Supply Chain Procurement Certificate – Fundamentals of Purchasing and Procurement

Course Description 

The Supply Chain Procurement Certificate program is a foundational education program designed to help both entry-level and experienced supply chain professionals expand their procurement knowledge and skills.  The program provides an overview of procurement fundamentals, sourcing strategies, supplier relationship management, negotiations, evaluation metrics, and more.

5 weeks, 20 hours  On-line through Antelope Valley College, Extended Learning, Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 28th to May 26, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. (Pacific Time)- led by APICS recognized instructors The instructor for this course is Bob Ratcliffe.  Click here for the instructor's bio

Audience

This course will be of interest to anyone in your organization who is in any way involved with the procurement function, directly or indirectly. This includes purchasing, quality engineering, materials management, marketing and finance employees who wish to further their formal knowledge in procurement and obtain a signed certificate and digital badge from the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM).  It is also intended for anyone who is considering a new career in procurement or someone who has experience in the field and is looking to expand their career options and stand out in a competitive job market.

It may also be of interest to anyone who wishes take the first step in furthering their Supply Chain Management knowledge and professional development by attaining an ACSM CPIM, CSCP and/or CLTD certification. ASCM certifications are generally recognized as the gold standard in Supply Chain Management education. 

Professional development is highly valued by employers. Professionals with APICS certification enjoy a 20% median salary increase,
underscoring the tangible value of these industry-recognized credentials.  [2025 ASCM Supply Chain Salary and Career Report]

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites to this course, but some experience with purchasing or procurement at any level in the organization will be beneficial.

Topics and Course Content

• Fundamentals of Purchasing and Procurement
• Sourcing Strategies
• Purchase Order Management and Performance Measurement
• Contract Management and Negotiations
• Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
• Procurement Evaluation Metrics and Intelligent Supply Chains

Learning Goals and Results

After completing the program, the participant will have the knowledge to:

• Develop a strategic sourcing strategy
• Establish effective procurement policies
• Effectively score supplier capabilities and select optimal suppliers
• Engage in more effective contract management negotiations
• Trace the purchase order flow from requirements identification to purchase order close-out
• Review supplier and internal procurement organization performance using data and metrics
• Engage in sustainable and ethical sourcing

Registration: 

Questions on course content:  email [email protected]

Click here for APICS classes offered by AVC and to register and see costs of the class. Class registration is handled by our partner college. Registration contact: Debbie Lindsey (661) 722-6521 or [email protected]