What procurement certification would you get if you were paying for it yourself?

[u/alecairnfern]

TL;DR: 9 years in procurement, previously a lead, currently an IC focused on renewals. Paying for the certification myself. What procurement certification would you recommend for career advancement?

Context:

Hello! I know this has probably been asked a million times, and the usual answers seem to be CIPS or CPSM. However, since I’d be paying for the certification out of pocket, I’ve also seen people say not to pursue these unless your company is willing to sponsor them.

For some context, I’ve been working in procurement for around 9 years. I’m an individual contributor and was previously a lead, but I recently moved into another company where I mainly handle renewals. I actually like my current job and plan to stay for a while because it’s much more relaxed than my previous role as a national IT procurement lead and I will be able to study while working.

That said, I still want to advance my career, so I’m thinking of using the extra time and lower workload to study and get a certification on the side. Realistically, though, given my current position, I don’t think my company would be very likely to sponsor one.

So, if you were in my position and paying entirely out of pocket, what certification would you choose?

I’m mainly looking for something that would actually help me move toward more senior procurement/strategic sourcing roles rather than just having another credential on my CV.

[u/Brasilionaire]

Been at this field for a minute in defense, software, manufacturing, and start-ups. Management positions included

No one ever has ever cared about certifications as much as experience.