CSCP Exam Prep Course

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for supply chain professionals who lead and manage their organization's supply chain operations. Individuals who manage the following categories are a great fit for the program:

• Supply chain design 
• Transportation 
• Distribution channels 
• Customer management 
• Supplier management 
• Supply chain management 
• 3PL/4PL management
• Supply chain consulting 

Course Outline

The course is divided into 8 modules.

Module 1: Supply Chains, Demand Management, and Forecasting

• Visualizing the supply chain entities, structures, and flows used to procure and deliver goods and services
• Differentiating vertical versus horizontal integration and different levels of supply chain maturity
• Using planning, communicating, influencing, and prioritizing steps in demand management, including market research and demand forecasting
• Assessing portfolios and products using product portfolio management, the 4Ps of marketing, and product life-cycle management (PLM)
• Using sales and operations planning (S&OP) to align supply with demand

Module 2: Global Supply Chain Networks

• Designing the supply chain and configuring the supply chain network
• Balancing efficiency with responsiveness while being resilient
• Optimizing technology by matching requirements to various supply chain technologies and interfaces
• Forming cross-functional and cross-organizational supply chain design teams
• Safeguarding and maintaining cybersecurity, data privacy, and supply chain master data
• Improving the supply chain by measuring and analyzing performance with supply chain metrics focused on customers, financial reports, operational practices, and customer service
• Becoming familiar with accounting and financial reporting information and strategic analysis tools

Module 3: Sourcing Products and Services

• Following a sourcing process to capture changes, such as for new products
• Managing supply based on total cost of ownership and make-versus-buy analysis
• Developing a category strategy and sourcing categories • Doing spend and portfolio analyses to right-size the supplier base
• Developing supply plans based on buyer-supplier relationships • Influencing product designs to promote collaboration and requirements inclusiveness
• Negotiating effective supply contracts/purchase orders and selecting proper payment terms

Module 4: Internal Operations and Inventory 

• Leveraging manufacturing planning and control including master planning, master scheduling, material requirements planning, distribution requirements planning, and various levels of capacity checks
• Managing, planning, and controlling inventory to keep it at proper levels and replenish it efficiently
• Understanding the effects of inventory on financial statements and inventory-related cost categories
• Using quality and continuous improvement techniques and principles, including lean and just-in-time

Module 5: Forward and Reverse Logistics

• Determining strategies for logistics, warehouse management, and transportation management
• Complying with international standards and considerations for import/export, tax/tariff, and labor laws
• Managing reverse logistics and waste

Module 6: Supply Chain Relationships

• Segmenting customers, suppliers, and other partners
• Using supplier relationship management (SRM) and customer relationship management (CRM) to develop, measure, and maintain relationships
• Understanding the communication process and dimensions

Module 7: Supply Chain Risk

• Identifying, assessing, classifying, and responding to supply chain risks in a cost-effective manner
• Learning about common supply chain risks and how to make preventive and contingent action plans

Module 8: Optimization, Sustainability, and Technology

• Considering inputs and objectives of organizational strategy and supply chain management strategy
• Recognizing and resolving strategic misalignments and gaps
• Building sustainable best practices and ensuring corporate social responsibility compliance
• Embracing sustainability principles, standards, and reporting methods, including the UN Global Compact and GRI sustainability reporting standards
• Assessing technology needs and learning about emerging technologies
• Implementing changes using project management and change management

Exam Preparation, Details and Qualifications

Your journey to becoming certified begins with the CSCP Learning System, included with your registration for the course. The CSCP Learning System builds on existing strengths and deepens your understanding of supply chain management principles. The instructor-led class format helps you navigate concepts and enriches your learning.

The exam consists of 150 computer-based questions and takes approximately 3.5 hours.

To qualify for the CSCP, candidates must meet one of three requirements:

• Possess at least three years of supply chain related business experience.
• Possess a Bachelors’ degree or the international equivalent.
• Hold an ASCM CLTD, CPIM, SCOR-P, CIRM, CTL or an ASCM fellows level certification or possess a CPM, CSM or CPSM.

Meet Your Instructor

Gene Pledger, CSCP, CPIM, CTSC, SCOR-DS

Gene Pledger, CSCP, CPIM, CTSC, SCOR-DS, is an APICS IDP-Master Instructor and the Operations Manager at FSGroup. He has worked in the food processing equipment industry for 18 years, positively impacting organizational profitability and standing through supply chain best practices and transformation initiatives, focusing on strategic procurement and commodity market analysis. As a consultant, Gene worked directly with clients to establish strategic plans, effectively manage change, and improve processes.