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The Benefits of CPIM Certifications

Posted by [email protected] on Oct. 15, 2020  /  Subscribe 0

The constantly evolving world of Supply Chain management and operations requires a level of training and education that can keep up with everything as it evolves. That training and education can only be found through Certification in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM). The true benefits of CPIM certification are the value they bring to a professional resume in terms of employment opportunities. During times of changing international protocols, supply routes, vendors, and other considerations, CPIM certification is more valuable than ever.

A Long History of APICS CPIM Certifications

There are several different certification areas and levels available for a supply chain professional to investigate. The APICS CPIM program has evolved over the last six decades from a supply chain and inventory management educational and training curriculum into a global resource for much more. Supply chain professionals around the world know and trust APICS certification as well as the knowledge and skills APICS certified professionals provide. In 2018, APICS, originally known as the American Production and Inventory Control Society, became part of the Association of Supply Chain Management or ASCM. This created a truly international training, education, certification, and collaborative organization that revolves around supply chain, production, inventory, transportation, information systems, and a dozen other disciplines. By integrating the various components involved in manufacturing on a global scale, APICS CPIM has become the international standard.

CPIM Breakdown

The various areas of training and education within CPIM certification deserve a deeper dive:

• Production and Inventory Management - Tracking materials, both incoming and outgoing, is key to maintaining a smooth-running manufacturing plant. Keeping what's needed available is a critical function that demands the latest systems, data, and protocols.
• Operations - Budgeting, human resources, training programs, and a plethora of other important daily processes and functions is what keeps everyone employed and productive every day. Training in operations management offers a broad background in important business functions and activities.
• Supply Chain Management - Some professionals equate supply chain management with herding cats. It's a constantly-changing, problem-solving environment that has responsibility for acquiring production materials to keep the production floor busy.
• Procurement - The need for raw materials demands diligent oversight of suppliers as well as the systems that bring materials into the factory. In a global market, the need to identify, maintain, and manage relationships with key vendors has never been more important.
• Materials Management - The ability to meet engineering and manufacturing standards is vital to any production environment. Inventory management is much more than putting parts and pieces on the shelf waiting to go into production. Maintaining quality control protocols throughout the acquisition, production, and delivery process is always the number one priority for materials managers.
• Forecasting and Planning - If you have a crystal ball that tells the future, this is the position for you. The ability to understand production demands, transportation requirements, regulatory considerations and several other factors are part and parcel for determining what to acquire when to acquire it, and how to fit it into the puzzle known as production schedule.
• Finance and Cost Accounting - What to pay, what actual costs are, and how to manage the funds and capital to keep a manufacturing plant in operation isn't like running the family budget. Attention to capital, purchasing cycles, inventory control protocols, and dozens of other cost-related issues falls to professionals who can track the money through every step.
• Manufacturing Information Systems - This would probably be considered the "heart" of Supply Chain management today. Without computers, the internet, and all the amazing applications available to a supply chain professional today have advanced the universe of supply, inventory, production, and delivery systems to a whole new level. Nothing stays the same in the computer world and keeping up with the changes enhances the value of every IT and MIS pro.

Pros Know the Value of APICS CPIM Certification

Education always costs money. The real question is whether the educational certificate is going to generate more income and opportunity for a professional. The training and education provided by the educators at ASCM is only the beginning of the return on the investment. Ongoing educational courses, association with other professionals, seminars on the latest developments, and many more benefits await certified professionals. Around the world, over 45,000 Supply Chain Management leaders take advantage of the training, tools, and support ASCM offers every day. Not only do they receive better compensation from employers, but they also enjoy a higher level of respect among their peers and associates. All of it contributes toward the value created by being an APICS CPIM certified professional.

THE ROAD MAP TO A CAREER IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Supply chain technology is advancing every day, opening up more career opportunities than ever before. Are you ready? Get started by receiving your APICS CERTIFICATION that will show employers what you’re capable of. 

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