CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply

The CIPS Professional Diploma in Procurement & Supply is a vocational qualification which has been designed to support Professionals working at or aspiring to senior managerial level roles within procurement and supply. Building on existing knowledge and skills, upon completion of the Professional Diploma you will be able to demonstrate strategic knowledge and leadership skills and find solutions to complex problems. Through your studies you will develop transferable workplace skills such as excellent communication and the ability to work in and lead a team. The ability to think strategically and lead ad influence policy and thinking are critical skills identified by employers as essential for progression, these abilities are explained and demonstrated throughout the Advanced Diploma. This is the final level of qualification for students working towards MCIPS Chartered Professional status.

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• Unrivalled support package available

• Fully flexible study options

• First class study materials and resources
• Structured, Constructive Tutor feedback
• Fully Accredited Professional Qualifications

Focusing on change management, stakeholder management and team leadership, the CIPS Professional Diploma consists of four compulsory units. As well as this, you are required to choose three additional, optional units so you can shape your studies around your current interests and career goals.

Compulsory units

Strategic Ethical Leadership (12 Credits)

Globalisation and the ever changing markets in which organisations operate require effective leaders who are able to think and act in a strategic manner. This is particularly true for those who lead the procurement and supply function ensuring that it makes a positive contribution to overall organisational success. Strategic Leadership is the ability to make and communicate decisions that enhance the prospects for the organisation’s long-term success while maintaining long-term financial stability.

This module is designed for those professionals who are expected to deliver effective and efficient procurement and supply. It emphasises the leadership skills and behaviours required for the achievement of the objectives and improvements sought by the organisation and enables students to understand the influence that ethical practices and standards have to play in their decision making.

Global Commercial Strategy (12 Credits)

The global agenda is becoming more and more prevalent in organisational success. As organisations increase overseas development, investment and sourcing, business leaders are called upon to formulate and implement global commercial strategies.

This module is designed for professional procurement and supply chain leaders and takes as its focus the development; configuration and implementation of global commercial strategy to enable such leaders to help organisations achieve competitive advantage.

Global Strategic Supply Chain Management (12 Credits)

One of the significant impacts of globalisation has been a marked increase in the complexity of the supply chain and associated networks. These challenges require procurement and supply leaders to develop and lead modern day supply chains and understand the vital role that they have in the overall success of corporate and business strategy.

This module is designed for such professionals as it focuses on the development, implementation, monitoring and optimisation of global supply chains and on the strategic influence of such chains on the achievement of competitive advantage.

Future Strategic Challenges for the Profession (6 Credits)

The volatile global environment poses a threat to traditional concepts of international trade and presents strategic challenges to the procurement and supply function and profession. Strategic procurement and supply leaders require knowledge of the present challenges for their function and profession, and must be able to look ahead to prepare themselves for the future strategic challenges that they will undoubtedly be faced with.

This final module for those learners studying on the CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply is designed to challenge professional procurement and supply leaders to look ahead and to identify and consider ways to address the future strategic challenges that they and their professionals will face.v

Elective units

Strategic Programme Leadership (6 Credits)

Major programmes are a key element in any organisational strategy, hence the successful leadership of them is a significant contributor to overall success.

This module is designed for those procurement and supply professionals who will be expected to develop and lead the implementation and monitoring of contracts from the strategic standpoint requiring a practical knowledge of the associated issues and approaches to programme and project control.

Commercial Data Management (6 Credits)

Until recently big data was seen as a technical issue that had to be addressed; however, organisations now view it as a business opportunity that can significantly contribute to competitive advantage and are now exploiting big data in all of its forms to discover facts that they did not know before. Given this propensity for data and the associated gathering and storage activity, supply chain cyber security is now a key requirement.

This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who require clear knowledge of the concept of big data and of the impact of data integrity and cyber security.

Innovation in Procurement and Supply (12 Credits)

To support organisational success procurement and supply has a significant role to play in influencing strategic suppliers to adopt innovative approaches and to continue to develop. Professional procurement and supply leaders are therefore expected to identify areas which offer the opportunity to improve and innovate and to lead and implement the associated processes.

This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who require a clear knowledge of tools and techniques available to them to achieve improvement and innovation as well as an appreciation of the environmental factors which affect such initiatives.

Supply Network Design (6 Credits)

Organisations are part of an interconnected network of other businesses and organisations; termed as the supply network. At a strategic level the design and leadership of such networks is crucial to the effectiveness and efficiency of the associated supply chains, it is the operations processes which form a fundamental element of an organisation’s strategic advantage. If materials and/ or information are to flow smoothly through the supply network and add value as a result, effective resource planning and control are essential.

This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who require knowledge and understanding of the strategic supply network concepts, its configuration and influence and be able to assess the impact of operational strategy and resource planning and control.

Global Logistics Strategy (6 Credits)

Globalisation generates significant opportunities as well as increased risks for organisations. This means that global logistics strategy, the flow of resources and information between a business or source and the consumer is regarded as a key element of organisational success. Personnel responsible for leading and developing global logistics strategy are seen as significant contributors to competitive advantage and overall business success.

This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who are responsible for global logistics strategy who require knowledge and understanding of the associated challenges, governance and requirements for successful strategic implementation.

A CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply will equip you with the skills and knowledge to drive your organisation forward. Whether you are working as a head of department or senior procurement professional, a CIPS Level 6 qualification will allow you to formalise your skills and advance your industry knowledge. This will also draw you closer to achieving the prestigious MCIPS status; a title that can benefit both your professional reputation and your salary.

You can enrol on this course if you work within a senior managerial role, have a level 5 qualification or higher, or you have relevant experience.