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With eight certification tracks, you can select one (or more) that matches your career goals. The goal of these tracks is to prepare participants to successfully pass the certification examination based on the corresponding content. Content was developed by the LINCS in Supply Chain Management Consortium. Credentials are awarded by the Council of
Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).

In a classroom or through independent learning, you can select one or more of the following certification tracks:

Supply Chain Management Principles

Supply chain management is one of the fastest growing fields today. It is also expansive, as there are many functions and roles within it. This certification track is intended to educate students in the basics of the supply chain and the supply chain’s roles within organizations.

Key elements of this track include the definition of supply chain and the various flows within supply chain (i.e., customer service, manufacturing and service operations, order management, procurement and supply management, demand planning, inventory management, warehousing operations, and transportation operations). It also includes an explanation of how the supply chain supports organizations’ strategic and financial goals.

Customer Service Operations

Customer service agents, order management associates, and associates in other supply chain domains should understand the importance and extent of customer service and order management processes, techniques, and terminology that support order fulfillment and management. This track provides students with an understanding of the basics of customer service and order management, so they can be effective contributors in specific industry settings.

Key elements of this track include the elements of the order process, customer relationship
management, management of challenging customers, effective customer communications, returns
and reverse logistics, and performance metrics.

Transportation Operations

Transporting goods often requires multiple modes of transportation; the combination of modes can vary depending on cost, values, dimensions, weights, frequencies, time-definite delivery requirements, and other special requirements (e.g., hazardous or refrigerated cargoes). This certification track is intended to train students in the basics of transportation operations, so they can prepare for transportation related positions within supply chain management.

Key elements of this certification track include: modes of transportation, transportation technology, company roles and operations within the transportation field, the impact of transportation on the overall economy, sustainability in transportation, and how the field is evolving to meet future needs.

Warehousing Operations

Warehousing Operations encompasses the processes, procedures, tools, and equipment within a
warehouse facility as enablers for an efficient, effective, and comprehensive supply chain. Warehouses do not operate as stand-alone facilities but function to varying degrees with Inventory Management, Transportation Operations, Demand Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Customer Service functions.

The charter, mission, and goals developed by an organization will dictate the role of the supply chain to meet those objectives. This role will further define the requirements for warehousing operations ranging from a simple, single storage facility to a total distribution or fulfillment network.

This certification track is intended to train students in the basics of warehousing operations and to generate a broader awareness of the role of warehousing operations in distribution networks.

Key elements of this certification track include: an overview of warehousing, the role of warehousing in the supply chain, facility configuration, storage and handling techniques, performance metrics, customer service considerations, and safety concerns across various types of distribution facilities.

Demand Planning

The effective anticipation, planning, and management of demand are key factors in the success of any organization. Companies are increasingly looking to provide improved customer service levels at reduced costs; planning and managing demand are keys to success. It is important for supply chain professionals to understand demand planning and management. This certification track is intended to train students in the basics of demand planning and management so they can quickly familiarize themselves with, and become effective contributors in, the demand planning and management aspects of their roles in the domains of supply chain management.

Key elements of this certification track include: key aspects of demand planning, interaction between demand and order management, demand planning principles, demand planning tools and techniques, communication and management of demand, and contemporary approaches to demand planning and management.

Inventory Management

Inventory management is critical to the overall success of the supply chain. Therefore, it is important that all supply chain professionals have at least a basic understanding of the role, cost, and benefit of inventories. This track provides students with an understanding of the basics of inventory management and control, so they can be effective contributors to the inventory-related aspects of their roles in supply chain management domains.

Key elements of this track include: the importance and use of inventory in the supply chain,
introduction to the different types of inventory, techniques for effectively managing and controlling inventory levels, the relationship between forecasting and inventory management, and financial impacts of inventory investments.

Supply Management and Procurement

Procurement and purchasing associates, sourcing analysts, supplier managers, and associates in other supply chain domains should understand the importance and complexities of global supply management and procurement processes. This track provides students with an understanding of the basics of strategic sourcing, supplier management, and procurement execution processes so they can become effective contributors in specific industry settings.

Key elements of this track include: strategic, tactical and operational procurement; procurement organization structures; legal and regulatory considerations; the interaction of procurement organizations with the rest of the supply chain; and typical difficulties encountered in procurement processes.

Manufacturing and Service Operations

Operations departments focus on the conversion of materials to products and services. A major focus of operations is to ensure lean and efficient flow. This certification track introduces students to the basics of manufacturing and service operations, so they can quickly familiarize themselves with, and become effective contributors in, the operations, planning, and management aspects of their roles across the domains in supply chain management.

Key elements of this certification track include: the role of manufacturing and service operations, linking market requirements and the selection of manufacturing processes, facility location strategies, facility layouts, the importance of production planning and control in synchronizing operations, the importance of quality management and performance measurement, and the role of emerging technologies in operations.

Each track has its own certification examination. For those who earn all eight certifications, a Comprehensive Certificate is issued. Certifications can be studied in any combination and in any order.