Top 10 Manufacturing Analyst Certifications

Certifications for a manufacturing analyst in the job market are important for several reasons. First, they demonstrate to employers that the individual has a level of knowledge and experience with manufacturing processes and systems that can be verified through an external source. Second, certifications provide evidence that the individual is up-to-date on industry best practices and has taken steps to stay current in their field. Finally, certifications allow employers to differentiate between qualified candidates who have invested in professional development versus those who may not have done so. In summary, certifications provide a level of assurance to employers that a prospective employee is knowledgeable and experienced enough to perform well in the role they are applying for.

The purpose of this article is to review the most relevant certifications for Manufacturing Analysts and explain how these certifications can help them advance their career.

What are Manufacturing Analyst Certifications?

Manufacturing analyst certification is a professional credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills of individuals in the field of manufacturing. It is designed to assess and validate the skills necessary for successful performance in a variety of roles within the manufacturing industry, such as operations, engineering, quality control, supply chain management, and project management. The certification emphasizes technical expertise and proficiency in areas such as Lean Six Sigma methodologies, data analysis, process improvement, cost reduction strategies, and product design.

Having a manufacturing analyst certification can help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in these areas to employers or clients. It also gives them an edge over other job seekers who may not have this specialized knowledge or experience. Additionally, having this credential can help professionals increase their marketability by showing employers that they are knowledgeable about current trends in the industry and have the ability to apply new technologies to create better production processes. Finally, it can open up opportunities for career advancement by providing recognition for those who have achieved a level of mastery in their chosen field.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a manufacturing analyst certification, make sure to research the available options and evaluate which would best suit your career goals. Additionally, prioritize certifications that offer continuing education opportunities and access to industry-specific resources.

Related: What does a Manufacturing Analyst do?

Top 10 Manufacturing Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Manufacturing Analysts today.

1. Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMT)

Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMT) is a professional certification offered by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). The CMT certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an understanding of the principles and practices of modern manufacturing technology.

It typically takes between four and six months to complete the requirements for the CMT certification. This includes studying for and passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as safety, quality assurance, production processes, materials management, and more. Candidates must also demonstrate their knowledge through a portfolio review.

To become certified as a CMT, applicants must first join SME as a Professional Member. After joining, candidates can then register for the CMT exam online or by mail. The cost of taking the exam is $395 for members and $495 for non-members. Additionally, there is an annual renewal fee of $50 to maintain your CMT certification status.

2. Certified Professional in Production and Inventory Management (CPPIM)

Certified Professional in Production and Inventory Management (CPPIM) is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals in the field of production and inventory management. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to manage production and inventory operations in a professional setting.

The CPPIM certification is offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). To get certified, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of production and inventory management concepts, principles, and techniques. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as supply chain management, demand planning, inventory control, quality assurance, material requirements planning (MRP), enterprise resource planning (ERP), lean manufacturing, project management, and more.

The CPPIM certification process takes approximately three to six months to complete. Applicants must submit an application form along with supporting documentation such as transcripts from college or university courses related to production or inventory management. After submitting the application form, applicants will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to register for the exam. Once registered for the exam, applicants have up to one year to take it.

The cost of obtaining the CPPIM certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of APICS. For members of APICS, the cost is $395 USD; for non-members it is $495 USD. This fee includes access to online study materials as well as one attempt at taking the exam.

3. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills in quality engineering, management, and assurance. The CQE certification is internationally recognized as a mark of excellence in quality engineering.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CQE exam. This includes studying relevant materials, taking practice exams, and attending review courses or seminars.

To become certified as a CQE, individuals must pass the ASQ-administered CQE exam. The exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as quality control, statistical methods, design of experiments, quality systems and auditing, inspection techniques, and total quality management.

The cost of the CQE exam varies depending on the country where it is taken. In the United States it costs $350 USD; in Canada it costs $400 CAD; in Europe it costs €300 EUR; and in Asia Pacific it costs ¥25000 JPY.

4. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification offered by many organizations, including the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC). It is designed to help individuals understand and apply Lean Six Sigma principles in their work. The certification provides an understanding of the tools, techniques, and methodologies used to improve processes and reduce waste.

The certification process typically takes between two to four weeks to complete. To become certified, one must complete a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training program, which includes lectures, case studies, simulations, and assessments. After completing the training program, one will need to pass an online exam administered by IASSC or another approved organization.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the provider offering it. Generally speaking, most providers offer packages that range from $299 - $799 USD.

Once certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt professional, one can use their knowledge and skills to identify areas of improvement within their organization or industry. This can include reducing costs through improved processes or increasing customer satisfaction through better quality products or services. Additionally, having this certification may open up job opportunities or advancement possibilities in many industries.

5. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a professional certification offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). It is designed to recognize professionals who have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage global supply chain activities. The CSCP designation demonstrates an individual's commitment to the profession, as well as their expertise in supply chain management.

To become certified, individuals must complete an online exam that covers topics such as supply chain design, inventory management, logistics, customer service, global trade operations, and more. The exam consists of three parts: multiple-choice questions, simulations, and essay questions. The entire exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CSCP certification program, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in supply chain management or related fields. Additionally, they must also have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.

The cost of the CSCP exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically ranges from $400-$600 USD. After passing the exam, there is an annual maintenance fee of $60 USD that must be paid in order to maintain your certification status.

Overall, obtaining the CSCP certification can take anywhere from six months to two years depending on how quickly you are able to prepare for and pass the exam.

6. Certified Quality Auditor (CQA)

Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and proficiency in auditing principles, processes, and practices. The CQA certification is recognized worldwide as a symbol of quality assurance excellence and professionalism.

The CQA exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least eight years of work experience in quality auditing or related fields.

To obtain the CQA certification, applicants must first pass the CQA exam with a score of at least 70%. Once they pass the exam, they can apply for certification through ASQ's website. The application process includes submitting proof of work experience, providing references, and paying a fee.

The cost to take the CQA exam varies depending on whether you are an ASQ member or non-member. For members, it costs $419; for non-members it costs $519. In addition to this fee, there is also an annual renewal fee of $50 for both members and non-members.

7. Certified Production and Inventory Control Manager (CPICM)

Certified Production and Inventory Control Manager (CPICM) is a professional certification that demonstrates expertise in the areas of production and inventory control. It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively manage the production and inventory control functions in any organization.

The CPICM certification is offered through the Association for Operations Management (APICS). To become certified, candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements, including a minimum of three years of professional experience in production or inventory control management. Candidates must also pass an exam that covers topics such as supply chain management, operations management, project management, quality assurance, and cost accounting.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CPICM exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on how long it takes you to complete the exam preparation process. The cost of the exam can range from $1,000 - $2,000 USD depending on your chosen study materials and test prep courses.

In addition to passing the CPICM Exam, candidates must also complete a minimum of 30 hours of approved continuing education credits every three years to maintain their certification status.

8. American Society for Quality – Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)

American Society for Quality – Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully lead and manage quality and organizational excellence initiatives. It is designed to help organizations improve performance, productivity, and customer satisfaction through effective management of quality systems.

The CMQ/OE certification requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as quality management principles, process improvement methods, problem solving techniques, organizational change management, and leadership development. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with a three-hour time limit.

To become certified as a CMQ/OE, applicants must have at least five years of experience in leading or managing quality initiatives in an organization within the past 10 years. They must also have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or have completed an approved course in quality management. In addition, applicants must complete 40 hours of continuing education credits within two years prior to applying for the certification.

The cost of the CMQ/OE certification varies depending on whether you are already an ASQ member or not. For non-members, the fee is $450; for members it is $400. The fee includes the application fee and the cost of taking the exam.

Once you submit your application and pay the fee, you will receive an email confirming your eligibility to take the exam. You can then register for a test date at one of ASQ's testing centers located throughout the United States and Canada. After passing the exam, you will be awarded your CMQ/OE certificate within 6 weeks from your test date.

9. ASQ – Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

ASQ – Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CRE certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills to manage, analyze, and improve product reliability.

The CRE exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as reliability engineering fundamentals, design of experiments, statistical analysis and modeling, reliability testing, failure analysis and prediction, and reliability management. It takes approximately four hours to complete the exam.

To become certified as a CRE, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least five years of work experience in quality or reliability engineering and passing the CRE exam with a score of at least 70%. You may also be required to submit letters of recommendation from employers or other professionals in the field.

The cost for taking the CRE exam is $450 for ASQ members and $550 for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with preparing for the exam such as study materials or courses.

10. APICS – CPIM – Certified in Production and Inventory Management

APICS – CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) is a professional certification program designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage production and inventory activities within an organization. The program consists of five courses, which are divided into two modules: Basics of Supply Chain Management and Master Planning of Resources. Each module includes a comprehensive exam that must be passed in order to receive the certification.

The Basics of Supply Chain Management module covers topics such as supply chain management, operations management, inventory management, forecasting and demand planning, quality management, and enterprise resource planning. The Master Planning of Resources module covers topics such as master production scheduling, material requirements planning (MRP), capacity requirements planning (CRP), distribution requirements planning (DRP), just-in-time (JIT) concepts, total quality management (TQM), and lean manufacturing principles.

It typically takes 12–18 months to complete the APICS – CPIM program depending on how quickly you can complete the coursework and exams. You can choose to take the courses online or in person at an approved APICS training center. To get started with your APICS – CPIM certification journey you will need to purchase an APICS membership which costs $225 USD per year plus any additional fees for course materials or exams. Once you have completed all five courses and passed all five exams you will receive your official APICS – CPIM certificate from APICS International Headquarters in Chicago, IL USA.

Do You Really Need a Manufacturing Analyst Certificate?

When it comes to the question of whether or not you really need a manufacturing analyst certificate, the answer depends largely on what your career goals are. If you are looking to enter into a position as a manufacturing analyst, then having a certification can be extremely beneficial. It can give you an edge in the job market, and demonstrate to employers that you have taken the time and effort to gain specific knowledge in this field.

Having a certification also shows potential employers that you are dedicated to your profession and have taken initiative to improve your skills. It can help set you apart from other applicants who may have only basic knowledge of manufacturing processes. Many companies will require a certified analyst as part of their team, so having one could make all the difference when it comes to being hired.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in the manufacturing industry and want to move up within your current company or organization, then having a certification may not be necessary. In this case, your experience and knowledge is likely enough for employers seeking out qualified individuals for positions within their organization. However, if you would like to transition into another industry or area of expertise within manufacturing, then obtaining a certificate may be beneficial for showing potential employers that you have taken steps towards gaining additional skills and knowledge in this field.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a manufacturing analyst certificate depends on where you want to go with your career and what kind of job opportunities are available at any given time. A certification can provide valuable credentials that could give you an advantage over other applicants when seeking out employment in the field of manufacturing analysis; however, it is not always essential depending on your individual situation.

Related: Manufacturing Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Manufacturing Analyst Certifications

1. What types of certifications are available for Manufacturing Analysts?

Answer: There are several industry-specific certifications available for Manufacturing Analysts, including Certified Manufacturing Analyst (CMA), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Process Improvement Engineer (CPIE), and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).

2. Is certification necessary to become a successful Manufacturing Analyst?

Answer: While certification is not mandatory for success in the field of Manufacturing Analysis, it can provide a valuable edge over other job candidates and demonstrate expertise in the field. Additionally, some positions may require specific certifications as part of their job requirements.

3. How do I prepare for a Manufacturing Analyst certification exam?

Answer: Preparation for any certification exam should include studying relevant materials and taking practice tests to ensure familiarity with the content and format of the exam. Additionally, attending review courses or online classes can help to increase knowledge in key areas and build confidence before taking the test.

4. How long does it take to receive my certification after passing the exam?

Answer: Processing time varies by organization but typically takes between 4-6 weeks after passing an exam to receive your certification credentials in the mail or online.

5. What is the renewal process for certifications?

Answer: Renewal processes vary by organization, but typically involve retaking an exam every few years or completing a certain number of continuing education credits within a given period of time. It is important to keep track of renewal deadlines so that you do not lose your certification status due to expired credentials.