Self-test: Is the "Purchasing Specialist with Federal Certificate" course the right one for me?
Test here whether the job profile "Purchasing specialist with federal certificate" suits you and whether a part-time preparatory course is the right path for you.
What is everyday working life like as a purchasing specialist with a federal certificate?
A purchasing specialist is responsible for the planning of purchasing and operational procurement processes within their company. Depending on the size of the company, strategic supply management tasks may also be required. Purchasing specialists evaluate and manage suppliers, obtain quotations and conduct contract negotiations. They enter and maintain supplier data in the ERP system and manage purchasing and inventory. In addition to the administration of the entire order processing, they also have an overview of all current deadlines and create evaluations, statistics and reports. In some cases, purchasing specialists are also entrusted with team management or manage procurement independently and work on interdisciplinary projects. Purchasing specialists are employed in retail, service and manufacturing companies as well as public administrations. In an operational role, as an assistant to the purchasing manager, you take responsibility for a specific product group or specialist area.
The following areas of work are typical for purchasing specialists with a federal certificate:
- Strategic tasks such as
- Procurement market research and procurement policy
- Developing the product range strategy
- Requirements planning/determination
- Optimizing procurement-specific processes
- Ensuring the defined quality and cost targets are met
- Carrying out market and cost analyses
- Risk and sustainability management measures
- Disposition and operational procurement of goods
- Supplier management
- Price negotiations
- Warehouse and inventory management
- Preparation of requests
- Order placement and order monitoring
- Offers and framework agreements
- Collaboration in projects
- Administrative handling of the daily purchasing business
- Maintenance and updating of master data
- Audit
- Control of current appointments
Question 1:
Do the activities meet your expectations? Can you imagine working as a purchasing specialist?
Good if you like the job of a purchasing specialist. Then you are in the right specialist area. The question remains as to whether the preparatory course for the professional examination in purchasing is the right further training to acquire the desired skills in the field of purchasing.
Even if you don't like all the tasks involved in being a purchasing specialist, it could still be the right job for you. Because in almost every job there are also less interesting tasks to be done. However, the majority of the tasks as a purchasing specialist should interest you.
Take a look at descriptions of similar job profiles - perhaps a different degree would suit you better:
- Foreign trade specialist (BP)
- Bookseller (BP)
- Retail trade specialist (BP)
- Transportation and Logistics Dispatcher (BP)
- Logistics specialist (BP)
- International freight forwarding and logistics specialist (BP)
- Technical business management assistant (BP)
- Sales specialist (BP)
If the majority of the components of the job profile do not appeal to you, you could look at what you would have liked. Is it the strategic tasks, or rather the operational activities or administration? To be on the safe side, also check job advertisements for purchasing specialists, as the weighting of tasks can vary greatly depending on the size, sector and orientation of a company.
If it's the foreign languages that give you trouble or if you don't like hard bargaining, then you should consider further training in a different sector or focus.
If you are generally unsure about what you would like to do, we can help you with ourAdvisorhelp you find your own calling.
Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for purchasing specialists with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The Purchasing Specialist course is designed for companies of all sizes and from all sectors and is aimed at the following people:
- Professionals from the fields of purchasing, procurement, materials management or logistics who would like to expand and deepen their specialist knowledge
- Prospective managers who want to acquire specific specialist knowledge in purchasing to prepare for the next step in their career
- People who want to acquire cross-industry specialist knowledge in purchasing and prepare for the federal professional examination "Purchasing Specialist"
The following skills and characteristics are required for a successful job as a purchasing specialist:
- Confident appearance
- Good negotiation and presentation skills
- Fluency in oral and written expression and diplomacy
- Analytical combination skills and a sense for numbers
- Organized and efficient way of working
- Personal responsibility and assertiveness
- Ability to work in a team
- High customer and service orientation
- Good foreign language skills
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups of the purchasing specialist training program?
If you belong to the target group and you have the necessary skills and characteristics, then the Purchasing Specialist course is still an option for you. The course still seems to fit your expectations.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot directly apply for the federal certificate as a purchasing specialist. Entry opportunities in the field ofPurchasingare numerous and may offer alternative educational opportunities that may interest you even more or suit you better.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience in purchasing to qualify as a purchasing specialist, you can find out how to find a suitable position by checking job advertisements in this field. Or you may know people who work in purchasing and can help you find a job and put you in touch with them.
- If you do not have the necessary skills and qualities for the job description of purchasing specialist, you will probably not be good and satisfied in such a role. Look for alternative training courses in supply management.
- If you are still unsure about your professional development, contact experienced people such as career advisors for targeted advice or coaching:
Requirements for admission to the professional examination for purchasing specialists:
For admission to the final examination (federal professional examination) as a purchasing specialist, the following prerequisites are required at the start of the examination:
- Federal certificate of proficiency, school-leaving certificate (all types) or equivalent qualification
and
- At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in materials management, purchasing, procurement or logistics or a corresponding business area
or
- Professional certificate
and
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in materials management, purchasing, procurement or logistics or a corresponding business area
or
- Federal certificate in one of the following areas: Materials management, purchasing, procurement or logistics
Some schools also require prior knowledge in purchasing processing, accounting or a good knowledge of German. Depending on your previous knowledge, it is advisable to attend a preliminary course in finance and accounting or purchasing clerk.
You will be informed in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination for purchasing specialists - in the event of rejection, including reasons and information on legal remedies.
Note: The prerequisites, such as professional experience, only need to be fulfilled at the time of the federal written examinations. Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a purchasing specialist course if the admission criteria for the federal examination are not (yet) fulfilled at the start of the course. However, the responsibility for meeting the requirements at the time of the examination lies with you. Professional experience only counts from the completion of basic training.
Question 3:
Do you have the required apprenticeship qualification and the necessary professional experience for the professional examination for purchasing specialists? And do you have the confidence to complete the additional courses required?
If you meet the requirements, you can start your purchasing specialist training at the earliest possible date. You will then be admitted to the professional examination.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience is sufficient, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examinationprocure.chthe trade association for purchasing and supply management.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the professional examination for purchasing specialists, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you know someone who is employed in purchasing, ask this person for help with the job search.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination after the Purchasing Specialist course with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you have not completed your basic vocational training, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Or take a look at the "Purchasing Clerk" course, which can be an intermediate step on the way to the professional examination:
If you completed your apprenticeship less than three or four years ago, or if you have not worked in your profession in the meantime, you should look for a suitable position before starting the Purchasing Specialist course.
And if you have neither a federal apprenticeship qualification nor have worked in purchasing, procurement, materials management or logistics, you should find out about other further training opportunities in your field of work.
Subject matter and content of the purchasing specialist training course:
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the Purchasing Specialist Certificate is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, the Professional Association for Purchasing and Supply Managementprocure.ch.
The learning content of the Purchasing Specialist training is divided into the following topics:
- Basic skills:
- Contract law
- Project management
- Economics
- Finance and accounting
- Specialist areas of expertise:
- Price and cost structure analysis
- Procurement market research
- Procurement logistics
- Procurement strategies
- Supplier management
- Supply chain management (SCM) and sustainability
- Self, social and leadership skills
- Self-management and leadership
- Conversation and negotiation skills
Question 4:
Are you interested in the contents of the purchasing specialist training course and would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Perfect, the content suits you perfectly. With the skills you have learned, you can score points on the job market and increase your salary opportunities. You can now find out more about the structure and concept of the purchasing specialist training course from the training institutes.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the Purchasing Specialist further training course, then this course is probably not the right one for you. Then take a look at other training and further education opportunities in theShopping areathat suit you better due to the content taught.
Obviously the typical course content for a purchasing specialist with a federal certificate is not for you. You would be better off looking at other further training courses. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training for purchasing specialists:
The costs vary depending on the provider and duration of the Purchasing Specialist training course. On average, these amounts are to be expected for the training costs:
- Course fees:between CHF 4'700.- and CHF 12'800.-
After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
Note: Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband receive a 10% discount on the costs of training courses and courses offered by individual training providers - Examination fees:CHF 2,400 (as at: 2023)
The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the purchasing specialist examination. - Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and interim qualifications, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect to incur for the further training course for purchasing specialists.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as the Purchasing Specialist course have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also pre-financed in exceptional cases.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance between CHF 4,700 and CHF 12,800 for the purchasing specialist course and CHF 2,400 for the exam, depending on the course and provider?
Great! Here's another tip: If you would be able to pay the entire amount for the purchasing specialist training in advance, many schools will grant you a discount.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs you would have to expect for the purchasing specialist course. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs of the purchasing specialist course and ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs you would have to expect. Then find out from your employer whether they will contribute to the costs and ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort for the purchasing specialist training:
- The Purchasing Specialist training, continuing education is modular (i.e. some of the skills are assessed in module examinations before the professional examination and are only tested across modules in the final examination) and lasts 2 semesters while working. It comprises around 270 lessons.
- Lesson times vary depending on the provider of the Purchasing Specialist course. As a rule, the lessons take place on an afternoon and evening during the week and on a Saturday or two evenings.
- Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online teaching (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the Purchasing Specialist course, you can apply and deepen your knowledge immediately in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for lesson preparation and follow-up as well as for self-study. Depending on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed, we recommend that you allow at least 6 to 8 hours per week.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons", which provide an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. A suitable learning environment is important on the way to successfully completing a purchasing specialist qualification.
Question 6:
Can you cope with the time and effort required for classroom teaching and homework for the purchasing specialist training?
If you are confident that you can cope with the teaching hours and the learning effort, you should start a purchasing specialist apprenticeship. The most you can do is consider whether you can achieve even better results with suitable learning and working methods and a learning plan. Efficient learning methods pay off in any case.
If you don't have that much time for the purchasing specialist course, check with the providers whether the course can be spread over more than two semesters. Or can you find another way to free up time? Perhaps you can hand over certain tasks during the training period?
Degree, diploma and title Purchasing Specialists:
The professional examination "Purchasing Specialist with Federal Certificate" takes place annually, provided that at least 12 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in German, French or Italian.
Candidates for the professional examination for purchasing specialists are notified at least 4 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The professional examination for purchasing specialists comprises the following twelve parts:
- Procurement logistics (written, 90 min.)
Understanding the basics, assessing planning types, evaluating supply and stockpiling principles, developing and implementing procurement models and concepts, applying lT-supported procurement - Supplier management (written, 90 min.)
Understanding strategic supplier management, segmenting the supplier base, developing and implementing supplier relationships, managing the supplier base, improving supplier performance through quality management - Procurement strategies (written, 60 min.)
Understand procurement requirements, determine and assess requirements, derive and implement strategies, know market and supplier requirements, check profitability with key figures - Procurement market research (written, 90 min.)
Understanding reasons, goals and tasks, determining needs in a targeted manner, applying types and methods, understanding markets and their developments, applying BMF as a holistic process in projects - Price and cost structure analysis (written, 90 min.)
Understanding strategic framework conditions, using calculation methods, carrying out and evaluating price analyses, obtaining information for price analysis, using results from cost and price analysis - Supply Cham Management and Sustainability (oral, 45 min.)
Understanding company requirements, developing objectives and recommending measures, deriving strategies and concepts, reviewing profitability and proposing measures - Project management (written, 60 min.)
Preparing and supporting projects, managing projects / sub-projects, steering projects and developing solutions, evaluating solutions and completing projects - Finance and accounting (written, 60 min.)
Understand the basics, understand balance sheets, prepare and assess income statements, prepare and assess calculations on a full cost basis or partial cost basis - Contract law (oral, 30 min.)
Understanding the basics of the Swiss legal system, mastering the basics of general contract law, applying contracts, dealing with incidents, using cross-border contracts - Economics (oral, 30 min.)
Understanding the fundamentals of the economic system, assessing market mechanisms, using stock exchanges as a trading venue, taking globalization and structural change into account, observing macroeconomic interrelationships, considering aspects of monetary and economic policy - Self-management and leadership (oral, 30 min.)
Understanding personality and leadership, applying work techniques and time management, leading and developing employees, communicating successfully, managing conflicts, presenting results - Conversation and negotiation skills (oral, 45 min.)
Preparing discussions and negotiations, applying models, techniques and styles of communication, conducting discussions and negotiations, concluding discussions and negotiations
Diploma and title "Purchasing Specialist"
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Purchasing Specialist with Federal Certificate" or "Purchasing Specialist with Federal Certificate".
- In French: "Spécialiste d'achat / approvisionnement avec brevet fédéral"
- In Italian: "Specialista d'approvvigionamento con attestato professionale federale"
- In English: "Certified Purchasing Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination to become a purchasing specialist with a federal certificate?
Good, you are confident that you will successfully complete the professional examination following the further training as a purchasing specialist. Make sure that you attend classes regularly, actively participate and prepare and revise the material at home. Targeted questions in case of uncertainty, active participation in learning groups and targeted exam preparation are also important success factors.
If you are unsure about a successful conclusion, we recommend the following:
- oneInformation eventof the favored educational institute
- onepersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice for further training as a purchasing specialist
- at theSchool managementAsk about support options
- oneInformationfrom theSponsorship of the professional examinationto dispel your concerns
- itselfSupportfromLearning therapistorCoachthroughautogenicormental trainingGet
If, despite possible additional measures such as preparatory courses, targeted learning and support from professionals (tutoring, learning therapists, coaches, mental training, etc.), you do not feel you have a chance of passing the final examination, then the purchasing specialist course is not recommended. Check alternative training courses that do not include a traditional final examination, but where the qualification can be obtained by means of written assignments, practical work or technical discussions.
No, this course for the federal certificate as a purchasing specialist (BP) does not suit you. What a pity? Perhaps not, because there are so many other opportunities for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Purchasing specialist with a federal certificate is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: working as a purchasing specialist with a federal certificate does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Purchasing specialist training, further training is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you will learn a lot more about further education and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Purchasing specialist with a federal certificate"
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Purchasing specialist with a federal certificate"
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Purchasing specialist with a federal certificate"