Course Overview

The APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM®) certification is a globally recognized credential offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). Widely regarded as one of the leading certifications in production and inventory management, CPIM validates the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage internal supply chain operations, optimize inventory performance, improve planning processes, and support organizational efficiency.

The CPIM certification is designed for professionals responsible for demand management, inventory planning, procurement, production planning, scheduling, materials management, and operations execution. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how organizations plan, manage, and improve the flow of materials, information, and resources throughout manufacturing and operational environments.

Whether you are a production planner, inventory analyst, operations manager, supply chain professional, procurement specialist, materials manager, manufacturing professional, logistics coordinator, business analyst, or an individual seeking to advance a career in operations and supply chain management, this course provides the knowledge and skills required to understand planning and inventory management best practices and prepare for the CPIM certification journey.

Throughout this course, you will explore demand management, supply planning, procurement, inventory management, production planning, capacity management, scheduling, quality management, continuous improvement, and operational excellence practices. You will also learn how organizations leverage planning and inventory management strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance customer service, and support business objectives.

APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) Key Features

• CPIM Certification Aligned Course Material
• Comprehensive Question Bank and Practice Assessments
• Domain-Based Learning Aligned with CPIM Exam Content
• Real-World Planning and Inventory Management Scenarios
• Practical Production, Procurement, and Operations Case Studies
• Industry-Recognized Planning and Inventory Best Practices
• End-to-End Certification Preparation Guidance
• Exam Readiness Support and Study Recommendations

Core Skills Covered

Develop the planning, inventory, and operations management skills required to support efficient supply chain and manufacturing operations:

• Demand Management
• Supply Planning and Scheduling
• Inventory Management and Optimization
• Procurement and Supplier Management
• Production Planning and Control
• Capacity Planning and Resource Management
• Materials Management
• Operations Execution and Control
• Quality and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Operations Management

What You’ll Learn

• Understand the fundamentals of planning and inventory management.
• Learn demand management and forecasting concepts.
• Explore procurement, sourcing, and supplier management practices.
• Understand inventory planning, control, and optimization techniques.
• Learn production planning and scheduling methodologies.
• Explore capacity planning and resource management principles.
• Understand materials management and operations execution processes.
• Learn quality management and continuous improvement concepts.
• Explore performance measurement and operational excellence practices.
• Understand how planning and inventory management support business objectives.
• Gain an understanding of CPIM certification requirements and examination objectives.
• Build a strong foundation for advanced supply chain, operations, and manufacturing leadership roles.

Course Outline

This course is structured around current CPIM learning objectives and planning and inventory management best practices.

Introduction to Planning and Inventory Management

• Fundamentals of Planning and Inventory Management
• Operations and Supply Chain Overview
• Business Strategy and Operations Alignment
• Manufacturing and Service Operations Concepts
• Performance Objectives and Operational Excellence

Demand Management

• Demand Management Fundamentals
• Forecasting Principles and Techniques
• Demand Planning Processes
• Customer Demand Management
• Demand Analysis and Monitoring
• Forecast Accuracy Measurement

Supply Planning

• Supply Planning Fundamentals
• Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Concepts
• Master Planning Principles
• Material Planning Techniques
• Inventory Replenishment Strategies
• Balancing Supply and Demand

Inventory Management

• Inventory Management Fundamentals
• Inventory Classification Techniques
• Inventory Control Methods
• Inventory Accuracy and Record Management
• Safety Stock and Service Level Concepts
• Inventory Optimization Strategies
• Cycle Counting Practices

Procurement and Supplier Management

• Procurement Fundamentals
• Supplier Selection and Evaluation
• Purchasing Processes
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Contract and Sourcing Considerations
• Supplier Performance Monitoring

Capacity Planning and Resource Management

• Capacity Planning Fundamentals
• Resource Planning Concepts
• Workforce Planning Considerations
• Equipment and Facility Capacity Management
• Constraint Identification and Management
• Capacity Utilization Optimization

Production Planning and Scheduling

• Production Planning Fundamentals
• Master Production Scheduling (MPS)
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP) Concepts
• Detailed Scheduling Techniques
• Shop Floor Control Concepts
• Workflow and Process Optimization

Operations Execution and Control

• Operations Execution Principles
• Production Activity Control
• Inventory Transactions and Control
• Warehouse and Materials Handling Concepts
• Operational Performance Monitoring
• Process Control and Operational Visibility

Quality Management and Continuous Improvement

• Quality Management Principles
• Continuous Improvement Methodologies
• Lean Operations Concepts
• Waste Reduction Techniques
• Root Cause Analysis
• Performance Measurement and Improvement

Strategic Management of Resources

• Strategic Operations Management
• Resource Planning and Optimization
• Risk Management Concepts
• Sustainability Considerations
• Technology and Digital Transformation Awareness
• Organizational Performance Alignment

Certification Preparation

• CPIM Exam Structure and Objectives
• Exam Strategy and Preparation Techniques
• Sample Questions and Practice Exercises
• Study and Review Best Practices
• Certification Maintenance Awareness

What You’ll Get From This Course

• Understand planning and inventory management principles and practices.
• Learn industry-recognized operations and inventory management methodologies.
• Develop practical skills for demand planning, inventory control, and production management.
• Understand procurement, scheduling, and resource planning concepts.
• Gain insight into quality management and continuous improvement practices.
• Learn approaches for optimizing operational performance and efficiency.
• Understand how planning and inventory management support supply chain success.
• Build confidence for pursuing the CPIM certification.
• Establish a strong foundation for advanced supply chain and operations management roles.

Who This Course Is For

• Production Planners
• Inventory Analysts
• Materials Managers
• Procurement Professionals
• Operations Managers
• Manufacturing Professionals
• Supply Chain Professionals
• Logistics Coordinators
• Demand Planners
• Business Analysts
• Individuals Preparing for the CPIM Certification

Why Take This Course?

• Earn one of the most respected planning and inventory management certifications globally.
• Develop practical production, inventory, and operations management skills.
• Learn globally recognized planning and inventory management best practices.
• Strengthen your ability to optimize inventory, resources, and operational performance.
• Build confidence for pursuing the CPIM certification.
• Enhance your professional credibility and career opportunities.
• Support organizational efficiency, productivity, and customer service objectives.
• Establish a pathway toward advanced supply chain and operations leadership roles.

Pre-requisites

• There are no mandatory prerequisite certifications required to take the CPIM examination.
• Experience in operations, manufacturing, inventory management, procurement, logistics, or supply chain functions can be beneficial.
• Familiarity with business operations and planning concepts is recommended but not required.
• Candidates pursuing certification should review the latest CPIM examination requirements and policies before scheduling the examination.
• ASCM may update certification requirements, examination content, eligibility criteria, and policies over time; candidates should always refer to official guidance for the most current information.

Important Note

This course is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of planning and inventory management, demand management, supply planning, procurement, inventory control, capacity planning, production scheduling, operations execution, quality management, and continuous improvement practices while supporting APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification preparation. Certification requirements, examination content, policies, fees, and eligibility criteria are determined by ASCM and may change over time. Candidates should always refer to the latest CPIM certification requirements, examination content, and official ASCM resources for the most current information. This course is intended to help learners build practical planning and inventory management expertise, strengthen operational and analytical capabilities, and establish a strong foundation for long-term career growth in manufacturing, operations management, inventory management, supply chain planning, and business operations.