Supply Chain Procurement – ASCM (APICS) Certificate

Module 1: Mastering the Fundamentals of Procurement

• Definition and comparison of purchasing vs. procurement.
• Typology of purchased materials and services.
• Objectives of tactical purchasing and strategic procurement.
• Comparison of tactical purchasing and strategic procurement.
• Organizational design: centralized vs. decentralized purchasing.
• Key roles within the procurement function.
• The 7 steps of the purchasing cycle.
• The financial impact of the procurement function.
• The procurement classification matrix.

Module 2: Developing Procurement Strategies and Managing Supplier Relationships

• Additional activities of strategic procurement compared to traditional procurement.
• The 5 steps of the procurement process and their strategic activities.
• Cost avoidance analysis.
• Distinction between different types of supplier relationships.
• Definition and benefits of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM).
• The “Make or Buy” decision.
• Spend analysis and related documents.
• Supplier evaluation and selection.
• Pricing and discount strategies.
• Negotiation objectives and collaborative design with suppliers.

Module 3: Managing Purchase Orders and Measuring Performance

• The 5 steps of the purchase order flow.
• The 2 steps of the purchasing cycle not included in the purchase order flow.
• Comparison of static vs. dynamic database files.
• Calculation of MRP (Material Requirements Planning) using inventory data.
• Definition of the VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory) process.
• The purchase order flow step not included in the procure-to-pay cycle.
• The 5 components of an SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) system.
• Procurement process methods and purchasing timing.
• Transportation mode decision.
• Measuring procurement performance and global sourcing.
• The effect of technology and the Internet on procurement.

Module 4: Negotiating and Managing Contracts

• Definition of contracts and phases of contract management.
• Contract performance and the role of ERP and SRM systems in contract management.
• Dispute resolution.
• Objects and objectives of negotiation.
• The role of agreements in negotiations.
• Value and risk in negotiations.
• Price, terms, and conditions (specific, generic, and legal clauses).
• Negotiation methods and tactics.
• The PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) framework in negotiations.

Module 5: Integrating Sustainable and Ethical Procurement

• Benefits of applying sustainable procurement principles and practices.
• The Triple Bottom Line.
• The 10 principles of the UN Global Compact.
• Methods to integrate sustainability in product design.
• Examples of supplier sustainability criteria (economic, social, and environmental actions).
• Elements of sustainable packaging.
• The importance of ethics for procurement professionals.
• The use of diversity in ethical procurement.
• Principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
• Guidelines and standards influencing procurement.
• Applying sustainability to procurement activities and supplier management.
• General ethical considerations and conflict minerals.
• The code of conduct and legislation related to procurement practices.
• Advantages and steps to ensure ethical behavior and procurement.

Module 6: Using Metrics and Smart Supply Chain Management

• The importance of metrics in procurement.
• Developing procurement metrics for purchasing and suppliers.
• Use of benchmarking and its benefits.
• Elements of balanced scorecards.
• Identifying sustainability measurement criteria.
• Developing a supplier scorecard system.
• Description of blockchain technology use.
• Understanding different types of advanced analytics.
• Types of artificial intelligence.
• Implementing a procurement metrics program and associated challenges.
• Procurement KPIs, SCOR, and ASCM Enterprise.
• Internal metrics for procurement, sustainability, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
• Supplier and supply chain metrics.
• The role of information in smart supply chain management (cloud computing, big data, control towers, and AI).
• Inter-organizational systems and the Internet of Things (IoT).
• Supply chain event management.
• Intelligent collaboration and interaction with suppliers.
• Logistics in smart supply chain management and other technologies.

Module 7: Preparing for the Exam

• In-depth review of key concepts covered in all modules.
• Additional resources for the APICS Supply Chain Procurement Certificate exam.
• Strategies and tips to maximize your chances of passing the exam.