Certified International Supply Chain Manager – CISCM

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_heading title=”Contact Admission Office” type=”h5″ style=”default” text_transform=”uppercase” align=”left” margin_bottom=”20″][vc_contact_form fields=”name,email,telephone,message” message_height=”6″ required=”name,email,telephone” show_icons=”yes” success_message=”Success! Your Message has been Sent” error_message=”Error! An Error Occured While Sending your Message” button_title=”Make Enquiry” button_size=”default”][vc_gap height=”40″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Certified International Supply Chain Professional (CISCP)
Certified International Supply Chain Manager (CISCM)

Introduction
This Certification Program is a core certification program of the International Purchasing And Supply Chain Management Institute. This program offers the designation of CISCP (Certified International Supply Chain Professional, Entry Level) and CISCM (Certified International Supply Chain Manager, Advanced Level) to candidates who demonstrate their understanding of the fundamentals of the profession through the successful completion of rigorous professional certification examinations based upon the INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT BODY OF KNOWLEDGE (ISCMBOK). The ISCMBOK is supported by distinct modules of study material for the CISCP and CISCM. The CISCM has seven modules.

This certification program will test for an understanding of contemporary international logistics and supply chain management. The increasing integration of all functions of the firm requires that logistics and supply chain professionals must be aware of the impact that logistical decision-making has on other elements of the firm’s strategic goals and objectives. In addition, the current logistics and supply chain professional must have an awareness of the changes in and increased use of technology, emphasis on strategic planning, and supply chain integration as a competitive imperative.

Certification Applicants benefiting from this program include the following: 1) Students: Mainly junior students and undergraduates. 2) New purchasing, logistics, and supply chain management beginners: 3) People who are contemplating a career in the purchasing field, logistics, or supply chain management profession(s).

Candidates have an understanding of the basic elements of the logistics function. This includes the areas pertaining to the delivery of customer value, including the management of transportation, inventory flows, purchasing (both domestic and international), supply management, and warehouse management. The candidate must also have a firm grasp on the impact of decisions that have been made regarding each of these functions, on the total cost and operating effectiveness of the whole logistics system.
Candidates must be able to view a broader perspective of the importance of network design, the financial impact of logistical decision making, and the relationship development and management needed for effective 3rd party logistics partnerships.

The use of technology and information systems to provide the basis for firm- and supply chain-wide integration and cooperation is necessary for successful operations. The candidate must be aware of the implications for improving logistical operations, intra, and inter-firm coordination, and increasing customer value afforded by the use of appropriately designed and integrated information systems.

The relationship of firm-level logistics with the broader perspective of the supply chain must be understood. It is important that the candidate have a broader perspective than that of the firm. This requires an understanding of the impact that firm-level logistics management decisions have on the operating efficiency of the supply chain itself.

Candidates must profess knowledge and manifest skills and abilities in design and management of the firm’s inbound (materials management) and outbound (distribution) flow of physical goods and related information. Often studied and managed as two distinct components, the trend is now to take advantage of trade-offs and other economies that are available in the individual legs of materials management and distribution. True efficiencies and corporate strategic advantages are not gained until both are fully integrated into one single logistics system.

Candidates will need to profess knowledge, skill, and ability in logistics and supply chain management and planning tasks in depth, and profess an integrative perspective on logistics and supply chain. Since the field continues to evolve through organizational change, adoption of greater responsibilities, and application of new concepts, the candidate should generally be prepared for many questions which call for the development of proposals and supporting arguments dealing with such changes. A truly effective logistics or supply chain professional not only knows what changes need to be implemented, but also is persuasive in gaining top management approval of such changes.

Candidates must have an understanding of transportation economics, which is fundamental to sound transportation management decision-making by both users and providers. They must possess knowledge, skill, and ability in three primary areas of emphasis: (1) application of demand, cost, and pricing principles to transportation; (2) the operating, service and financial characteristics of the various modes and types of transportation; and (3) managerial issues in transportation.

Candidates must know the economic role of transportation in society; demand for transportation; costing and pricing in transportation; rate making in practice; transportation regulation; carrier operations and terminals; transportation quality, value, and customer satisfaction; private transportation; future directions of transportation; and selected contemporary issues in carrier management.

Because this is an international certification, candidates must profess a familiarity with the logistics and supply chain processes required in moving goods and people across international boundaries, the transportation modes used in such movement, and current logistics issues in the global environment. The objective will be accomplished through systematic study of components of international logistics systems, including: the ocean shipping industry, international air transportation, seaports and airports, other participants in international logistics, laws and regulations, situational factors, and policy issues.

Candidates will need to profess knowledge, skill, and ability in the processes and professional players required in the importing and exporting of goods, and with current problems and issues in international transportation and logistics.

Focus will be from the perspective of importing into and exporting from the United States, but much of the material can be generalized to other countries.

Class Schedule
The training session is generally taught in Modules (1 to 3 days per Module). The purpose of the program is to introduce the student to the concepts of international transportation and logistics as they apply to international supply chain management. This incorporates an understanding of the principles of business logistics, supply chain management, and international governmental issues required to source materials or place product at the right location, at the right time, for the right price.

Candidates in this certification program are expected to be highly motivated, disciplined, self-starters.

The unique delivery modality allows this program to be offered on-site at any company or governmental agency that wishes to bring the program directly to its employees. In addition, the program can be given online, using Blackboard or another online learning courseware. These delivery modes can increase student and company convenience by reducing travel time, missed work hours and incidental costs that normally accrue to students.

Examinations
Completion of the certification program requires completion of a multiple choice examination. The examination is prepared by a Board of Examiners consisting of a range of Certified, Sustaining, and Educator Members within the three above Institutes/Societies.

The examination locations are determined by the individual candidates and their proctors. A proctor may be an individual who is currently an active Certified Member, or a manager, supervisor, teacher, professor, or anyone of such standing. Each proctor is determined on a case-by-case basis. IPSCMI wishes to make it possible for every qualified candidate to complete the certification program in a convenient and timely manner.

Professional Designations
Successful candidates are granted the designation of CISCP or CISCM. The designation CISCP and/or CISCM may be used just as similar recognitions are employed in accounting, insurance, medicine, law, and other professions. Either the full expression or the initials may be used after the individual’s name on business cards, stationery, etc.

Time Limitation
The Board of Examiners realizes that many applicants are employed on a full-time basis and, as such, are limited in the amount of time available to prepare for the examinations. Without some guiding time requirement, however, candidates tend to lose the concept of the examination program and the material covered. Therefore, the Board of Examiners has established a five year maximum time limit for acceptance of completed requirements for each of the three levels. The five year time period begins after the successful completion of the first examination. The time limitation may not be waived without the approval of the Board of Examiners.

Modules
The Certified International Supply Chain Professional (CISCP) covers definitions and basic supply chain management terminology. It explores the functions of supply chain management and logistics, supply chain decisions, supply chain designs, global supply chains and virtual supply chains. Also covered are the relationship between supply chain/logistics strategy and the structure of the organization; and the influence of organizational structure on performance. The CISCP certification program consists of 10 subjects as below:

Subject 1 Introduction and overview of logistics and supply chain management
Subject 2 Basics of Forecasting Techniques
Subject 3 Production Planning and control
Subject 4 Production Scheduling
Subject 5 Material Requirements Planning (MRP) ,Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRPII), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Subject 6 Inventory Management
Subject 7 Basics of Transportation and Multi-Modal systems
Subject 8 Basics of Purchasing Management and Administration
Subject 9 Physical Distribution Management
Subject 10 Quality and Supply Chain Management

The Certified International Supply Chain Professional (CISCM) certification program consists of seven modules and an 80 question multiple choice examination prepared from the INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT BODY OF KNOWLEGE.

Candidates may complete the modules in any order. However, the suggested sequence is spelled out below.

Modules for Certification
Module 1 Introduction to Logistics and Supply Chain Management
The module covers definitions and basic terminology, including supply chain, supply chain management, distribution channel, demand management, distribution management, and logistics management. It explores the functions of supply chain management and logistics, motivations for supply chain management, logistics concerns, goals of logistics, the logistics “Bill of Rights”, the marketing-logistics relationship, supply chain decisions, supply chain designs, global supply chains and virtual supply chains, support for international carriers, international trade agreements, components of logistics management, logistics in the modern environment, functions associated with supply chain management, the components of logistics, functions of traffic management, major advantages of the various transportation modes, the controllable elements of a logistics system, major categories of service complaints as they relate to logistics, and cost trade-offs in logistics. Also covered are the relationship between supply chain/logistics strategy and the structure of the organization; the influence of organizational structure on logistics performance; and the changing appearance of logistics and supply chain organizations within the firm.

Module 2 Relationship Between Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
The Module covers three major areas. The first topic covers a comparison of the types of transportation for domestic and international shipments, how to make routing decisions based on the goals of the firm, the different terms of sale/purchase and which best protects the firm versus which is commonly used, and the consequences that are associated with each type of logistics decision in terms of cost effectiveness and ability to meet demand, (focusing on the cost of logistics). The second topic covers purchasing management, primarily from a domestic (generic) perspective. Purchasing is described as a subset of Logistics/Supply Chain Management and Materials Management. The four procurement (preaward) processes and the two contract administration (postaward) processes are discussed and explained in detail (Procurement planning: determining what to procure and when, Solicitation planning: documenting product requirements and identifying potential sources, Solicitation: obtaining quotations, bids, offers, or proposals as appropriate, Source selection: choosing from among potential suppliers, Contract administration: managing the relationship with the supplier, and Contract close-out: completion and settlement of the contract). Methods of procurement and contract types are addressed in summary detail. The third topic covers the special characteristics of international purchasing, focusing on those issues which make international purchasing different from domestic purchasing. International contract law, INCOTERMS, documentation, and payments are all addressed.

Module 3 The Domestic and International Transportation Systems
The Module provides an appreciation of the macroeconomic and microeconomic roles of transportation; the characteristics of various transportation modes; and understanding of the economics of movement; and covers the changing environment in which transportation operates in the U.S. It also covers transportation’s critical role in supply chain operations; how the transportation system is analyzed; an explanation of how transportation operations are managed; and how information coordinates the flow of materials and goods. The Module also provides an understanding of the escalating importance of international logistics as crucial tools for competitiveness; explains the difference between materials management and physical distribution; provides an understanding of why international logistics is more complex than domestic logistics; how the transportation infrastructure in host countries often dictates the options open to the international manager; and why inventory management is crucial for international success. It also covers globalization and business competitiveness; transportation requirements of competitive firms; transportation sector response to competitiveness; information requirements; and data needs (counting the emerging freight sector). Extensive treatment is given to International Commercial Terms (Incoterms).

Module 4 Production Planning and Scheduling
This Module covers the overall approach to producing goods and services and explains the various production-related decisions, including that of capital intensity, process flexibility, vertical integration, and customer involvement. The different production methodologies, including project, mass, batch, and continuous, are covered in detail. Production planning and control methodologies are discussed in detail. Material requirements planning (MRP), manufacturing resource planning (MRPII) and just-in-time (JIT) systems are discussed in the context of materials planning. Production scheduling is discussed in detail, to the specifics of when labor, equipment, and facilities are needed to produce a product or provide a service. Coverage will also be given to a discussion of disposal as a growth industry that provides many marketing opportunities, and recognition will be given to an understanding that product disposition is an increasingly important area for public policy. The Module will discuss some of the practical implications that disposition has for managers, explain the differences between voluntary and involuntary disposition, describe the social, individual and situational factors that affect disposition choices, and provide an understanding of how disposition provides key insights into consumption behavior. Also covered are an understanding of the location problem; the problems related to site selection; the characteristics of a median location; single facility considerations, including center of gravity, exact location, and use of the minimax rule; multiple facility considerations, including location allocation and economies of scale, selection of dynamic locations, and the production-inventory-transportation relationship. Finally, a discussion of “Green Logistics” will explain why and how waste can be minimized in order to minimize the problem of “Reverse Logistics”.

Module 5 Inventory Management and Warehousing
The Module covers inventory management in detail. Specifics include the fundamental purpose of maintaining inventory; an understanding of the benefits and costs of inventory; an examination of the tradeoffs present among inventory, customer service and other functional costs in logistics; and the rationing methods and inventory performance measurement. Special attention is given to an understanding of the importance of coordinated flows of inventory through supply chains; the impact of effective inventory management upon the return on assets (ROA) for a company; the role and importance of inventory in the economy and why inventory levels have declined relative to Gross Domestic Product (GDP); an awareness of inventory management techniques; practical insight toward common management tools; and practice with the application of inventory management decision tools. Attention is given to understanding how demand influences replenishment model selection; the strategic, operational and performance differences between PUSH and PULL inventory systems; and awareness of the shift from PUSH to PULL systems and reasons for the shift.
Warehousing is discussed in detail. Specifics include the modern purpose and function of warehouses; warehouse activities; warehouse strategies; and changes in the operational scope and capabilities of warehouses; fundamental warehouse decisions; warehouse and materials handling operations; and the functionality and requirements of product packaging.

Module 6 Physical Distribution Management
This Module is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the operational, financial and managerial aspects of the physical distribution of industrial goods.

Components of Physical Distribution Management include:
1. Order processing;
2. Stock levels or inventory;
3. Warehousing;
4. Transportation.
5. Marketing Channels (distribution intermediaries)
The Module covers the critical importance of outbound-to-customer logistics and supply chain management systems and the components of those systems. It requires students to appreciate the growing need for effective demand management as part of a firm’s overall logistics and supply chain expertise; know the types of forecasts that may be needed, and understand how collaboration among trading partners will help the overall forecasting and demand management process; identify the key steps in the order-fulfillment process, and understand how effective order management can create value for a firm and its customers; realize the meaning of customer service, and understand its importance to logistics and supply chain management; understand the difference between logistics and marketing channels, and understand that goods may reach their intended customer via a number of alternative channels of distribution; and understand how to develop and manage marketing channels. Inventory, Warehousing, and Transportation are covered in previous modules (5, 5, and 3, respectively).

Module 7 Logistics Structure and Productivity, Quality Management, Statistical Process (Quality) Control, E-Commerce (E-Logistics) and Third Party Logistics
The Module covers the relationship between supply chain/logistics strategy and the structure of the organization; the influence of organizational structure on supply chain/logistics performance; and the changing appearance of logistics and supply chain organizations within the firm. Special attention is given to methods of increasing the productivity of supply chain management and logistics, including E-commerce/E-Logistics, the techniques needed to improve the efficiency of inventory investment; the reconciliation of logistics needs with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems; the exploitation of cost and service opportunities provided by third-party logistics services; the exploitation of opportunities in integrated package design; support programs that will reduce the driver shortage; the reformation of public policy to improve productivity; and focus of transportation policy on competition instead of protection. Attention is given to reduction of trucking costs with safe, longer, and heavier highway vehicles; maritime reform; avoidance of railroad deregulation; and reform of the Jones Act to improve global competitiveness. Quality Management is discussed in detail, including the techniques of Statistical Process Control and Total Quality Management.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]