Top 10 Grocery Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a grocery manager in the job market because they demonstrate an understanding of industry standards and best practices. Certifications can also help to show potential employers that the candidate has the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the role. Additionally, certifications provide proof of continuing education and professional development, which can be attractive to employers looking for experienced candidates. Finally, certifications can help a grocery manager stand out from other applicants and make them more competitive when applying for jobs.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Grocery Managers and explains how they can contribute to a grocery manager's career growth.

What are Grocery Manager Certifications?

Grocery Manager Certification is a program designed to help grocery managers become skilled, knowledgeable professionals. It provides specialized training and resources to help them understand and manage the many complexities that come with managing a grocery store. This certification focuses on topics such as food safety, customer service, inventory control, marketing, cost management, personnel management and more.

Grocery Manager Certification can help improve the overall performance of a grocery store by providing managers with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage their stores. It helps ensure that all areas of the store are running smoothly and efficiently. Grocery managers will be able to better serve customers and effectively manage staff members. Additionally, they will be better equipped to handle challenging situations such as dealing with customer complaints or handling difficult employees.

In addition to providing managers with the necessary skills and knowledge to run their stores effectively, Grocery Manager Certification also offers networking opportunities which can help them connect with other industry professionals who may be able to provide additional guidance and support. By taking part in this certification program, grocery managers can become more confident in their abilities as well as more successful in their roles within the industry.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a grocery manager certification, make sure to take the time to understand the different aspects of the job and stay up-to-date on industry trends. This will help you to be better prepared when it comes to managing your store and making decisions that will benefit both your customers and your business.

Related: What does a Grocery Manager do?

Top 10 Grocery Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Grocery Managers today.

1. Certified Grocery Manager (CGM)

Certified Grocery Manager (CGM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Grocers Association (NGA). The program is designed to provide grocery store managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage their stores. It covers topics such as food safety, customer service, store operations, financial management, and personnel management.

The CGM program consists of two parts: an online course and a hands-on practicum. The online course covers all the topics listed above, while the practicum allows participants to apply what they have learned in a real-world setting. The program typically takes about six months to complete.

To get Certified Grocery Manager certification, individuals must first complete the online course and then pass a written exam administered by NGA. After passing the exam, participants must complete a hands-on practicum at an accredited grocery store in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the CGM program varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD for both parts of the program.

2. Certified Professional Grocery Manager (CPGM)

Certified Professional Grocery Manager (CPGM) is a certification program designed for grocery store managers. It is offered by the National Grocers Association and was created to help ensure that grocery store managers have the skills and knowledge needed to manage their stores effectively.

The CPGM certification program consists of four courses which cover topics such as food safety, customer service, financial management, and personnel management. The courses are offered both online and in-person at various locations throughout the United States. The program takes approximately six months to complete, depending on the student's availability and learning style.

To get certified as a Certified Professional Grocery Manager (CPGM), you must first complete all four courses with a passing grade. After completing the courses, you will need to take a proctored exam in order to receive your certification. The exam costs $150 and can be taken at any of the NGA's testing centers or online through ProctorU.

The cost of the CPGM certification program varies depending on how many courses you take and if you choose to take them online or in-person. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 for all four courses plus the exam fee.

3. Certified Retail Grocery Manager (CRGM)

Certified Retail Grocery Manager (CRGM) is a credential that recognizes retail grocery professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively manage a retail grocery store. The CRGM certification is offered by the National Grocers Association (NGA).

To become certified, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. Eligibility requirements include at least two years of full-time experience in a retail grocery store management role within the past five years.

The CRGM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as financial management, personnel management, customer service, food safety, merchandising and marketing, operations and technology, and legal issues. It takes approximately three hours to complete the exam.

The cost for taking the CRGM exam is $350 for NGA members ($450 for non-members). Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals receive their official CRGM certificate from NGA.

4. Certified Supermarket Manager (CSM)

Certified Supermarket Manager (CSM) is a professional certification program designed to help supermarket managers become more effective and successful in their roles. The program is administered by the National Grocers Association (NGA). It is a comprehensive training program that covers all aspects of managing a grocery store, including customer service, inventory management, financial management, marketing and merchandising.

The CSM program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person examination. The online course takes approximately 12 hours to complete and covers topics such as customer service, store operations, financial management, marketing and merchandising. After completing the online course, students must pass an in-person examination at an NGA-approved testing center. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics from the online course.

To get certified as a Supermarket Manager (CSM), you must have at least three years of experience working in the grocery industry or have completed an approved college degree in business or retail management. You will also need to successfully complete the online course and pass the in-person exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost for taking the CSM certification exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 for the exam fee plus any additional fees associated with taking it at an NGA-approved testing center.

5. Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM)

Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM) is a professional certification program that provides food and beverage professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage their operations. The CFBM program was developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and is recognized as an industry leader in training, education, and certification for foodservice professionals.

The CFBM program consists of three courses: Introduction to Foodservice Management, Advanced Foodservice Management, and Professional Certification in Foodservice Management. Each course is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become successful managers in the foodservice industry. The courses are offered online or through approved NRAEF-accredited schools.

It typically takes about four months to complete all three courses for the CFBM certification. The cost of the program varies depending on which school you choose to take it from, but generally ranges from $1,000-$2,500. To get certified, you must pass all three courses with a minimum score of 70%. Once you have completed all three courses successfully, you will receive your CFBM certificate from NRAEF.

6. Certified Food Service Manager (CFSM)

Certified Food Service Manager (CFSM) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to manage food service operations. The certification is offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

In order to obtain CFSM certification, applicants must complete an approved food safety training program and pass a written exam. The training program typically takes between 8-12 hours to complete, depending on the course provider. After completing the training, applicants must register with NRAEF and pay the applicable fees in order to take the exam.

The cost of obtaining CFSM certification varies depending on which course provider you choose. Generally speaking, it can range from around $150-$400 for both the training and exam fees combined.

7. Certified Produce Manager (CPM)

Certified Produce Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program offered by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). It is designed to recognize and promote the expertise of produce managers in retail and foodservice operations. The CPM certification is a voluntary program that requires the completion of both an online course and an on-site exam.

The online course covers topics such as produce safety, quality assurance, food safety, purchasing, merchandising, and customer service. The on-site exam consists of multiple choice questions and hands-on activities related to produce management. To be eligible for the CPM certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience working in a produce department or have completed an accredited postsecondary degree in horticulture or a related field.

It typically takes about four months to complete the CPM certification process from start to finish. During this time, applicants must complete the online course and pass the on-site exam with a minimum score of 80%.

The cost for the CPM certification varies depending on whether you are a PMA member or non-member. For members, it costs $250; for non-members it costs $400.

8. Certified Dairy Management Professional (CDMP)

The Certified Dairy Management Professional (CDMP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have mastered the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a dairy farm. The program is offered by the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA).

To become certified, applicants must demonstrate mastery of the following areas: animal nutrition, reproduction, genetics, herd health management, milk quality and safety, business management and marketing. Applicants must also complete an approved course in dairy production or management.

The CDMP certification process typically takes about six months to complete. To get started, applicants must submit an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation. After submitting the application materials, applicants must take an exam that covers the core concepts of dairy management. Once they pass the exam, they will be awarded their CDMP certificate.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the type of course taken and other factors such as location and duration of study. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 to become certified as a CDMP.

9. Certified Meat Management Professional (CMMP)

Certified Meat Management Professional (CMMP) is a certification program offered by the American Meat Science Association (AMSA). This certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the areas of meat science, meat processing, and meat management.

The CMMP program requires applicants to complete a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as food safety, product quality, animal welfare, slaughter and fabrication techniques, packaging and labeling requirements, and more. The exam consists of two parts: a written portion and an oral component. The written portion must be completed within three hours and is composed of multiple-choice questions. The oral component consists of an interview with an AMSA-approved panel of experts.

In order to be eligible for the CMMP certification program, applicants must have at least three years of experience in the field or possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Additionally, applicants must submit documentation verifying their work experience or educational background.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the CMMP program depending on how quickly you can study for and pass the exam.

The cost of obtaining the CMMP certification varies depending on your location but usually ranges from $500-$1,000 USD. This fee includes all materials needed for the exam as well as any additional fees associated with registration or travel expenses if necessary.

Overall, obtaining the Certified Meat Management Professional (CMMP) certification is an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise in meat science and meat management practices. It can also open up new opportunities for career advancement within the industry.

10. Certified Seafood Management Professional (CSMP)

Certified Seafood Management Professional (CSMP) is a certification program offered by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI). It is designed to provide industry professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage seafood operations. The CSMP program covers topics such as food safety, traceability, sustainability, production, marketing, and distribution.

The CSMP program consists of two courses: Introduction to Seafood Management and Advanced Seafood Management. The Introduction course takes approximately 8 hours to complete while the Advanced course takes approximately 16 hours. Once both courses are completed, individuals must pass an exam in order to become certified.

In order to get the CSMP certification, individuals must first register for the program online or by calling NFI directly. After registering for the program, individuals will receive access to both courses which can be taken online or in person at an NFI-approved training facility.

The cost of the CSMP program varies depending on how you choose to take it. If you choose to take it online, it costs $395 for both courses and $50 for the exam fee. If you choose to take it in person at an approved training facility, it costs $595 for both courses and $50 for the exam fee.

Do You Really Need a Grocery Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and ambitions. If you are looking to pursue a career in the grocery industry, then having a Grocery Manager Certificate can be beneficial. It will demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a successful grocery store. With this certification, you can prove to employers that you have the experience and qualifications required for the position.

Having a Grocery Manager Certificate can also open up other opportunities within the industry, such as consulting work or teaching positions. In addition, having this certificate may make you more attractive to potential employers when applying for jobs. It shows that you are knowledgeable about the industry and are committed to ongoing professional development.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Grocery Manager Certificate will depend on what type of career path you want to pursue in the grocery industry. If it is something that interests you, obtaining this certificate could be beneficial in helping further your career goals.

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FAQs About Grocery Manager Certifications

1. What is Grocery Manager Certification?

Answer: Grocery Manager Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's knowledge and experience in the grocery industry. The certification is typically earned through completing a training program and passing a written exam.

2. What are the benefits of getting Grocery Manager Certified?

Answer: Benefits of becoming certified include increased job opportunities, higher pay, and recognition of your expertise in the grocery industry. Additionally, it can help you to stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs.

3. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The amount of time needed to complete the training program and pass the exam varies depending on each individual’s learning style and familiarity with the subject matter. Generally, most people can become certified within 3-6 months if they dedicate enough time to their studies.

4. What topics will be covered on the certification exam?

Answer: Topics covered on the exam include inventory management, customer service, food safety procedures, merchandising strategies, and store operations.

5. Is there an age requirement for obtaining Grocery Manager Certification?

Answer: No, there is no age requirement for obtaining Grocery Manager Certification; however, individuals must be 18 years or older to take the written examination required for certification.