Top 10 Assistant Buyer Certifications

Certifications are an important way for assistant buyers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the job market. Certifications provide evidence of a commitment to professional development, as well as knowledge of the industry. They can also help an assistant buyer stand out from the competition by showing potential employers that they have achieved a certain level of proficiency in their field. Additionally, certifications can open up new opportunities for career advancement, such as promotions or higher salaries. Finally, certifications provide assurance to employers that an assistant buyer is qualified and knowledgeable in the areas necessary to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Assistant Buyers and explain how they can help advance an Assistant Buyer's career.

What are Assistant Buyer Certifications?

Assistant buyer certification is a professional credential that is designed to help individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in retail buying. This certification demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the principles of retail buying, which includes the ability to analyze trends, assess customer needs, identify market opportunities, negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers, manage inventory levels, and work with vendors.

Having assistant buyer certification can provide many benefits for those seeking a career in retail buying. It can help demonstrate an individual’s commitment to developing their skills and knowledge in the field of retail buying. The certification also provides employers with assurance that they are hiring someone who has the necessary qualifications and experience to be successful as an assistant buyer. Additionally, having this certification can open up more job opportunities for those looking to pursue a career in retail buying as it is recognized by many employers as an indicator of competence within the industry.

Pro Tip: Obtaining an assistant buyer certification can provide you with valuable skills and knowledge that can open up many career opportunities. It is important to research potential certifications and make sure they come from a reputable organization, as this will help ensure the certification is respected in the industry.

Related: What does an Assistant Buyer do?

Top 10 Assistant Buyer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Assistant Buyers today.

1. Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM)

Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM) is a professional certification offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in purchasing and supply management. The CPPM certification requires candidates to demonstrate expertise in areas such as procurement, contract management, supplier relationships, and logistics.

To become certified, candidates must meet certain prerequisites, including having at least three years of experience in the field of purchasing and supply management. Additionally, they must pass an exam that covers topics such as strategic sourcing, negotiation strategies, and legal aspects of contracting. Candidates must also complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their certification.

The CPPM certification process typically takes about three months from start to finish. To get started, candidates must first register with ISM and submit an application along with the required documentation. Once accepted into the program, they will receive study materials and be given access to practice exams. After studying for the exam and taking it successfully, they will receive their certification certificate from ISM.

The cost for the CPPM certification program varies depending on whether you are an ISM member or non-member. For members, it costs $595; for non-members it costs $795.

2. Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP)

Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professionals in the purchasing field. It is offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The CPP designation is awarded to those who have demonstrated a mastery of the core competencies required for successful purchasing management.

The CPP certification requires passing an exam that tests knowledge in areas such as procurement strategy, supplier selection and management, contract law, and global sourcing. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Candidates must score at least 75% on the exam to receive their CPP certification.

To be eligible for the CPP certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in purchasing or related activities, including two years of supervisory or managerial experience. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from current or former employers attesting to their professional qualifications.

The cost for the CPP certification is $695 USD for ISM members and $995 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials and resources, as well as a one-year membership with ISM upon passing the exam.

3. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a professional certification program developed by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in supply chain management. The CSCP designation recognizes professionals who have the skills and knowledge to effectively manage global supply chains.

The CSCP exam consists of four parts: Supply Chain Design, Planning, Execution and Performance Measurement. The exam takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

To get the CSCP certification, you must meet certain eligibility requirements such as having at least three years of full-time experience in supply chain management or related field, or a bachelor’s degree in any field with at least one year of full-time experience in supply chain management or related field. You must also pass the CSCP Exam.

The cost for the CSCP certification is $695 for members of ASCM and $995 for non-members. There may be additional fees associated with taking the exam, depending on your location.

4. Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP)

Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP) is a certification program designed to recognize those individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in the field of green purchasing. The CGPP program is administered by the National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM).

The CGPP certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to sustainable purchasing practices and their ability to identify, evaluate, and select products and services that are environmentally friendly. To become certified, one must successfully pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as environmental regulations, green product selection criteria, sustainability metrics, and green supply chain management.

The exam typically takes about four hours to complete. Candidates must also submit proof of at least two years of professional experience in purchasing or related fields. The cost for the exam is $395 USD plus applicable taxes.

Once an individual has passed the exam they will be awarded the Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP) designation. This credential can be used to demonstrate expertise in green purchasing practices to employers, customers, and other stakeholders.

5. Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)

A Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual’s expertise in public procurement. It is granted by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC). The CPPO designation signifies that the individual has demonstrated a mastery of public procurement principles and practices.

The CPPO program consists of three components: an initial application, a comprehensive exam, and continuing education requirements. The initial application requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of public procurement principles and practices through education, experience, and references. The comprehensive exam tests applicants on their understanding of public procurement law, regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices.

To become certified as a CPPO, applicants must pass the comprehensive exam with a score of at least 70%. Once certified, individuals must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their certification status.

The cost for the CPPO program varies depending on the state in which you are applying. Generally speaking, it costs between $200-$400 to apply for the program and take the comprehensive exam.

6. Certified Purchasing and Materials Management (CPMM)

Certified Purchasing and Materials Management (CPMM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The CPMM certification is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated mastery of the principles, practices, and techniques of purchasing and materials management.

To become certified, an individual must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as procurement strategy, contract negotiation, supplier relations, inventory management, and logistics. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost of the CPMM exam varies depending on the country where it is taken. In the United States, it costs $395 USD for ISM members and $495 USD for non-members. There may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam in certain countries.

In order to take the exam, candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements include having at least three years of relevant work experience in purchasing or materials management or completing a qualifying educational program in supply chain management or related fields.

Once an individual has successfully passed the CPMM exam, they will receive their official certification from ISM within 8-10 weeks after taking the test.

7. Certified Strategic Sourcing Professional (CSSP)

Certified Strategic Sourcing Professional (CSSP) is a certification program offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to effectively manage strategic sourcing initiatives. The CSSP certification program requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of strategic sourcing principles, processes, and techniques.

It typically takes around three months to complete the CSSP certification program. Candidates must first pass an online assessment that tests their knowledge of strategic sourcing concepts and practices. Once they have passed this assessment, they will be eligible to take the two-day CSSP Certification Exam. This exam covers topics such as supplier selection criteria, negotiation tactics, contract management best practices, and more.

The cost of the CSSP certification program varies depending on the type of membership you have with ISM. For non-members, it costs $1,395 USD; for members, it costs $995 USD; and for student members, it costs $495 USD.

In addition to passing the exam and paying the fee for the certification program, candidates must also meet certain experience requirements in order to become certified. Specifically, they must have at least three years of professional experience in supply chain management or procurement within a business environment in order to qualify for CSSP certification.

8. Certified International Trade Professional (CITP)

Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) is a professional designation awarded by the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). It is an internationally recognized certification that recognizes professionals who have demonstrated expertise in international trade.

The CITP program requires applicants to complete a comprehensive training program and pass an examination. The training program consists of three levels, each level taking approximately 40 hours to complete. The first level covers the fundamentals of international trade, with topics such as global markets, export/import regulations, logistics and finance. The second level focuses on specific areas such as market research, marketing strategies and negotiation techniques. The third level focuses on advanced topics such as risk management and dispute resolution.

To obtain the CITP designation, applicants must successfully complete the training program and pass the examination with a minimum score of 70%. Once certified, individuals must maintain their certification through continuing education credits every two years.

The cost of obtaining the CITP designation varies depending on the country in which you are applying. In Canada, it typically costs between $2,500-$3,000 CAD for all three levels of training and examination fees.

9. Institute for Supply Management's CPSM Certification

The Institute for Supply Management's Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field of supply chain management. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise, advance their careers, and gain recognition from employers and peers.

To become certified, individuals must complete three levels of examinations: the Foundation Exam, the Core Exam, and the Specialty Exam. The Foundation Exam covers basic concepts and principles of supply chain management. The Core Exam tests knowledge in areas such as procurement, inventory management, logistics, risk management, sustainability, and analytics. The Specialty Exam focuses on specific topics such as transportation or global sourcing.

The entire process takes an average of 18 months to complete. To get started, individuals must register with ISM by submitting a completed application form along with payment for the exam fees. Once approved by ISM, candidates can begin studying for the exams using study materials provided by ISM or other third-party providers. After passing all three exams within 18 months of registering with ISM, individuals will be awarded the CPSM certification.

The cost to become CPSM certified varies depending on which study materials are used and whether any discounts are available when registering for the exams. Generally speaking, it costs approximately $1,000 USD to become CPSM certified when using ISM’s recommended study materials and taking advantage of any available discounts.

10. Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply's MCIPS Qualification

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) MCIPS Qualification is a professional qualification that demonstrates a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of procurement and supply. It is the gold standard for those who wish to pursue a career in this field, and it is recognised by employers around the world.

The MCIPS Qualification consists of three levels: Foundation, Professional and Advanced. Each level requires different amounts of study time and assessment, but on average it takes between two and four years to complete all three levels.

To gain the MCIPS Qualification, you must complete a series of exams at each level. The exams cover topics such as contract law, purchasing strategies, ethical practices, risk management and supply chain management. You will also need to demonstrate practical skills through assignments or case studies.

The cost of gaining the MCIPS Qualification varies depending on which route you take. If you are studying through an approved provider such as CIPS itself or one of its partners, then fees may range from £1,000 to £2,500 per level. Alternatively, if you are self-studying then exam fees can be up to £200 per paper plus additional costs for course materials or learning support services.

Overall, the MCIPS Qualification is an excellent way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in procurement and supply management. It can help open doors in terms of career opportunities as well as give you access to exclusive networking events with other professionals in the industry.

Do You Really Need a Assistant Buyer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. For those who are looking to pursue a career in buying, an assistant buyer certificate can be a great way to get started. This certificate provides an introduction to the basics of buying and gives individuals the knowledge they need to land entry-level positions in this field.

However, for those who already have experience in the industry or have a degree in business, an assistant buyer certificate may not be necessary. In these cases, employers may be more interested in someone’s practical experience rather than what is on their resume. Furthermore, some employers may even prefer that potential employees take continuing education courses or attend seminars related to buying rather than earning a certificate.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual as to whether they feel like an assistant buyer certificate will benefit them. It can certainly be helpful for those starting out in the field and can also provide additional credentials for experienced buyers who want to advance their careers further.

Related: Assistant Buyer Resume Examples

FAQs About Assistant Buyer Certifications

1. What is an Assistant Buyer Certification?

Answer: An Assistant Buyer Certification is a professional certification designed to recognize individuals who have acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the duties of an assistant buyer. The certification verifies that an individual has demonstrated competency in areas such as purchasing, negotiation, vendor management, inventory control, and customer service.

2. How do I become certified as an Assistant Buyer?

Answer: To become certified as an Assistant Buyer, you must have a minimum of two years' experience in purchasing or related fields and pass a comprehensive exam administered by a recognized certifying organization. Additionally, some certifying organizations may require additional education or training courses prior to taking the exam.

3. What are the benefits of being certified as an Assistant Buyer?

Answer: Being certified as an Assistant Buyer provides several benefits such as increased job security and potential for career advancement, higher salary offers from employers, recognition of your expertise in the field, and access to networking opportunities with other professionals in the industry.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as an Assistant Buyer?

Answer: Yes, many certifying organizations require applicants to have at least two years of experience working in purchasing or related fields before they can take the certification exam. Additionally, some organizations may require additional education or training courses prior to taking the exam.

5. How long does it take to become certified as an Assistant Buyer?

Answer: On average, it takes about six months to complete all requirements for becoming certified as an Assistant Buyer. This includes completing any necessary education or training courses and passing the certification exam administered by a recognized certifying organization.