Operations and supply chain management professionals who really know their stuff will soon have another opportunity to prove it. Beginning in March, an industry group will offer a new professional certification option. In addition to designations like CSCM (Certified Supply Chain Manager) and CSCA (Certified Supply Chain Analyst), interested professionals will be able to apply for the designation of Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) by completing a new education program offered by APICS, the Association for Operations Management.

Announced at the group's annual conference in October, the program will focus on the flow of goods from suppliers through to the final consumer, with a focus on managing the integration of those activities. Instruction will be divided into four modules: supply chain management fundamentals; building competitive operations, planning and logistics; managing customer and supplier relationships; and using information technology.

In announcing the new program, APICS President Thomas J. Krupa said, "The APICS CSCP designation will equip today's professionals with the credentials to improve their companies' competitive success and their own professional advancement. The new CSCP designation reflects the expanding role supply chain management plays in today's increasingly competitive global marketplace."

APICS has joined with Holmes Corp., a specialist in developing educational materials for association certification programs, to develop the course work, which combines print materials and interactive online tools. As for the mode of instruction, participants have three options: self-directed study, instructor-led classes, or corporate group instruction. Materials for self-directed study are available right now, but applicants who wish to take classes will have to wait until the second quarter of 2006. That's when APICS will begin offering the instructor-led courses through its chapters around the country and through colleges and universities and corporate programs.

To be eligible to take the CSCP exam, which will first be offered in March, a candidate must have a bachelor's degree plus two years of related business experience, have a related certification and two years' experience, or have five years of related business experience.

For more information on the program, visit www.apics.org/CSCP.