Contract Compliance

Expanding Your Professional Skills in Procurement: Top Certifications and Training Resources Beyond CIPS

Navigating a career in procurement can be both rewarding and challenging. With over seven years of experience in the field, professionals often find themselves at a crossroads—seeking to enhance their expertise, stay competitive, and reignite their passion for the industry. If you’re feeling stagnant or unsure about your next steps, exploring additional certifications and training programs can be a strategic move towards career growth.

Assessing the Need for Further Qualification

While practical experience is invaluable, formal education and certifications can significantly bolster your credentials. Given your background in accounting, you already possess a strong foundation in financial analysis and compliance, which are highly relevant in procurement roles. However, expanding your skill set with specialized training can open new doors and prepare you for higher-level responsibilities.

Certification Options Beyond CIPS

While the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) is a globally recognized credential, there are numerous other certifications and training programs that can complement or serve as alternatives, depending on your career goals:

1. Project Management Certifications
2. PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP): Recognized worldwide, PMP certification can equip you with essential project planning, execution, and leadership skills.

3. PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments): Especially popular in the UK and Europe, PRINCE2 offers a structured approach to project management, applicable in procurement projects.

4. Supply Chain Management Credentials

5. APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP): This certification focuses on end-to-end supply chain management, encompassing procurement, logistics, and forecasting.

6. ISM’s Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM): Offered by the Institute for Supply Management, this credential emphasizes strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.

7. Specialized Procurement Courses and Certifications

8. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Certifications: Focused training on negotiation, strategic sourcing, and supplier diversity.

9. ProCurement Certification: Various online courses available through platforms like Coursera or Udemy can offer targeted skill development in contracts, vendor management, and procurement analytics.

10. Financial and Business Analysis Certifications

11. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): If your goal is to strengthen financial analysis within procurement, CFA credentials are highly regarded.
12. Certified Management Accountant (CMA): Another option to deepen your