Procurement & Purchasing Management

A career in purchasing can be fun and rewarding if you have the right skill set to succeed on the job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of available jobs in 2020 is 513,400. The median annual wage for buyers and purchasing agents was $63,470, and the median annual salary for purchasing managers was $127,150 in May 2021.

Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or to resell. But the job isn't as simple as just shopping. These professionals must consider many factors when purchasing such as budget, price, availability, demand, logistics, reliability of suppliers, and technical support. Purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and purchasing agents. In addition, they must be able to accurately report on activity and forecast future events.

The Procurement & Purchasing Management course will introduce you to the basics of the supply chain process, management, purchasing, and contracting issues to provide you with the skills you need for a successful career. It is designed for anyone working in or interested in working in purchasing, logistics, or procurement.

What you will learn

• How to prepare and manage a budget in an organization
• How to manage the supplier selecting process
• How to manage the contracting process
• How to evaluate price and costs
• Effective negotiation and communication techniques

How you will benefit

• Gain practical skills and knowledge you need to enter a purchasing organization.
• Prove to employers that you have mastered the skills to work in purchasing.
• Gain confidence in your ability to speak the languages of purchasers and negotiate deals.

1. Purchasing Management
   1. Essentials of Purchasing
   2. Budgeting Essentials
   3. The Procurement Process
   4. Supplier Contracting
   5. Price and Cost Analysis
   6. Management Essentials
   7. Negotiation Strategies
   8. Persuasive Communication
   9. Legal Aspects of Contracts
2. Essentials of Purchasing
   1. Purchasing function in the organization
   2. Interdependencies the purchasing function has within the organization
   3. The impact the purchasing function has on the financial statements
   4. Organization and administration aspects of purchasing
   5. Global sourcing in purchasing
   6. Regulatory agencies
3. Budgeting Essentials
   1. Concept of budgeting
   2. Activity-based budgeting
   3. Factors that impact budgeting
   4. Production Planning
   5. How inventory impacts the budgeting process
4. Procurement Process
   1. Elements of supplier selection process
   2. The supplier evaluation process
   3. The bidding process
   4. The procurement process
5. Supplier Contracting
   1. General Contract Principles
   2. Contract drafting
   3. Types of contracts used in purchasing
   4. Agency law determines who has the authority act on behalf of the organization
6. Price and Cost Analysis
   1. Price evaluation
   2. Use of data
   3. Strategic cost analysis
   4. Timing and Outsourcing
7. Management Essentials
   1. The culture of an organization
   2. Organizational change and resistance to change
   3. Power and influence leaders use
   4. Leadership theories
   5. Strategies and Strategic thinking
   6. Decision-Making
   7. Managing quality with "best practices"
   8. Human Resource procedures and policies
   9. Financial accountability
8. Negotiation Strategies
   1. Steps in Negotiating
   2. Tools used in the negotiation process
   3. Types of negotiations
   4. Personality types in negotiations
   5. Preparing for negotiations
   6. Determining your BATNA in negotiations
9. Persuasive Communication
   1. Fundamentals of communication
   2. The importance of knowing the audience in persuasive communication
   3. The power of listening
   4. Credibility of the speaker is key in persuasion
   5. Evidence in persuasion
   6. Emotion in persuasion
   7. Organizing the argument
   8. Defining of strategic management in operations
   9. Mindset of strategic thinking
   10. Strategic planning models
   11. Questions to ask when creating strategic alternatives
   12. Criteria for implementation
10. Legal Aspects of Contracts
    1. Introduction
    2. What is a Contract?
    3. Elements of a Contract
    4. Duties and Obligations
    5. What is the Deal?
    6. Legal Representation
    7. Good Faith and Conclusion
11. Procurement Technology
    1. E-Procurement Systems
    2. Technology Infrastructure
    3. Supplier Relationship Management
    4. Artificial Intelligence
    5. Blockchain

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 7 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Office or equivalent (not included in enrollment).
• Adobe Acrobat Reader .
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• The Essential Manager's Handbook

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Prerequisites:

There are no specific prerequisites for this course.

Katherine Squires Pang

Katherine Squires Pang, J.D., LL.M., M.Ed has practiced law with since 1983. She has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School of Management at the University of Texas, Dallas, and has been an adjunct faculty member of many universities, including New York University and the University of California, Irvine. She received her B.A. in 1980 from Clark University, her J.D. from the University of Dayton Law School in 1982, her LL.M in Taxation from Georgetown University Law School in 1983, and her M.Ed from the University of Texas in 2001.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

No.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available by phone. You can also call us at 1-855-532-7642 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.