you (supply chain professional experience, potential degree, and three
exams as a test center of your choice).
o
When: Successful completion of three exams
depends on your study program. If you engage in self-paced learning, you can
expect an average of 6-12 months to complete the exams. The other criteria
(work experience, potential degree) are relative to when you have completed
them.
o
How: You must pass three CPSM exams, and will
need three years of full-time, professional supply management experience, in
addition to a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree, OR five years of supply
management experience without a degree. The CPSM must be re-certified every
three years with 60 Continuing Education Hours.
o
Why: Professional: career advancement, higher
annual compensation, mastering of the supply management body of knowledge. The
cert. is considered, “a milestone for professionals taking ownership of their
careers.”
o
Other
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CPSM- covers increased scope of duties
purchasing managers are now involved with
§
ISM is likely one of the more visible,
well-known accrediting bodies
o
What: CPPO- Certified Public Procurement
Officer, CPPB- Certified Professional Public Buyer
o
Who:
Government procurement professionals (you must have government-specific
procurement experience to be eligible).
o
Where: Certification can be completed through
the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council. The exam takes place at
a scheduled testing center, and experience requirements can be completed in
your field.
o
When: The length of time depends on when you
complete your experience and your own personal studying pace.
o
How: While the extent and level of the
requirements differ between the two certifications, both require a degree,
public procurement experience, and a combination of procurement coursework and
contact hours of “instructor-led” procurement training/education. The specified
requirements for each certification can be found here. You must pass an
exam at a scheduled testing center. You will need to recertify every five
years. Recertification requires Continuing Education & Professional
Development, Professional Contribution, and Contact hours.
o
Why: Professional recognition, increased
knowledge, new employment/advancement opportunities, indicator or expertise,
increased credibility, and personal satisfaction.
o
What: Certified Supply Chain Professional
o
Who: Supply chain professionals
o
Where: The certification is offered by APICS-
the Association for Supply Chain Management. APICS offers exam courses or
self-study options.
o
When: Aside from your own paced study plan for
the exam, the eligibility requirements are completed in the timeframe of your
personal choice.
o How: Eligibility: 3 years of related business
experience, bachelor’s degree, or one of 10
designations, and successful completion of the CSCP exam. The certification
must be renewed every five years, and can be done so through employer-sponsored
events and events of related organizations.
o
Why: Increase in salary, hiring potential, and
professional value, and improvements in ERP investments and global supply chain
management.
o
Other:
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More than 25,000 professionals in 100 countries
since 2006
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AOP claims to differentiate their cert from
others by bringing “your company’s entire value chain into perspective”
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Goal: learn how to look at the purchasing
function relative to the rest of an organization’s value chain
At the end of the day, everyone is different, every
organization is different, and therefore goals, aspirations, and requirements
will be relative to the individual pursuing certification. Actively pursuing a
certification is more than just a title- it can enhance your ability and
understanding of the professional world. While something might look nice on
paper or in a frame hanging above your workspace- the real goal is to enhance
your purchasing abilities. Talking the talk does not allow you to walk the
walk, in this case having a certification or title does not necessarily mean
you are any more suited to complete the job- you have to prove it.
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