CPSP - Certified Professional in Sourcing and Procurement

This course includes the ISCEA Certified Professional in Sourcing and Procurement (CPSP) Exam. Upon successfully completing the exam course, you will earn an edX course completion certificate and the ISCEA Certified Professional in Sourcing and Procurement Certification. A passing rate of 70% on the CPSP Exam indicates successful completion.

Before taking this exam, you must complete the three preparatory courses listed in the Certified Professional in Sourcing and Procurement (CPSP) program: CPSP01, CPSP02, and CPSP03. This program will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in the CPSP Exam. Learners are not permitted to take the CPSP Exam course without completing all three preparatory courses.

Do you want to boost your career with an internationally recognized supply chain certificate demonstrating you have what it takes to land a high-paying job? Then, you want to sign up for this fully online exam and become an ISCEA Certified Professional in Sourcing and Procurement - CPSP!

ISCEA, the International Supply Chain Education Alliance, was the first organization on the globe to certify supply chain managers, and it remains the worldwide authoritative resource for Supply Chain career validation, with thousands of certificate holders commanding top-tier salaries.

This course comprehensively introduces the principles, organizational frameworks, and strategic approaches essential to effective procurement in today’s global business environment. Designed for professionals seeking to enhance their procurement and sourcing capabilities, the course explores how procurement functions contribute to sustainable competitive advantage and long-term value creation.

Learners will begin by examining the strategic roles of sourcing and procurement, including core terminology, key process cycles such as Source-to-Contract and Procure-to-Pay, and the evolution of procurement from a tactical function to a strategic business driver. The course then delves into organizational aspects, offering insights into procurement structures, authority and control, cross-functional collaboration, and how procurement can be integrated with broader corporate strategy.

Through focused exploration of strategic sourcing, participants will gain practical knowledge of supplier segmentation, risk analysis, sourcing tools, and best practices for managing both strategic and bottleneck items. The course also introduces the Strategic Sourcing Gemstone and criteria for reverse auctions.

Category management is another core focus, with learners developing strategies tailored to different procurement categories such as capital equipment, production materials, and services. Topics such as vendor-managed inventory, blanket orders, and prioritization techniques are also addressed.

Finally, the course covers the fundamentals of spend management, including spend analysis, tail spend, taxonomy definition, and procurement activities that drive performance improvement. By the end of the course, learners will be equipped with the foundational knowledge needed to lead procurement initiatives that deliver measurable results across global supply chains.

This course provides professionals with the tools and insights to effectively manage suppliers and navigate an increasingly complex global sourcing environment. From identifying high-value suppliers to mitigating supply chain disruptions, learners will gain a well-rounded understanding of supplier management’s strategic importance.

Participants will begin with supplier segmentation techniques, including Pareto analysis and relationship-based strategies tailored to different performance and risk profiles. The course then explores supplier selection, introducing evaluation funnels, approval criteria, and total cost of ownership frameworks to guide informed sourcing decisions.

Negotiation strategies are a key focus, covering value-creating tactics, contract types, and tools like the Zone of Mutual Agreement (ZoMA). Learners will understand how to negotiate outcomes that benefit both parties and support long-term success.

The course also emphasizes the value of relationship management, introducing various models such as “bow-tie,” “cotton-reel,” and “diamond team” structures. These frameworks help learners foster collaboration, trust, and strategic alignment with suppliers.

Supplier performance measurement is addressed through scorecards, metrics, and certification processes that drive continuous improvement. Supplier development strategies, including training and vendor consolidation, are explored to build long-term capability and innovation.

Finally, learners will develop a deep understanding of supply chain risk management—from identifying and mapping risks to deploying mitigation and crisis response strategies. The course equips professionals to anticipate disruptions and protect business continuity in global supply chains.