Top 10 Sourcing Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a sourcing manager in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has a certain level of expertise and knowledge about the industry. They can also show that the individual has taken the time to gain specific professional qualifications, which can make them more attractive to employers. Additionally, certifications provide tangible proof of an individual's capabilities and help set them apart from other candidates when competing for a job.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Sourcing Managers, and explains how they can help to advance a sourcing manager's career.

What are Sourcing Manager Certifications?

Sourcing Manager Certification is a professional certification designed for individuals who want to increase their knowledge and expertise in the field of sourcing management. This certification provides a comprehensive understanding of procurement, supplier relationships, and contract management. It also helps individuals develop skills in cost savings analysis, financial analysis, negotiation, and project management.

The certification covers the fundamentals of sourcing and procurement from the basics such as understanding contracts and vendor selection to more advanced topics like strategic sourcing and supply chain risk management. It also covers topics such as stakeholder engagement, supplier performance evaluation, pricing strategies, global sourcing, supplier diversity initiatives, sustainability considerations, and dispute resolution methods. By taking this course individuals can gain an understanding of best practices in the industry as well as develop their own unique approach to managing the procurement process.

By obtaining Sourcing Manager Certification individuals can demonstrate their knowledge of current trends in the industry while gaining recognition from employers that they have sought additional training to improve their skillset. With this certification employers can be assured that these professionals understand all facets of sourcing management including identifying potential suppliers that meet their standards while providing cost-effective solutions to meet organizational objectives. Additionally, certified professionals are better equipped to manage disputes between suppliers and customers while helping organizations save money by finding low-cost alternatives or negotiating better terms on existing contracts.

Pro Tip: When sourcing manager certification, look for programs that offer a comprehensive curriculum covering both technical and soft skills. This will ensure that the manager is well-versed in all aspects of their role and can effectively lead their team. Additionally, check for certifications that are up-to-date with current industry standards and best practices.

Related: What does a Sourcing Manager do?

Top 10 Sourcing Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Sourcing Manager (CPSM)

Certified Professional Sourcing Manager (CPSM) is a certification program offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The CPSM certification is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in sourcing and procurement. It is the highest level of professional recognition available in the field of purchasing and supply management.

The CPSM program consists of three levels: Foundation, Professional, and Executive. Each level requires different qualifications, experience, and education. To obtain the Foundation level certification, applicants must complete a series of online courses and pass an exam. To obtain the Professional or Executive levels, applicants must have at least five years of relevant experience in addition to completing the Foundation level requirements.

The cost for each level of certification varies depending on the applicant's country of residence; however, all costs include registration fees, course materials, and examination fees. The total cost for all three levels ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 USD.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to obtain CPSM certification depending on how quickly you can complete the required courses and exams.

2. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a certification program offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). The CSCP program is designed to recognize professionals who have mastered the essential technology, concepts and strategies related to supply chain management. It is the most comprehensive and globally recognized certification program for supply chain professionals.

The CSCP program takes an average of 6-12 months to complete depending on your study habits and dedication. To get certified, you must first pass the CSCP exam which consists of 150 multiple choice questions. After successfully passing the exam, you must then demonstrate at least three years of professional experience in supply chain management or related field.

The cost for the CSCP program varies depending on your membership status with ASCM. For non-members, it costs $695 USD for just the exam fee and $995 USD for both the exam and study materials. For members of ASCM, it costs $495 USD for just the exam fee and $795 USD for both the exam and study materials.

3. Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)

Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of experienced purchasing professionals. The CPM program is offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), an organization that provides education, research, and training in supply chain management.

To become certified as a CPM, applicants must have at least five years of progressive purchasing experience and pass a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as procurement practices, contract law, supplier relations, logistics management, and risk management.

The certification process typically takes about 4-6 months from start to finish. Applicants must first submit an application package to ISM which includes proof of experience as well as transcripts from any relevant courses taken. Once approved, applicants can register for the exam which is administered twice per year in April and October.

The cost for the CPM program varies depending on whether you are an ISM member or non-member. For members, the cost is $1125 USD while non-members pay $1400 USD. This fee includes access to study materials and practice tests as well as the actual exam fee.

4. Global Sourcing Certification Program (GSCP)

The Global Sourcing Certification Program (GSCP) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to become successful global sourcing professionals. The GSCP is designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills to effectively manage global sourcing operations, including understanding international business laws, regulations and practices, as well as developing and executing effective strategies for working with suppliers in various countries.

The GSCP can be completed in six months or less depending on the individual’s commitment level. The program consists of four modules: Introduction to Global Sourcing, International Business Law and Regulations, Supplier Relationship Management, and Strategic Sourcing. Each module includes online lectures and assessments. The cost of the GSCP varies depending on the number of modules taken but typically ranges from $2,000-$3,000 USD.

In order to get certified by GSCP, an individual must pass all four modules with a score of 70% or higher. After completing the coursework and passing all four modules, an individual will receive their GSCP certification which is valid for two years.

5. Strategic Sourcing Professional (SSP)

Strategic Sourcing Professional (SSP) is a certification program offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and manage strategic sourcing initiatives. The certification is based on ISM’s “Best Practices in Strategic Sourcing” which includes topics such as supplier selection, negotiation techniques, cost analysis, and contract management.

The SSP program consists of four courses: Introduction to Strategic Sourcing; Negotiations; Cost Analysis; and Contract Management. Each course takes approximately eight hours to complete. Upon completion of all four courses, participants are eligible to take the SSP exam.

The cost of the program varies depending on how many courses you choose to take. The full program costs $2,495 USD plus applicable taxes or $595 USD per course plus applicable taxes.

To get started with the SSP program, you must first register online at ISM's website. Once registered, you will be able to access the online learning platform where you can begin taking the courses at your own pace. After completing all four courses and passing the exam, you will receive your official certificate from ISM as well as recognition from peers in your industry.

6. Certified International Procurement Professional (CIPP)

Certified International Procurement Professional (CIPP) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professionals in international procurement. This certification is offered by the International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM).

The CIPP program consists of two levels: CIPP-Foundation and CIPP-Advanced. The Foundation level provides an introduction to international procurement principles, practices, and procedures. It covers topics such as global sourcing, supplier selection and management, contract negotiation, dispute resolution, risk management, and compliance. The Advanced level builds on the Foundation level by providing more in-depth coverage of topics such as strategic sourcing, supply chain management, project management, performance metrics, and cost analysis.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the CIPP program depending on your learning style and availability. To get started with the CIPP program you will need to register online with IACCM and purchase a course package that includes both the Foundation and Advanced levels. The cost of this package varies depending on whether you are an IACCM member or non-member. For members it costs $1125 USD while for non-members it costs $1425 USD.

7. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD)

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the field of supplier diversity. The CPSD certification is awarded to individuals who can demonstrate their understanding of the principles and practices of supplier diversity, as well as their ability to implement those principles and practices into an organization’s supply chain.

The certification process takes approximately 6-8 weeks from start to finish. To become certified, applicants must first meet all prerequisites, which include having at least two years of experience working in supplier diversity or related fields and completing an approved training course. Once these requirements are met, applicants must then pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as supplier diversity management, legal requirements and best practices.

The cost of obtaining the CPSD certification varies depending on the type of training course taken. Generally, courses range from $1,000-$2,500 USD. Additionally, there is a non-refundable application fee of $150 USD required when submitting an application for the CPSD examination.

8. APICS Supply Chain Operations Reference Professional (SCOR-P)

APICS Supply Chain Operations Reference Professional (SCOR-P) is a certification program offered by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). It is designed to provide professionals with a comprehensive understanding of supply chain operations and how they can be used to improve organizational performance. The SCOR-P certification is divided into two parts: the Foundation Level and the Professional Level.

The Foundation Level focuses on core concepts such as supply chain strategy, process design, performance measurement, and supply chain analytics. This level takes approximately 10 hours to complete and costs $495 for APICS members ($595 for non-members).

The Professional Level builds on the knowledge gained in the Foundation Level by focusing on more advanced topics such as supply chain optimization, risk management, and sustainability. This level takes approximately 20 hours to complete and costs $695 for APICS members ($795 for non-members).

To get certified at either level, you must pass an online exam with a score of 70% or higher. You can register for the exam online or through your local APICS chapter.

9. Association for Talent Development’s Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Certificate

The Association for Talent Development’s (ATD) Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Certificate is a professional certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills needed to effectively source, purchase, and manage goods and services. The certificate program consists of three courses: Introduction to Strategic Sourcing and Procurement, Advanced Strategic Sourcing and Procurement, and Leadership in Strategic Sourcing and Procurement. The program can be completed in as little as six months or up to two years depending on the individual's pace.

To get the certificate, individuals must complete all three courses within two years. Each course consists of 10-12 hours of self-paced online learning activities such as videos, readings, quizzes, discussions, and case studies. Upon successful completion of each course, participants will receive a digital badge that they can share with employers or peers.

The cost for the entire program is $1,495 USD which includes access to all three courses plus one year of membership in ATD.

10. American Purchasing Society’s Certified Purchasing and Materials Manager (CPMM).

The Certified Purchasing and Materials Manager (CPMM) is a professional certification offered by the American Purchasing Society (APS). The CPMM certification is designed to recognize experienced purchasing and materials management professionals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field.

To be eligible for the CPMM certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in purchasing and materials management, as well as a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Applicants must also pass an examination that covers topics such as procurement strategies, supplier relationships, inventory control, contract administration, logistics management, and cost analysis.

The CPMM certification process typically takes around four months to complete. To begin the process, applicants must submit an application form along with their resume and proof of education credentials to APS. Once the application is approved, applicants will receive access to a study guide and practice exam to help them prepare for the exam.

Once the exam has been completed successfully, applicants will receive their official CPMM certificate within two weeks. The cost of obtaining the CPMM certification varies depending on whether you are a member of APS or not. For non-members, it costs $495; for members it costs $395.

Do You Really Need a Sourcing Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. For some, a Sourcing Manager Certificate may be necessary for career advancement, while for others it may not be required.

For those who want to get into the field of sourcing management or make a career out of it, a certificate can be beneficial in demonstrating knowledge and skills to potential employers. It also provides proof that you have taken the time to learn about the field and understand its principles and practices. This type of certification can also help you stand out from other applicants when applying for positions in sourcing management.

On the other hand, if you are already working in sourcing management or have experience in the field, a certificate may not be necessary. The key is to assess your own needs and decide whether such certification will help you achieve your professional goals or if it is unnecessary given your current level of experience. If you have been working in sourcing management for several years without any additional certifications, then getting one may not necessarily benefit your career.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a Sourcing Manager Certificate depends largely on what your goals are and what kind of experience you already have in the field. If a certificate can help you move forward with your career goals, then it may be worth pursuing; however, if you already have sufficient knowledge and experience in sourcing management, then it might not be necessary.

Related: Sourcing Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Sourcing Manager Certifications

Q1. What is a Sourcing Manager Certification?

A1. A Sourcing Manager Certification is an industry-recognized program that provides sourcing professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage their organization’s sourcing activities. The certification focuses on core competencies such as strategic sourcing, procurement, supply chain management, and contract management.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Sourcing Manager?

A2. To become certified as a Sourcing Manager, you must complete an approved course of study from an accredited institution and pass the corresponding exam. After passing the exam, you must submit your application to the relevant professional association for review and approval before you can receive your certification.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming a Sourcing Manager?

A3. Becoming a certified Sourcing Manager has many benefits, including improved job prospects, increased credibility in the industry, better salary potential, access to exclusive networking opportunities with other professionals in the field, and more recognition for your accomplishments.

Q4. How much does it cost to get a Sourcing Manager Certification?

A4. The cost of obtaining a Sourcing Manager Certification varies depending on which institution and program you choose to complete your studies through. Generally speaking, however, most programs can be completed for around $2,000 - $5,000 USD depending on the level of qualification being sought after (e.g Associate or Professional).

Q5. How long does it take to get certified as a Sourcing Manager?

A5. On average it takes around 6 months to 1 year to complete all requirements for certification as a Sourcing Manager depending on which institution and program you choose to pursue your studies through..