Top 10 Procurement Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for a procurement coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate the individual’s knowledge and skills related to their field. Certifications can show potential employers that an individual is qualified for a specific role and can provide assurance that they have received proper training. Additionally, certifications may be necessary for certain roles or positions, meaning that without them, an individual may not even be considered for the job. Finally, certifications provide a competitive edge when it comes to negotiating salaries and other compensation packages as employers may be willing to pay more for someone with the right credentials.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Procurement Coordinators and explain how they can help to advance a procurement coordinator's career.

What are Procurement Coordinator Certifications?

Procurement coordinator certification is a professional credential that demonstrates the knowledge and skills of individuals in the field of procurement. This certification is offered by several organizations, such as the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), and can help individuals advance their careers in the field. It also provides recognition from employers and potential clients that an individual has a strong understanding of supply chain management principles and practices.

Certification can be beneficial to those already working in procurement, as well as those who are just starting out in the profession. For current professionals, it serves as proof of their expertise, helping them stand out from other candidates for promotions or new positions. Those just beginning their careers will benefit because certification shows they have a comprehensive understanding of the field and can be trusted with more responsibility right away.

For employers, having employees with procurement coordinator certification ensures they have access to knowledgeable professionals who can help keep operations running smoothly without costly delays or errors due to lack of experience. Additionally, certified personnel often have better problem-solving skills than those without certification, which helps businesses save money on costly mistakes.

Pro Tip: Obtaining a procurement coordinator certification can help to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field, as well as give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs. Make sure to research the different certifications available and choose one that is best suited for your career goals.

Related: What does a Procurement Coordinator do?

Top 10 Procurement Coordinator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Procurement Coordinators today.

1. Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) is a professional certification for supply chain and procurement professionals. It is awarded by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully manage the supply chain.

To become a CPSM, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have at least three years of full-time professional experience in supply management or a related field;
• Pass three exams administered by ISM; and
• Agree to abide by ISM’s Code of Ethics.

The exams cover topics such as strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, risk management, logistics, and more. The exams are offered twice a year in April and October.

The cost of becoming a CPSM depends on whether you are an ISM member or non-member. If you are an ISM member, the cost is $1,100 ($700 for each exam plus $100 application fee). If you are not an ISM member, the cost is $1,400 ($900 for each exam plus $200 application fee).

Once all requirements have been met and you have passed all three exams, you will receive your CPSM designation within six weeks after submitting your application.

2. Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)

Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The CPM certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in purchasing and supply management.

The CPM program requires candidates to complete five courses, each of which can be completed online or in-person. Candidates must also pass an exam after completing the courses. The courses cover topics such as procurement, logistics, inventory management, supplier relations, and contract law.

To qualify for the CPM certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in purchasing and supply management or a related field. Those without the required experience may still apply but will need to complete additional coursework before taking the exam.

The cost of the CPM program varies depending on whether you take the courses online or in-person. Online courses typically range from $400-$600 per course while in-person classes can cost up to $1,000 per course. The exam fee is an additional $450.

In total, it can take up to six months to complete all five courses and pass the exam for CPM certification.

3. Certified Procurement Professional (CPP)

Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in procurement and supply chain management. The CPP certification is offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), which is the largest professional organization for supply chain professionals.

To become certified, candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. To be eligible, applicants must have at least three years of full-time work experience in procurement or related fields, such as supply chain management, logistics, or operations. Candidates must also possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

The CPP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as purchasing theory and practices, contract law and negotiation strategies, supplier selection and evaluation processes, inventory management techniques, and ethical considerations in procurement. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost of the CPP certification program varies depending on whether you are a member of ISM or not. For members, the cost is $495 USD; for non-members it is $695 USD. This fee includes access to study materials and the exam fee.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your Certified Procurement Professional certificate from ISM within six to eight weeks.

4. 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 an internationally recognized certification that validates your knowledge of supply chain management best practices. The CSCP program provides you with the necessary skills to effectively manage global supply chains, from strategy and design through execution and improvement.

The CSCP program consists of three parts: a comprehensive course, an exam, and continuing education. The course takes approximately 120 hours to complete, including self-study time. To get certified, you must pass the CSCP exam, which is a three-hour computer-based test consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. You can take the exam at any Prometric testing center worldwide.

The cost of the CSCP program varies depending on your location and other factors, but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 USD for all three components.

5. Certified Green Procurement Professional (CGPP)

Certified Green Procurement Professional (CGPP) is a certification program offered by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). It is designed to provide government procurement professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to make environmentally responsible purchasing decisions. The CGPP certification provides purchasers with the tools and resources needed to implement green procurement practices in their organizations.

The CGPP certification process consists of three parts: an online self-assessment, a two-day training course, and a final exam. The self-assessment is designed to assess the applicant’s current understanding of green procurement principles and practices. The two-day training course covers topics such as environmental regulations, sustainable materials management, green purchasing strategies, and best practices for implementing green procurement initiatives. After completing the course, applicants must pass a final exam in order to become certified.

The cost of obtaining the CGPP certification varies depending on where you take the course. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000-$2,000 for all three parts of the certification process.

In order to get certified as a CGPP professional, you must first complete an online self-assessment and then attend a two-day training course at an approved provider. After successfully completing both components, you will be eligible to take the final exam which will determine whether or not you have earned your CGPP certification.

6. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge, experience, and skills in project management. PMP certification holders are seen as experts in their field and are sought after for their abilities to lead projects effectively.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the PMP exam. To be eligible to take the exam, you must have either a four-year degree or equivalent education plus at least three years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects. If you do not meet these requirements, you can still qualify with a high school diploma or associate's degree plus five years of project management experience with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects.

To get your PMP certification, you must first apply for it through the PMI website. Once approved, you will need to take the four-hour exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions. The cost of taking the exam is $405 for members of PMI and $555 for non-members. You must also pay an annual membership fee to maintain your certification which is currently $129/year for members and $179/year for non-members.

In addition to passing the exam, you must also complete 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years in order to maintain your certification status. PDUs can be earned through attending conferences or workshops related to project management, teaching courses related to project management, writing articles related to project management or volunteering on committees related to project management.

7. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a certain level of knowledge and understanding in the Six Sigma methodology. The certification is awarded to those who demonstrate proficiency in the principles and tools of Six Sigma, as well as their application to business processes.

The certification process typically takes around four months to complete, depending on the individual's availability and commitment. It includes completing an online course, passing a written exam, and completing a project demonstrating mastery of the material learned.

To get certified, individuals must first register for an accredited program such as ASQ or IASSC. After registering, they will be provided with access to online materials that cover topics such as DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) methodology, data analysis techniques, problem solving strategies, and more. Once these materials are completed, individuals must pass a written exam with a minimum score of 70% to receive their certification.

The cost of Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the program chosen but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

8. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to become successful Lean Six Sigma practitioners. The program focuses on teaching the principles of Lean Six Sigma, which is an approach to process improvement that combines both Lean and Six Sigma philosophies. It also emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision making and problem solving.

The certification typically takes around four months to complete, depending on the individual's experience level and availability. To get certified, individuals must complete a series of courses and exams that cover topics such as Lean Six Sigma fundamentals, project management, data analysis, and process improvement tools. After completing all of the coursework and exams, individuals must pass a final exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the provider offering the certification program. Generally speaking, it can range from $2,000 to $6,000 or more for all required materials and exams. Some providers may offer discounts for groups or organizations looking to certify multiple people at once.

In addition to taking courses and passing exams, some providers may also require candidates to have a minimum amount of work experience in order to be eligible for certification. This requirement may vary by provider so it’s important to check with them before enrolling in any program.

9. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Certification

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Certification is a professional credential that recognizes the knowledge and expertise of supply chain professionals. It is designed to validate the skills and abilities of individuals who work in the field of supply management.

The ISM Certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, and techniques of supply management. To obtain the certification, candidates must pass an exam administered by ISM. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as procurement, inventory control, logistics, supplier relations, and more.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the exam and complete all requirements for certification. Candidates should plan to spend at least 20 hours per week studying for the exam in order to be successful.

To get started with ISM Certification, applicants must first register online with ISM and pay a non-refundable fee of $395 USD. Once registered, they can access study materials including practice exams and test preparation courses offered by ISM or other organizations approved by ISM. After successfully passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certificate from ISM.

In addition to the registration fee, candidates may also need to pay additional fees depending on their chosen study materials or courses. The cost of these materials varies depending on which ones are chosen but can range from $50-$500 USD or more.

10. Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Certification

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) is an international professional body for procurement and supply professionals. It offers a range of qualifications, including the CIPS Certification, which is designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge required to practice in the field of procurement and supply.

The CIPS Certification is a three-level qualification that takes approximately two years to complete. The first level requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of basic concepts in procurement and supply, such as principles, processes and procedures. The second level focuses on developing more advanced skills such as negotiation, contract management, risk management and sustainability. Finally, the third level covers strategic aspects of procurement and supply such as leadership, innovation and globalisation.

To get the CIPS Certification, you must first register with CIPS. You will then need to pass a series of examinations at each level before you can progress onto the next one. Depending on your experience and qualifications, you may be able to skip some levels or take exemptions from certain exams. Once you have completed all three levels successfully, you will receive your certification.

The cost of obtaining the CIPS Certification varies depending on which country you are studying in. Generally speaking it costs around £2,000-£3,000 for all three levels combined.

Do You Really Need a Procurement Coordinator Certificate?

No, you do not need a procurement coordinator certificate to be a successful procurement coordinator. A certificate is not necessary for a career in procurement and can even be seen as an unnecessary expense. However, having a certificate may give you an advantage when applying for jobs or promotions in the field of procurement. It can also provide you with some valuable knowledge that will help you in your job as a procurement coordinator.

In order to become a successful procurement coordinator, it is important to have knowledge of the principles and processes of purchasing goods and services. You should also have experience in dealing with vendors, negotiating contracts, and managing budgets. All of these skills can be learned through on-the-job experience or by taking courses related to purchasing and supply chain management.

Having a certificate might be helpful if you are looking for a higher level position or promotion within the field of procurement. It could also be beneficial if you are looking to switch careers or start out in this field without much prior experience. Certificates typically demonstrate that you have taken courses related to the profession and understand the concepts involved in managing a purchasing department. The cost associated with obtaining such certificates can vary depending on which institution is offering them, so research thoroughly before making any decisions about enrolling in such programs.

Overall, having a certification is not necessary for success as a procurement coordinator but it could prove beneficial depending on your goals and circumstances. Consider carefully whether earning one would be worth the time, effort, and cost involved before making any decisions about pursuing such certifications.

Related: Procurement Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Procurement Coordinator Certifications

1. What is a Procurement Coordinator Certification?

A Procurement Coordinator Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of procurement. It provides recognition of a person’s ability to effectively manage the purchasing and supply chain processes, as well as his or her understanding of related topics such as contract negotiation, supplier selection, and inventory management.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Procurement Coordinator Certification?

The primary benefit of obtaining a Procurement Coordinator Certification is gaining recognition for your knowledge and skill in this important field. Additionally, it can help you stand out from other job applicants when applying for procurement-related positions, or even open up new career possibilities.

3. How do I become certified?

To become certified as a Procurement Coordinator, you must typically take an exam administered by a recognized certifying body such as the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The exam covers topics such as procurement principles and procedures, contract law and negotiation strategies, supplier selection criteria, and inventory management systems.

4. How long does it take to obtain certification?

The amount of time required to obtain certification varies depending on the certifying body; however, most exams require between two to three hours to complete. In addition to taking the exam, some organizations may require additional training or experience before granting certification.

5. Is there an expiration date on my certification?

Yes; most certifications have an expiration date that must be renewed periodically in order to maintain active status. Generally speaking, these renewals are required every two years; however this may vary depending on the certifying body or organization providing the certification.