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Instructor-Led Procurement Certificate Starting in September
The ASCM Wisconsin Chapter is offering an Instructor-Led Supply Chain Procurement Certificate for the first time this Fall 2025. All ASCM Certificates are available as self-study in the chapter’s online store. ASCM Certificates are a great way to try ASCM education at a lower cost with less time commitment than our APICS Certification Programs.
Class time over Zoom is 5 hours over 4 weeks. The online learning system is estimated to take 18 to 20 hours to complete. To earn the certificate, students must pass the test in the learning system. Retakes are unlimited, which means anyone who puts the work in can earn the Certificate.
The Procurement Certificate covers all the terminology needed to talk about the procurement field both tactically and strategically. The program covers the purchase order flow and steps in the purchasing process. Students also learn about negotiation, sourcing strategies, and contract terms and conditions.
Sustainability and ethical sourcing are covered, as well as procurement evaluation and metrics. This includes details on how to develop supplier scorecards that tie into organizational objectives.
Students completing the Supply Chain Certificate program will add more value to their organizations through understanding how their role contributes value and equipping them with the knowledge to do so.
Making Your Case for Training Support: A Smart Investment in Talent and Business Performance
There are many compelling reasons to pursue an APICS certification. Whether you're aiming for the Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD), or Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC) designation, each offers a unique opportunity to elevate your career and add value to your organization.
Once you’ve identified your certification or professional development goal, the next step is to engage your manager in the conversation. Gaining their support is crucial—not just for funding or time off to study, but to reinforce that this is a strategic move for both your personal growth and the company’s success.
When preparing for the meeting, come armed with clear, compelling talking points that highlight the organizational value of APICS certification:
- My knowledge will be current and relevant.
APICS certifications are grounded in globally recognized standards and developed with input from thousands of industry professionals. This means I’ll gain insights that are not only theoretical but immediately applicable in today’s fast-moving global environment.
- I will learn practical skills that impact my job immediately.
The APICS Learning Systems are designed for application—not just memorization. I’ll gain tools and techniques for improving inventory management, streamlining logistics, enhancing planning, and managing risk. These skills will help the company improve its current processes, respond more effectively to disruptions, and implement best practices that support both short-term performance and long-term growth.
- The certification is developed with employers in mind.
APICS certifications directly address the evolving demands placed on supply chain professionals today. As organizations face increasing complexity, certified team members bring strategic insight and operational discipline. This helps our company stay competitive, agile, and better equipped to handle change.
- The ROI is real.
Organizations that invest in employee certification see measurable returns—from reduced lead times to improved supplier collaboration. Supporting these certifications demonstrates our company’s commitment to continuous improvement and workforce development.
By framing certification as a business investment rather than a personal milestone, you position yourself as a committed, forward-thinking professional. So go ahead—schedule that meeting, show up prepared, and start the conversation. Your growth is your company’s gain.
Top Supply Chain Trends for 2025: Technology and Geopolitics Drive the Future
The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) has introduced its highly anticipated 2025 Trend Rankings, showcasing the factors expected to have the greatest impact on global supply chains. This year’s results reflect a growing reliance on technology, the increasing influence of geopolitics, and the ongoing need for resilience in the face of disruption.
At the top of the rankings, Artificial Intelligence has emerged as the leading trend, rising two spots from its 2024 position. The prominence of AI underscores its transformative role in modernizing supply chains through predictive analytics, automation, and smarter decision-making. As organizations strive to enhance operational efficiency, AI has proven indispensable in managing vast datasets and addressing challenges more effectively than traditional methods. Its rise highlights a growing confidence in the technology’s ability to deliver results and adapt to the complexities of today’s interconnected supply chains.
In an unexpected surge, Global Trade Dynamics and Geopolitical Policies climbed eight positions to secure the second spot on the list. This steep rise reflects the growing uncertainty surrounding global trade. Issues such as shifting trade agreements, economic sanctions, tariffs, and political tensions have created an environment where supply chain professionals must be more vigilant and adaptable than ever before. The influence of geopolitics cannot be ignored, as it determines market access, sourcing options, and the stability of supply routes. Businesses are now forced to balance cost optimization with risk mitigation, as the global landscape becomes increasingly unpredictable.
Falling one spot to third place, Big Data and Analytics remains a critical part of the supply chain landscape. While its slight drop reflects the rise of AI, big data remains the foundation upon which AI operates. Organizations leverage data to enhance visibility, predict demand, and streamline operations. Its position signals a shift from simply collecting data to extracting actionable insights through advanced technologies like machine learning.
Another notable riser in the rankings is Cybersecurity, which moved up four spots to claim the fourth position. As supply chains become increasingly digitized, the risk of cyberattacks grows exponentially. The focus on cybersecurity reflects a recognition that protecting sensitive data, systems, and infrastructure is paramount for organizations relying on digital tools to manage operations. The rise in ransomware attacks, phishing incidents, and data breaches has placed cybersecurity at the forefront of supply chain concerns.
The fifth trend, Agility and Resilience, rose two positions, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in navigating disruptions. Visibility and Traceability, at sixth, remain essential for transparency and compliance, though it slipped slightly in priority.
Three new trends entered the list in 2025: Digital Integration and Connectivity, which entered seventh place, signaling the push for seamless communication through connected technologies; Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management, which entered eighth place, reflecting efforts to mitigate supplier risks; and Workforce Evolution, which entered ninth place, highlighting the need for upskilling and addressing labor shortages.
Finally, Risk Management fell to tenth place, signaling a shift toward proactive strategies like resilience and agility to mitigate disruptions before they occur.
The ASCM’s 2025 rankings reveal a supply chain industry during a significant transformation. In the coming year, success will depend on an organization’s ability to balance technological advancements with geopolitical awareness, while fostering flexibility and resilience. Supply chains are no longer just operational functions but strategic assets capable of driving competitive advantage in an unpredictable world. The future promises to be dynamic, data-driven, and resilient—shaped by innovation, uncertainty, and the need for constant adaptation.
Value of Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC) Certification
Wisconsin ASCM Now Offering APICS CTSC
The Wisconsin ASCM chapter will be offering instructor-led CTSC (Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain) in January/February 2025. CTSC self-study materials are currently available in the store section of the site for individuals that cannot fit the instructor-led class into their schedule or want to earn certification this Fall.
What is the CTSC
The CTSC is the newest APICS certification developed in 2023. CTSC covers best practices from well-known systems to lead supply chain transformation projects for long-term change. Like the popular CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), the CTSC covers the end-to-end supply chain. The difference is the CTSC covers the end-to-end supply chain because a change in one area often has tradeoffs in other areas.
CTSC Certification Increases Earning Potential and Creates an Advantage in the Field
Year-after-year the 2024 ASCM Salary Report shows that certified supply chain professionals earn more than uncertified professionals. The 2024 report stated that individuals with at least one APICS certification earned a median salary 18% higher than their non-certified colleagues. Getting the new CTSC certification prepares professionals to add more value to organizations and distinguish themselves from colleagues because they can discuss the latest supply chain trends, identify risks, and find supply chain improvement opportunities.
CTSC Trains Individuals for Digital Transformation
The ASCM webinar, “Fireside Chat: Practical Applications of the CTSC Certification,” stated: “Only 30% of the functionality purchased 5 years ago is leveraged in supply chain processes. Process engineering done right gets organizations to 80% and is considered the first phase of digital transformation.”
Carol Cunningham, CSCP, CTSC, CS&OP, PMP, CPF, APICS Instructor, and Senior Manager-Sales & Operations Planning at Energizer said that implementing software is not transformation. “Going from spreadsheets to software is just a change in the tools.” The poor adoption rate, in my opinion, is because the processes and ways of working did not come with new software. The CTSC covers the tools available for transformation and how to apply the tools in various ways.
CTSC for Organizational Competitive Advantage
The webinar also talked about talent development as “a lever to both accelerate and de-risk digital transformation.” The investment in systems and people combined was new in 2024 to ASCM’s annual Top 10 Supply Chain Trends Report. The report stated: “In 2024, essential investments in people through training and development on the latest tech will create a culture of innovation and encourage employees to share ideas that lead to real supply chain success.”
Studying CTSC helps professionals be more agile and better prepared for rapid changes in the field. Agility and resilience was another trend listed in the 2024 Top 10 Supply Chain Trends Report. A company that encourages their people to earn this certification gains both a common language and process for supply chain transformation which can lead to a competitive advantage.
Who Can Benefit Most from CTSC
CTSC certification is recommended for current and aspiring supply chain leaders, people championing transformation, project managers, strategic sourcing, and IT professionals implementing software.
Read more about CTSC and watch for this Winter’s instructor-led class schedule here: ASCM Wisconsin Chapter - Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC)
Author: Helen Henderson, CSCP, CLTD - Director of Education, ASCM Wisconsin Chapter
Instructor-Led Certification Classes Prepare Professionals to Add Value and Earn More
- In-person classes help students stay on a planned study schedule reviewing all the modules on the exam
- Instructors provide local examples of companies using supply chain concepts in the materials.
- Instructors can answer questions on the material, the testing process, and preparing for the exam because they maintain active APICS certification in the certification material they are teaching.
- Network with other students who have experience solving supply chain challenges.
The salary numbers show organizations value the certifications. In the ASCM Webinar “Level Up Your Paycheck: Insights from the ASCM Salary and Career Report”, Abe Eshkenazi, Chief Executive Officer of ASCM said: The raises are happening because of the recognition of the contributions certified professionals are making to the organization. Individuals are being rewarded because they are advancing the organization; not because they are getting a certification.
ASCM asks organizations what competencies and capabilities are needed when designing certification programs. What is taught in school may not match what employers are looking for. New supply chain roles that did not exist a few years ago are being created. Supply chain professionals are now responsible for things that they weren’t 5 years ago like sustainability and compliance.
Register for Fall classes today at: ASCM Wisconsin Chapter - Classes
ASCM is an unbiased partner, connecting companies around the world with industry experts, frameworks and global standards to transform supply chains.