APICS ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR BUYERS

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Description

This course addresses the basic functions performed by buyers and purchasing employees. It defines Purchasing department’s relationship with the rest of the organization and its impact on other business functions. In this course students will be exposed to best practice purchasing and sourcing strategies. All terms and concepts taught in this course are based on the APICS Body of knowledge.

Audience

The course is ideal for new and intermediate level Buyers, Buyer/Planners, Sourcing Specialists, Source Inspectors, Accounts Payable Clerks, and other employees directly associated with purchasing who want to hone their job skills and gain practical knowledge in
the field of Procurement.

Prerequisites

None. It is strongly recommended that students have a basic knowledge or some experience with purchasing activities.

Topics and Course Content

Fundamentals of Purchasing (PIM-8)

  • Purchasing Function, Categories, and Responsibilities
  • Purchasing’s Role and Interface with Other Business Functions
  • Buyer/planner Concept/rol
  • Financial Impact of Purchasing
  • Negotiation Techniques
  • Legal Aspects of Purchasing, Terms & Conditions

Sourcing Strategies (PIM-9)

  • Strategic vs. Tactical Sourcing Strategy
  • Single vs Multiple Sourcing Strategy
  • Make or Buy (Outsourcing)
  • Spend Analysis and Cost Avoidance
  • Sustainability and Risk Managemen
  • Material Planning MRP (PMM-4 & 5)
  • MRP Mechanics and Logic
  • MRP Inputs and Outputs
  • Working with MRP Action Messages
  • Re-Planning

Purchase Order Management and Performance Measurement (PIM-10)

  • Purchasing Data Management
  • Sources of Demand (MRP, ROP, Kanban, VMI)
  • Contract Management
  • Purchasing/Supplier Performance Measurement
  • Problem-Solving and Quality Issues
  • Supplier Relationship Management

Logistics, Transportation, Distribution (PDL-2)

  • Packaging and Merial Handling
  • Fundamentals of Distribution and Logistics
  • Reverse Logistics

Learning Goals and Results

At the conclusion of the course, the participants will be able to:

  • Utilize learned basic terms, concepts, systems, and best practices used by purchasing professionals.
  • Apply learned material in performing their current job and/or be prepared for a next level job opportunity.
  • Use terminology and concepts learned in this course in preparing for the APICS Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) Certification exams.

Time Investment

This class is 32 hours of classroom (or virtual platform) time taken in 2-hour sessions, twice a week, over a period of 8 weeks

Employee Application Employer Application