Purchasing & Supply Management Training and Certification
Established in 1932, Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) is the leading body representing the field of purchasing and supply chain management. In 1992 the institute was awarded a Royal Charter in recognition of the status as a centre of excellence and support for the profession.
A key aim of CIPS is to promote and maintain high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all practitioners engaged in purchasing and supply management. This is done through the professional qualifications program and associated membership standard, and by providing public access training programs and a comprehensive range of learning resources.
The members are bound by a code of ethics and are encouraged to make a lifelong commitment to their own professional development. CIPS are also the custodians of the National Occupational Standards in Supply Chain Management. The institute research program helps to shape responses to tomorrow’s challenges by supporting vital academic research.
Along with the consultative work with some of the world’s leading organizations, this intelligence enables the institute to visualize the future of leading edge practice. The CIPS/Hays Salary Guide reveals procurement professionals at tactical levels earn on average 29% more if they are CIPS members.
Certification & Training Programs
Professional Recognitions
- MCIPS Chartered Professional: On successful completion of the CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply and three years’ relevant experience and an up-to-date CIPS Ethics certificate, students can apply to upgrade to MCIPS chartered professional. Gain recognition for your commitment to your career by signifying your professionalism and proficiency in procurement and supply. A MCIPS must have completed all the requirements plus 30 hours CPD and a current CIPS Ethics Certificate.
- CIPS Level 7 Executive Diploma in Procurement and Supply: A chartered professional with the Executive Diploma (ExDip) is likely to be in a procurement leadership role. They will have board level influence and deliver innovative sourcing solutions across a diverse range of markets. ExDip offers a higher professional standard than MCIPS Chartered Professional, this is defined by the competencies of the Advanced Professional level of the Global Standard. Those with ExDip will have demonstrated excellence through a program of learning or through experience to postgraduate degree level.
- CIPS Fellows (FCIPS): Having been awarded Fellowship you are entitled to use the post nominals FCIPS. FCIPS recognizes you as a procurement leader and make you eligible for a range of strategic senior roles not only in procurement and supply but also in commercial and operations. CIPS Fellows are in demand by the biggest names in the FTSE 100 and many of them currently hold CPO roles in the largest organizations in the world. Potential Fellows must be and must also be at least Chief Procurement Officers and senior procurement professionals OR Leading procurement consultants and academics.
CIPS CPD
- CPD is central to CIPS Chartered Status recognition, highlighting the importance placed on the professional development of members. CIPS Chartered Status is only available to MCIPS and FCIPS members who have an up-to-date CPD record and have a current CIPS Ethical Procurement and Supply Certificate. Details of members who have completed their CPD and secured Chartered Professional Status, will be displayed on the CIPS Professional Register
- Being a CIPS member demonstrates a commitment to the procurement and supply profession but additional CPD evidences that your knowledge and skills are up-to-date.
- Whether you are a Studying Member, Affiliate, Associate, MCIPS or Fellow, whether you are studying, working full or part-time, or undertaking a career-break, CIPS CPD supports your career progression.
- CPD is not mandatory for MCIPS or FCIPS members unless you wish to apply for and maintain Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional status.
CIPS Professional Programs
- Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations: The ideal qualification if you're just starting your career in procurement or if procurement and supply are part of your role. Joining a CIPS qualification programme means you will join the largest Institute in the world for those working in procurement and supply.
- Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations: This qualification is designed for those in an operational role who need the capability to carry out procurement and supply tasks. You will develop the knowledge to understand demand management, arrange supply logistics and implement new contracts.
- Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply: A valuable management tool for those moving into junior and middle management procurement roles or those supervising the procurement function.
- Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply: Provides senior buyers, contract and supply chain managers with the expertise to improve organisational procurement and to fulfil organisational objectives.
- Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply: Aimed at senior procurement professionals and heads of department. On successful completion of the Diploma, Advanced and Professional diplomas along with 3 years' experience in a position of responsibility in procurement and supply you will be awarded MCIPS status.
- Entry Requirements for the above programs: Before you start your studies you should consider what level on the ladder is appropriate for you, based on your education and experience. There are no entry requirements for the Certificate & Advanced Certificate programs. To start the diploma program, you should have at least two A-levels (or international equivalent) or CIPS Advanced Certificate. For professional diploma, you will need to have achieved the CIPS Advanced diploma in procurement and supply.
CIPS Accredited Degrees and Programs Route
- Undergraduate and Masters Degrees: Routes to MCIPS through Accredited University degrees (including undergraduate and Masters degrees)
- CIPS Accredited MBAs: routes to Chartered status for MCIPS or FCIPS members through Accredited University MBA programs
- Exemptions from CIPS Qualifications: Routes to exemptions from CIPS qualifications from a number of other organizations.
Corporate Award Programs
- Practitioner (Equivalent to the CIPS Level 4 Diploma - Operational Level) (12 months): This level develops a robust understanding of, and capability in, the procurement essentials and is a route to CIPS Diploma membership. There is no entry criteria.
- Advanced Practitioner (18 months): Advanced Practitioner builds procurement professionalism to deliver greater organizational value and reduce risk and is a route to MCIPS membership. Broadly equivalent to the Advanced & Professional Diploma and leads to MCIPS on completion. Must hold a CIPS Diploma or pass a Skills Assessment
- Master Practitioner - ExDip Status (24 months): Postgraduate Diploma level program. This program builds strong, strategic leaders in procurement and supply who will become key influencers, not just changing the way their organizations work but also impacting the markets, supply chains, wider sector and communities in which they operate. Must be MCIPS/ FCIPS Chartered Professional.
Management Entry Route (MER)
- Management Entry Route (Experiential Route): The Management Entry Route (MER) is designed for procurement professionals who are already operating in a senior strategic role within procurement or supply chain management with extensive on-the-job experience. The first step to starting MER is to join CIPS as an Affiliate Member. Once you are a member you can begin your Management Entry Route (MER) application.
CIPS Short Courses
PROCUREMENT
- Introduction to procurement and category management
- Introduction to public sector procurement
- Delivering social value
- Modern Slavery Act
- Modern slavery awareness
- Sustainable procurement
- Category management
- Strategic sourcing and tendering
- Achieving value through effective procurement and supply chain management
- Commodity management
- Financial management for the supply chain
SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS
- Forecasting techniques and inventory management
- Risk and resilience in the supply chain
NEGOTIATION & INFLUENCING
- Introduction to negotiation
- Effective negotiation
- Advanced negotiation
LEGAL, CONTRACTS & CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
- Introduction to contracts
- Introduction to contract management
- Commercial approach™ to cloud service agreement
- Commercial approach™ to software agreement - essentials
- Commercial approach™ to software agreement – advanced
- Contract management
- Developing contracts
- TUPE and its impact on procurement
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP
- Supplier relationship management
- The art and science of selling (residential)
- Consultancy skills for procurement and supply
- Leadership approaches and behaviors
- Leading and influencing strategic transformation
- Leading procurement strategy program