What American Purchasing Society does

American Purchasing Society (APS), founded in 1969 and headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a private professional membership organization that serves buyers, purchasing managers, supply chain professionals, and organizations across all 50 U.S. states and 28 countries. It operates a web-based platform (american-purchasing.com) that delivers five core certification programs — Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM), Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP), Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant (CPPC), and Certified Professional in Distribution and Warehousing (CPDW) — along with an entry-level Essential Principles of Purchasing Certificate. The platform supports both self-paced 2–3 hour online courses and three-week instructor-led courses, alongside tools including a measurement conversion calculator, a PeopleTicker-powered contingent labor rate calculator, a job board, a resume evaluation service, and a members-only benchmarking and salary data library.

APS was the first organization to establish a national certification program for purchasing professionals, and its CPP credential is differentiated by incorporating reference checks on applicants' business reputation in addition to competency examination. The Society has produced proprietary longitudinal datasets through its annual salary survey (since 1974) and annual Research and Procurement Benchmarking Report (since 1998), and publishes the monthly Professional Purchasing magazine (since 1972). It claims certified professionals earn on average 23.4% more than non-certified peers.

The business model is multi-stream and primarily direct-to-consumer: recurring individual and company membership dues; one-time certification application fees ranging from $230 to $515; online course enrollment ($29–$725); book and publication sales ($19.75–$279); job board postings ($300–$750 for non-members, free for members); resume evaluation ($60/$90); and professional services including procurement department evaluations ($875) and customized onsite consulting. Distribution combines self-serve online enrollment, phone-based inside sales, and a network of international training partners across the Middle East, Turkey, India, Morocco, and other regions. The Society has 11–50 employees, no disclosed external funding, and is led by CEO and President Richard H. Hough.

Name

American Purchasing Society

Legal name

American Purchasing Society Inc.

Website

https://american-purchasing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

American Purchasing Society, founded in 1969 in Aurora, Illinois, is a private professional membership organization offering CPP, CPPM, CGPP, CPDW, and CPPC certifications, online courses, and career services to buyers and purchasing professionals across all 50 U.S. states and 28 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Individual and company memberships provide recurring annual revenue. Individual memberships allow members to take benefits with them if they change companies. Company memberships include all benefits for up to three representatives without extra fee, with additional charge for each person over three.
2. Certification Processing Fees: One-time certification application fees for CPP ($299 members/$515 non-members), CPPM ($294 members/$500 non-members), CGPP ($294 members/$425 non-members), CPPC ($294 members/$425 non-members), and CPDW ($230 members/$250 non-members).
3. Online Courses and Seminars: Revenue from online purchasing and procurement courses ranging from $29 to $725 depending on course type and member/non-member pricing. Includes self-running courses (2-3 hours) and 3-4 week instructor-led courses.
4. Job Board Posting Services: Free job postings for members; nonmembers pay $300 for one posting or $750 for multiple postings for a year.
5. Resume Evaluation Service: Members pay $60 for resume evaluation service; nonmembers pay $90.
6. Books and Publications: Sale of procurement books and professional development materials with member discounts. Books range from $19.75 to $279.00.
7. Consulting Services: Procurement consulting services including purchasing department evaluation at $875 for members, and customized onsite training/consulting at member rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The American Purchasing Society is a private professional membership association that sells individual and company memberships and delivers recognized purchasing and supply-chain certification programs (CPP, CPPM, CGPP, CPDW, CPPC, and the Essential Principles of Purchasing Certificate). It complements these core memberships with online self-paced courses, live training seminars, professional publications (magazine and books), a Career Center job board, resume evaluation, salary surveys, benchmarking reports, and fee-based purchasing consulting services for both individual professionals and corporate clients.

Product overview

The American Purchasing Society offers a professional membership organization focused on purchasing certification, education, and career development. The core offering centers on five certification programs (CPP, CPPM, CGPP, CPDW, CPPC) and online courses for purchasing professionals. Supporting products include the Professional Purchasing magazine, career center with job listings and resume services, consulting services, benchmarking and salary reports, and various purchasing tools such as conversion calculators and the PeopleTicker labor rate calculator. The Society operates as a membership-based professional organization rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Annual individual-tier memberships (Educational $30/year, Professional $55/year or $105/3 years, Executive $95/year or $285/3 years, Family $75/year) giving purchasing professionals access to member benefits, publications, online resources, and certification discounts.
• Company Membership Annual corporate membership priced at $650/year covering up to three designated company representatives, intended for organizations that want to formalize credentials for their in-house purchasing team.
• Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) The flagship professional credential for individual purchasing professionals, ANSI/ISO 17024-accredited and recognized since 1974, validating core purchasing competence for individual contributors.
• Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM) ANSI-accredited management-level certification for purchasing managers and supervisors, recognized since 1974, validating managerial purchasing competence.
• Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP) Specialty certification for professionals focused on sustainable and environmentally responsible purchasing practices.
• Certified Purchasing and Digital World (CPDW) Certification covering purchasing in a digital and technology-driven environment, addressing e-procurement and digital sourcing tools.
• Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant (CPPC) Advanced certification for professionals providing purchasing consulting services and advisory engagements.
• Essential Principles of Purchasing Certificate Program Foundational certificate program that covers the essential principles of purchasing for entry-level professionals or those new to the field.
• Online Purchasing Courses Self-paced online training courses covering purchasing topics, available to members and non-members via the Society's learning portal.
• Professional Purchasing Magazine Subscription-based professional magazine for purchasing professionals covering industry trends, best practices, and editorial content.
• Professional Purchasing Books Published books for purchasing professionals, including titles such as 'About Purchasing: A Guide to Finding a Better Job,' covering career and field knowledge.
• Purchasing Career Center Online Career Center and job board for purchasing professionals that connects members seeking jobs with employers and recruiters posting openings.
• Resume Evaluation Service Paid service in which the Society's staff reviews and evaluates member resumes for purchasing-related job applications.
• Salary Survey Reports Annual Salary Survey reports that publish benchmarking compensation data for purchasing professionals, used by HR, procurement leaders, and individual members.
• PeopleTicker Labor Rate Calculator Online calculator tool that provides labor-rate benchmarks for purchasing and supply-chain roles, supporting salary and rate research.
• Purchasing Consulting Services Fee-based consulting services delivered to companies by senior consultants and editors (including Harry E. Hough, Robert Menard, and Jeff Steele), covering purchasing diagnostics, transformation, and live seminars at client sites.
• Live Purchasing Seminars Instructor-led live seminars on purchasing topics run by senior consultants and editors for individual members and corporate groups, including on-site delivery at client locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Certified Purchasing Professionals (CPP) earn an average of 23.4% more than non-certified purchasing and supply chain professionals.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PeopleTickercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeopleTicker selected by American Purchasing Society to provide membership with procurement best practice tools for procuring contingent labor. Provides real-time labor rate calculator data to help negotiate savings, increase retention, and decrease time to fill for contingent labor procurement. Includes Skills Village networking platform for procurement professionals.
• Blue Ocean AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternationally reputed management training and consultancy with offices in UK, UAE, and India. Affiliated with APS to offer students certification. Has partnerships with Griggs University, Halifax College, and American Institute of Business Management.
• ESIL (Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénierie Logistique)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMoroccan leading institution in training and consulting in Supply Chain and Purchasing. Offers Executive Specialized Master degree in Management of Supply Chain and Purchasing in partnership with engineering school in Casablanca. Established partnerships in UAE, France, UK, USA, and Tunisia for certifications.
• Berkeley Training and Educational Consultancy LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraining and educational consultancy based in Qatar focused on Management Consultancy, Training and Development, and Headhunting. Programs cover Business Management, Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
• Excellence Training CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQatar's largest and most prestigious private training centre. Trusted by companies like Qatar Airways, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Gas, Qatar Development Bank. Provides trainings in Procurement & Supply Chain, Accounting & Finance, Sales and Marketing, Business Management.
• Edoxi Training InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional skills development provider headquartered in Dubai with operations in Qatar, Kuwait, Riyadh, and London. Has empowered over 20,000 professionals with skills in data science, cybersecurity, software development, project management, finance, leadership, and soft skills.
• ICON Training CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobally recognized training provider based in Qatar serving corporate platforms and progress-driven individuals. Affiliated with several international certification bodies. Provides structured learning pathways for educational attainment upgrades.
• Laurels Training Institute LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraining provider established in Dubai, UAE in 2013. Known for best training and authentic certifications in UAE, Middle East, Africa & Asia. Affiliated with prestigious globally certifying bodies for courses for individuals, corporations, MNCs, government organizations & educational institutes.
• Future Training AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraining academy established in Cairo, Egypt in 2001. Presents training, consulting, and conference programs in Egypt, Arab world, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Morocco, Britain, France, Spain, and Italy. Offers programs in Occupational Safety, Petroleum Engineering, Quality, Business Management, Supply Chains, Logistics, Purchasing.
• Leaders Training CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInstitute of learning established in Qatar in 2019. Core expertise in courses, training, and workshops for sectors including Accountancy, Health & Safety, Management, and Language. NEBOSH GOLD Partner and ACCA Silver Partner.
• Satinalma Akademisi A.S.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTurkish company offering training and consultancy services on strategic management and strategic procurement. Preferred training partner of APS in Turkey since May 2015. Organizes events and international exhibition groups.
• American Certification InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier professional certification institute founded in USA in 1999 with headquarters in Lewes, Delaware and Far Eastern Branch in Beijing, PRC. Provides training, testing, and certification for business-related programs including certifications from Global Negotiation Institute.
• Solution & Consultation Academy (SCA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraining company located in Egypt focused on Training, research, development, and implementation of sustainable strategic change. Adopt interactive working-partner style, focusing on top management concerns and business operations transformation.
• WingsWay Training Institute LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading innovative skills provider with offices in UAE & India catering to Gulf, Middle East, Africa & Indian sub-continent. Approved Training Center by Dubai's Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) & Dubai Economy Department. Affiliations with world-renowned certification bodies.
• RFP Database (RFPdb)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerB2B marketplace and exchange service for Requests for Proposals enabling organizations (non-profit, corporate, government) to announce competitive bid projects for free, while giving agencies access to potential projects.
• Industry NetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline sourcing tool connecting members and purchasing community with suppliers. Allows users to notify suppliers of quote requests after registering. Provides access to manufacturers and suppliers across U.S.
• Aviation WeekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresents the Integrated Asset Management and Inventory Solutions Forum focusing on MRO supply chain at $44B value. Forum brings together operators, suppliers, and MRO to uncover strategies for reducing inventory investments while maximizing growth and service.
• Robert Menard, CPP, CGPP, CPPCminorOthersVoice of Customer and author of 'You're the Buyer-You Negotiate It'. Helps clients make money through negotiation. Has delivered over 1,400 speeches in 47 states and 5 foreign countries. Provides training and consulting services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Next Level Purchasing: Specialty procurement training and certification provider led by procurement expert Jon Hansen (CPP, CPSM), directly targeting the same buyers and purchasing managers that APS serves with online courses and credentials.
• Institute for Supply Management (ISM): The dominant U.S. professional association for supply management and procurement, offering CPSM, CPSD, and other certifications that compete head-to-head with APS's CPP and CPPM credentials for the same buyer and supply-chain persona.
• Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS): Global procurement professional body offering MCIPS and related credentials; directly comparable to APS in providing tiered certification ladders, training content, and member services to purchasing practitioners worldwide.

Broad incumbents

• SIG (Sourcing Industry Group): Membership organization for sourcing, procurement, and risk executives; comparable to APS in operating a paid-membership model with training, events, and benchmarking, though oriented toward sourcing-outsourcing practitioners.
• Procurement Leaders: Membership and research community serving senior procurement executives globally; comparable to APS in offering subscription membership, benchmarking research, and professional development, but aimed at the chief-procurement-officer tier.
• ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management, formerly APICS): The largest supply chain professional association, offering CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, and SCOR-based credentials; competes with APS for the same procurement and supply-chain professional L&D budget with deeper corporate penetration and broader scope.

Emerging players

• Spend Matters: Procurement and supply-chain media, research, and advisory firm covering technology and best practices; overlaps with APS's benchmarking and salary-report content but monetizes via research subscriptions and analyst advisory.
• Procurement Academy: Online procurement training and certification platform offering self-paced courses for buyers and supply-chain professionals; directly comparable to APS's online-course and certificate program offering.

Others

• McKinsey & Company (Procurement Practice): Global consulting firm with a dedicated procurement and supply-chain practice that publishes widely cited benchmark studies; competes indirectly with APS's benchmarking reports for mindshare and enterprise benchmarking spend.

Regional players

• Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA): Canada's national supply chain management association offering the SCMP designation; offers the same professional-association-plus-certification model as APS but is geographically focused on the Canadian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AmerPurchSoc
• Facebookfacebook.com/americanpurchasingsociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-purchasing-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Purchasing Society