The Certified Procurement & Purchasing Specialist (CPPS) certification program is a well-respected professional credential designed to equip individuals with core competencies and practical expertise in procurement, purchasing, and supply chain operations. In today’s increasingly interconnected and cost-sensitive marketplace, organizations across industries rely on skilled specialists to manage sourcing, inventory, supplier relationships, and logistics with accuracy and efficiency. The CPPS program is crafted to help professionals build a solid foundation in procurement principles while advancing their ability to contribute to cost control, resource planning, and overall supply chain performance.

Procurement and purchasing are not merely about transactional buying—they are strategic functions that involve planning, evaluating suppliers, managing materials, negotiating effectively, and aligning procurement activities with business objectives. The CPPS certification dives deep into essential topics such as materials management, logistics, cost analysis, and special procurement applications across various sectors. Whether working in manufacturing, public sector, healthcare, or service industries, CPPS-certified professionals will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to streamline procurement functions, support operational continuity, and enhance organizational value through optimized purchasing strategies.

Certification Program Objectives:

Upon completing the Certified Procurement & Purchasing Specialist (CPPS) program, participants will be able to:

• Understand Purchasing and Supply Management Fundamentals: Build a comprehensive understanding of procurement concepts, procurement cycles, and key supply chain components.
• Manage Materials and Inventory Effectively: Gain skills in materials planning, control, forecasting, and replenishment strategies to ensure operational efficiency.
• Apply Core Purchasing Strategies: Learn to execute procurement processes efficiently using best practices in sourcing, vendor selection, and documentation.
• Analyze Costs and Negotiate Competently: Acquire tools to assess price and cost structures, conduct supplier cost comparisons, and negotiate favorable terms.
• Implement Specialized Purchasing Applications: Understand procurement processes for specialized categories, including project-based, capital equipment, or MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations).
• Integrate Logistics and Supply Chain Principles: Explore transportation, warehousing, and distribution strategies to support comprehensive supply chain execution.

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

To apply for certification from The American Institute of Business and Management (AIBM) and its allied institutions, candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution

And/or

• 2 to 5 years of relevant work experience in the related professional field.

Note: Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree but possess exceptional professional experience and hold significant positions within their organizations in a relevant field may also be considered for certification on a case-by-case basis, subject to the approval of the AIBM evaluation committee.

Certifying Examination:

• To be certified as CPPS, student should take up a 1.5 hours online exam conducted by AIPLM.
• The qualifying exam would consist of 50 multiple choice questions, testing core certification modules.
• Professionals with relevant experience and other qualifying criteria may be exempted from the examination.

Certification Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to Purchasing and Supply Management
• Module 2: Materials Management
• Module 3: Fundamentals of Purchasing and Supply Management
• Module 4: Price/Cost Analysis and Negotiation Strategies
• Module 5: Special Purchasing Application
• Module 6: Advanced Logistics and Supply Chain Management

* The modules of the certification are constantly updated and are subject to change.

Who Should Do This Certification:

The CPPS certification is ideal for early to mid-career professionals seeking to strengthen their purchasing and procurement skillset and advance in logistics or supply chain roles. This certification is particularly valuable for:

• Purchasing Officers and Buyers: Professionals handling order placement, supplier coordination, and procurement execution will gain structured insights into end-to-end purchasing functions.
• Materials and Inventory Coordinators: Individuals responsible for stock control, material requisition, and warehouse operations can use CPPS to enhance planning and replenishment accuracy.
• Procurement Assistants and Specialists: Entry-level staff or those transitioning into procurement roles will benefit from a strong foundation in procurement policies, ethics, and tools.
• Logistics and Supply Chain Technicians: Individuals working with transportation, warehousing, or distribution teams will broaden their capabilities through integrated supply chain perspectives.
• Operations and Production Support Staff: Those involved in planning and supporting production processes will gain valuable knowledge in sourcing materials and managing supplier timelines.
• Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: Leaders managing procurement tasks independently will learn to make informed sourcing decisions and manage supplier relationships efficiently.
• Administrative and Finance Staff: Individuals supporting procurement or budgeting activities can use this certification to enhance their understanding of vendor pricing, cost control, and purchasing records.

Whether working in a manufacturing plant, logistics center, government agency, or service-based organization, the CPPS certification offers a career-building credential that opens doors to procurement and supply chain roles, enabling professionals to deliver greater value and operational reliability within their organizations.