Purchasing Organizations Education and Training

Getting the training/education you need for your purchasing group or department

Whether you're new to purchasing or you've been at it for several years, purchasing organizations education and training programs will ensure your success for years to come. Group purchasing organizations and purchasing departments within small businesses perform many tasks every day that require skills and knowledge related to vendors, products, negotiation, contracts, budgeting, contractor grievances, preparing bids, social/political/economic conditions and trends that can affect employers and so much more.

With so much responsibility and the potential for great losses with just a single mistake, ensure you and your purchasing employees receive all the education and training necessary to keep your business humming. Consider these sources of education/training for purchasing organizations and departments:

1. A purchasing association or related trade organization that provides training and education.

2. Companies focused on helping purchasing organizations and departments.

3. Online university programs offering certificates for purchasing organizations and professionals.

 

Start your education/training search with purchasing associations

Purchasing trade organizations offer tremendous membership benefits that include lots of training and educational opportunities. Purchasing associations, purchasing councils and purchasing-related professional organizations provide certificate programs, seminars and other educational forums/resources to further the careers of purchasing professionals.
Try: If you haven't already, join the American Purchasing Society to take advantage of reduced prices for certification courses. Through the society, you can work towards earning the title of Certified Purchasing Professional and Certified Professional Purchasing Manager. You'll find all its classes and seminars offered online so you can work on your professional development on your own schedule. Visit the American Management Association (AMA) to satisfy your current educational needs. The AMA lets you attend purchasing and supply management seminars nationwide or via recorded webcasts and podcasts for your convenience. While at the website, click on the Blended Learning link to find out more about the AMA's e-Learning Solutions. If you work in the realm of public purchasing, find certification opportunities through a purchasing council like the Mid-America Council of Public Purchasing. Through the council, purchasing professionals can apply for Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) or Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB).

Consider companies dedicated to reaching out to purchasing groups and purchasing professionals

Look for consulting/management companies that specialize in providing beneficial training and education programs for you and your employees.
Try: Next Level Purchasing, an official Educational Partner of the National Contract Management Association, has trained purchasing professionals since 2000. In addition to its online purchasing certification program, the company also offers group purchasing training sessions at a discount for purchasing groups with at least four people. The Purchasing Group offers purchasing management, consulting and training services. Its training programs include the Essentials Series, Advanced Series and Condensed Series, and you can attend the programs in one of their training facilities or at your own workplace. Additionally, it conducts workshops and in-depth programs on specific subjects.

Find certificate programs for buying groups and professionals through online universities

Whether you operate a group purchasing organization or run a purchasing department, you'll find value and convenience in an online purchasing certificate program offered through a university.
Try: The Institute for Supply Management website offers a listing of colleges and universities that have degree plans in purchasing, supply management and logistics.Saint Joseph's University Professional online Purchase Management Certificate will boost your efficiency, confidence and success. The program covers purchasing and supply chain management fundamentals, administration and Certified Purchasing Manager exam preparation. Pursue the Online Certificate in Purchasing from California State University, and earn three units of Bachelor degree credit for each course. Courses begin in January, April and September, and topics include cost-price analysis, negotiation, legal/regulatory considerations, ethical issues, partnering and more.

 

• While you'll rarely come across an online purchasing degree program, those who work in purchasing organizations or departments can gain just as much benefit from an online MBA program. Additionally, look for financial management training programs if you already possess a degree related to your industry, like IT or human resources.

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