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The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
CIPS exists to promote and develop high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in purchasing and supply chain management. It assists individuals, organisations and the profession as a whole.
CIPS is the leading body representing the field of purchasing and supply chain management. Established in 1932, the organisation has grown to become the central reference for industry best practice and its code of conduct is the standard around the world. In 1992, CIPS was awarded a Royal Charter in recognition of its status as a centre of excellence and support for the profession.
Vision
‘We will achieve universal recognition that excellence in purchasing and supply management is an imperative for responsible organisational success and hence the public good.’
Mission statement of CIPS
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply will fulfil the objectives of its Royal Charter, deliver value to its stakeholders and be recognised as a point of reference and authority. Specifically, it will:
• promote, represent and explain the business discipline and good practice of purchasing and supply management
• research, develop and endorse improved methods in purchasing and supply management
• assist all organisations in developing their capability in purchasing and supply management with the right strategies, processes, people and leadership
• support individuals in developing, demonstrating and qualifying in the profession of purchasing and supply management.
How CIPS operates
CIPS’s Royal Charter invests the governance of the institute in its members. The Charter invests the ‘government and control of the Institute and its affairs’ in a council which is the CIP’s senior governing body. The Charter also enshrines some key principles of democratic representation to ensure that members can have their say in the organisation’s strategy and operations.
The Council is composed entirely of corporate members both MCIPS and FCIPS, the majority of whom are directly elected by the organisation’s membership. It meets three times a year and elected members serve for a maximum of two three-year terms.
In addition to the elected members, The Council also includes the members of the Board of Management and four Honorary Officers. It is the most senior of these, the President, who presides at Council meetings.
The Council sets and steers CIPS’s strategic agenda and the Board of Management manages its operations. Its team at Easton House looks after the daily running of the organisation.
The CIPS’s governance ensures that it achieves its objectives whilst operating within the rules of the regulatory environment. It provides structure for efficient and ethical operations as well as facilitating clear accountability.
What CIPS does
As a professional body, CIPS exists to provide public benefit through:
Developing the ‘art and science’ of purchasing and supply
Developing the body of knowledge of the purchasing and supply management function underpins everything CIPS does and is fundamental to its long-term strategy. Its research programme helps to shape responses to tomorrow’s challenges by supporting vital academic research. Along with CIPS’ consultative work with some of the world’s leading organisations, this intelligence enables the organisation to visualise the future of leading-edge practice.
Continuously improving the professional standards of practitioners
A key aspect of CIPS’ remit is to promote and maintain high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity amongst all practitioners engaged in purchasing and supply management. It does this through its professional qualifications programme and associated membership standard, and by providing public access training programmes and a comprehensive range of learning resources. CIPS members are bound by a code of conduct and are encouraged to make a lifelong commitment to their own professional development.
Promoting excellence in organisations
Helping organisations achieve and maintain the highest standards, throughout their purchasing and supply management operations, contributes significantly to their effectiveness. CIPS supports organisations in a number of ways, from educating and training their staff, to improving their performance through assessment and accreditation of their purchasing and supply methods, and sharing of best practice between peer groups.
Representing the interests and views of individuals within the profession
CIPS represents the interests of the profession and the views of its members in many ways. The organisation’s special-interest groups are designed to encourage members to share their views and knowledge with the wider community. It is also directly involved in shaping UK Government and European Commission policy on procurement; CIPS’s consultative response process allows it to represent members’ views at the highest level.
Membership of CIPS
CIPS is well positioned to effectively serve the interests of all involved in purchasing and supply chain management. Membership can make an enormous contribution to both public and private sector businesses, delivering a tangible return on investment.
Membership recognises professional status and helps members to keep up to date with latest developments through a comprehensive range of courses, conferences and publications.
CIPS has a 45,000-strong network of professionally recognised and qualified members, including leading business people, professional managers and academics. This opens up a world of opportunities for members to fulfil their potential.
CIPS offers its members best practice updates, qualifications, training courses and seminars, and they can get access to its exclusive job opportunities.
CIPS offers seven different types of membership to cater for a wide range of professional and educational requirements. On applying to join, an applicant’s, qualifications, skills and experience will be considered by the organisation. This will allow it to recommend an entry membership grade that suits the applicant perfectly.
Training and events
CIPS provides an extensive range of training to suit purchasing and supply professionals at all levels. Its programs are geared towards helping deliver real strategic and sustainable value to organisations.
COPS maintains its leadership in purchasing and supply management training through:
• a constant development program
• links with academia and commerce
• high-quality program leaders.
The training courses in the organisation’s portfolio run on several dates throughout the year, so trainees can always find a date to suit them. Wherever trainees live in the UK, there will be a venue nearby. CIPS’s events and venues are tailored to trainees’ needs, taking into account any physical, sensory or other disabilities.
Education programs
Commitment to people development is central to CIPS’s education programs – ensuring that it offers a wide range of qualifications with supporting training programs, materials, textbooks and networks.
Its education programs provide opportunities at several levels to allow them to be pursued in the context of students’ broader business environment.
Training and development opportunities are available to applicants regardless of their location. There are currently more than 20,000 members studying for
CIPS qualifications
worldwide, which include:
• Level 2 Introductory Certificate in Purchasing and Supply
• Level 3 Certificate in Purchasing and Supply
• Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply
• Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply
• Level 6 Graduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply
• Level 7 Executive Diploma in Purchasing and Supply.
Professional resources
CIPS provides a wide variety of expertise, experience and intellectual resources to support purchasing and supply management activities, including:
• reference books and directories
• textbooks on purchasing and supply management, and other business disciplines
• relevant international journals
• feedback on current practice via practitioners on technical and specialist groups.
Contact CIPS
For more information, please call +44 (0)1780 756777, fax +44 (0)1780 751610 or e-mail info@cips.org . Alternatively, visit CIPS’s website .
