Purchasing Management Certificate Program

Overview

This four course certificate program is designed for individuals preparing for the Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) national exam or for those individuals seeking in-depth analysis of purchasing materials management and general management principles. The program will be useful to buyers, purchasing managers, non-purchasing management personnel, and persons at all levels seeking the CPM designation. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the four course series.

Each 30-hour course is approved for Institute for Supply Management (ISM), (formerly NAPM) hours as are the courses in the Penn State Production Management Certificate, Management Development Program for Supervisors, Quality Methods and Management Certificate, Quality Auditing Certificate, and Business Logistics Certificate.

Benefits

• Improve your understanding of the field of purchasing and supply management
• Increase your awareness of the factors influencing purchasing and of where the profession is headed
• Prepare you to attain CPM status.

PRMGT 5000 - The Purchasing Function (Module 1)
This course focuses on the overall purchasing process and its major elements, including the requisitioning process, sourcing, bidding, and the supplier evaluation, and offers an overview of cost and contract management. It examines how technology has changed procurement techniques and provides a summary of key legal issues facing purchasers.

PRMGT 5001 - Supply Environment (Module 2)
This course provides an overview of purchasings's role in strategy and looks at how globalization, just-in-time, and mass customization are affecting purchasing as well as issues related to negotiations, quality, reengineering, and supply chain management. The increased role and impact of information technology is also examined, as are the skill sets required for success in purchasing in the future. It emphasizes how the ever-changing environment in which purchasers operate is affecting their roles today and in the future.

PRMGT 5002 - Value Enhancement Strategies (Module 3)
This course explores both traditional and leading-edge approaches for increasing purchasing contributions to organizational success. It looks at outsourcing and lease versus buy issues and into the many issues associated with inventory management, including both inventory classification and disposal. Other topics presented include value enhancement methods, such as standardization, value analysis, and target costing. The course closes with a discussion of developing and using forecast data.

PRMGT 5003 - Management (Module 4)
This course provides an overview of key general management issues as applied to purchasing activities and purchasing's role in the organization. It covers topics including an overview of strategic planning and budgeting processes, and presents specific issues related to effectively recruiting, managing, and retaining good employees. It discusses the role of operating policies and procedures, tools to manage workflow, and performance monitoring, and closes with a presentation of how to effectively present purchasing performance results within the organization.

For more information about the upcoming course schedule, registration, and open enrollment and contract training options, call Erin Mariano at 717-948-6709.