The Certified Category & Merchandise Operations Professional/Manager (CCMOP)™/(CCMOM)™ certification program is a specialized, industry-recognized qualification designed for professionals responsible for managing product categories, merchandising strategies, and inventory planning to maximize sales and profitability. In today’s competitive retail landscape, category and merchandise operations play a critical role in ensuring the right products are available at the right time, in the right quantities, and at the right price. This program equips participants with the skills, analytical tools, and strategic frameworks to optimize category performance and deliver value to both customers and the business.
Category and merchandise operations management involves more than just product selection — it requires data-driven decision-making, market trend analysis, supplier negotiations, pricing strategies, promotional planning, and in-store presentation optimization. Participants in this program will explore essential topics such as assortment planning, space management, retail analytics, supplier collaboration, private label development, and omni-channel merchandising. The curriculum also addresses modern retail challenges, including demand forecasting, shrinkage control, seasonal inventory management, and the integration of digital tools such as AI-driven product recommendations and planogram automation.
Whether managing a specific product category in a single store, overseeing multiple categories across a retail chain, or leading corporate-level merchandise strategy, graduates of the (CCMOP)™/(CCMOM)™ program will be equipped to drive category profitability, improve product turnover, enhance supplier relationships, and create a consistent and engaging shopping experience. They will gain the expertise to align merchandising strategies with brand identity, respond to shifting market demands, and implement performance metrics that ensure operational and financial success in a dynamic retail environment.
Certification Program Objectives:
Upon completing the Certified Category & Merchandise Operations Professional/Manager (CCMOP)™/(CCMOM)™ program, participants will be able to:
- Master Category Management Principles – Develop and execute strategies that maximize category performance.
- Optimize Assortment Planning – Select and maintain product mixes that meet customer needs and drive sales.
- Leverage Retail Analytics – Use data to make informed decisions about pricing, promotions, and space allocation.
- Enhance Supplier Collaboration – Negotiate and manage supplier relationships for mutual benefit.
- Implement Merchandising Best Practices – Improve product placement, display, and in-store experience.
- Integrate Omni-channel Strategies – Align physical and digital merchandising for seamless customer journeys.
Certification Eligibility Criteria:
To apply for certification from The Operations Management Institute (OMI) candidates must meet the following criteria:
- A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution
And/or
- 0–4.9 years’ relevant experience for Professional level (CCMOP), or 5+ years for Manager level (CCMOM).
Note: Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree but possess exceptional professional experience and hold significant positions within their organizations in a relevant field may also be considered for certification on a case-by-case basis, subject to the approval of the OMI evaluation committee.
Certifying Examination:
- To be certified as CCMOP/CCMOM, student should take up a 1.5 hours online exam conducted by OMI.
- The qualifying exam would consist of 50 multiple choice questions, testing core certification modules.
- Professionals with relevant experience and other qualifying criteria may be exempted from the examination.
Certification Modules:
- Module 1: Fundamentals of Category & Merchandise Operations
- Module 2: Assortment Planning and Product Lifecycle Management
- Module 3: Pricing Strategies, Promotions, and Profitability Analysis
- Module 4: Supplier Management and Collaborative Planning
- Module 5: Merchandising Execution, Space Management, and Planograms
- Module 6: Omni-channel Merchandising and Retail Technology Integration
* The Certification Title and its modules are regularly reviewed, updated and may change in alignment with evolving industry needs and regulatory standards.
Who Should Do This Certification:
The CCMOP/CCMOM certification is valuable for:
- Category Managers and Merchandisers – Responsible for product mix and in-store execution.
- Retail Buyers and Planners – Managing purchasing decisions and supplier relationships.
- Store and Chain Managers – Overseeing multiple categories and store-wide merchandising.
- Product Managers – Aligning product strategies with customer needs and sales goals.
- E-commerce Merchandisers – Integrating online and offline product presentation.
- Retail Consultants – Advising clients on category performance and merchandising strategies.
- Business Owners – Enhancing product strategies to increase profitability.
Key Benefits of CCMOP / CCMOM Certification:
- Professional Recognition – Establishes credibility in category and merchandise operations.
- Career Advancement – Opens opportunities for senior retail and merchandising roles.
- Global Relevance – Applicable across multiple retail formats and markets.
- Operational Impact – Boost category sales, margin, and inventory efficiency.
- Practical Knowledge – Gain actionable skills for immediate application.
- Professional Network – Connect with retail and merchandising experts.
- Best Practice Alignment – Based on international retail operations standards.
The CCMOP/CCMOM certification is applicable across supermarkets, department stores, specialty retail, e-commerce platforms, and franchise operations. Whether your goal is to refine category strategy, improve merchandising execution, or strengthen supplier relationships, this program provides the tools and insights needed to excel in category and merchandise operations.
