How has the CIPS qualification helped in your current role? (Eg. Understand the requirements of the role, know the terminology/techniques used, settle in quickly etc.)
The CIPS qualification has helped me build a better picture of the wider procurement environment spanning across multiple markets. CIPS helps me to structure my approach to everyday procurement, supporting the employment of various different purchasing techniques to meet the specific requirements of any given situation.
How has the CIPS qualification enhanced your career? (Eg. Helped you achieve that promotion, given you confidence in meetings/situations, helped you change career direction)
CIPS has helped open new doors for me. It has enhanced my existing skillset and has allowed me to build on my existing confidence levels when entering high profile negotiations. Prior to embarking on the CIPS qualification my work experience to date was all self-taught, so CIPS has helped me to formalise this by teaching me to compartmentalise various elements of my day to day work.
By doing this it enables me to focus on a more structured approach to procurement, which ultimately makes progress easier to achieve and has helped me to modernise the purchasing function at BAKO, although there is still much more work to do!
Having the CIPS qualification has undoubtedly increased my career prospects, with many more prospective employers today looking for candidates with a formal qualification in the purchasing discipline.
How has the training benefited your organisation? (improved moral, motivation of staff, staff feel valued, retention of staff, more flexibility, increased levels of skills, perhaps more ideas/problem solving?)
Having completed the CIPS qualification has brought a tangible benefit to my organisation. Society and indeed commerce as a whole has made significant progress towards modernisation in recent years, and as a consequence both buyers and sales personnel are more savvy today than they have ever been. As a result, it is vital that businesses employ modern tactics when undertaking procurement activities in order to achieve the absolute best terms possible whilst extracting maximum value from any individual transaction.
Fortunately, I have been able to utilise my skills to successfully negotiate many deals that have all brought a measurable and enhanced benefit to BAKO. It’s safe to say that the investment the company has made in my CIPS training has already paid them back many times over.
Can you describe a case where your CIPS skills and knowledge has contributed to the success of your organisation? (eg. Cost savings, increased efficiencies, improved relationships, innovation etc)
When I joined BAKO four years ago, the approach to purchasing was quite outdated. As such, we missed many opportunities to maximise the potential of our trading activity across a large portfolio of suppliers.
By applying CIPS theory and models, I was able to identify a number of key suppliers, and by utilising various supplier management techniques I was able to strategically manage our interactions and re-negotiate our trading terms. This led to better practises for both BAKO and its supplier base, and has allowed both parties to harness greater efficiencies that extend deeper into our respective organisations.
How do you feel about your experience studying with SR Supply Chain Consultants? (Eg. Customer service and support, keeping you up to date with the latest procurement updates, CIPS update, ease of booking, exam technique and revision tools and packs, supportive tutors)
SR Supply Chain Consultants are great! They are so much more than just a training organisation. From the initial contact, all the way through to sitting your final exams, SR Supply Chain Consultants make you feel as though you have a real identity.
The course delivery is often tailored to meet the needs of both the individual and the group, and supports the broad and varied learning needs of all students. The learning environment has always felt deeply engaging, and the support doesn’t end when you leave the classroom. From the tutors to the support staff behind the scenes, the entire team at SR Supply Chain Consultants have contributed to my success.
Would you recommend SR Supply Chain Consultants to a friend or colleague?
I’ve been fortunate enough to watch SR Supply Chain grow and develop over the past few years and it’s clear to me that the company’s leadership has a winning strategy. If you want to learn in an environment that is focused on not only your success, but on providing a unique and positive overall experience throughout your entire journey, then SR Supply Chain Consultants is the place to go. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to undertake my CIPS qualification with SR, and highly recommend others considering embarking on the CIPS qualification to do the same. Why not go along and try them out at one of their CIPS taster days?
