What is CIPS?

What is CIPS?

CIPS stands for the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

What does CIPS do?

CIPS is an organisation representing the purchasing and supply profession. It provides services to businesses and professional purchasers, promotes procurement best practice and represents the interests of the purchasing profession to the government and the European Commission as well as in the wider business community.

What are CIPS qualifications?

CIPS also works to develop the skills and improve the knowledge of professional purchasers. To do this, they offer a series of professional procurement qualifications which have become the industry standard for professional buyers.

What jobs can I do with a CIPS qualification?

CIPS training is designed for anybody working in purchasing and supply. Here are some example job titles for which CIPS qualifications would be suitable:

  • Assistant Buyer
  • Junior Buyer
  • Buyer
  • Procurement Manager
  • Purchasing Manager
  • Purchasing Officer
  • Senior Buyer
  • Senior Purchasing Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Commodity Buyer
  • Head of Procurement
  • Head of Supply
  • Inventory Manager
  • Procurement Officer
  • Purchasing Executive
  • Supplier Manager
  • Supply Planner

How can CIPS Training help my career?

CIPS qualifications are the industry standard for anybody working in a purchasing and supply environment. Holding a CIPS qualification signifies your professional status, and shows employers that you are well-versed in purchasing best practice and have the knowledge and skills to benefit their business. For businesses, CIPS training helps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their staff, making their businesses more profitable and competitive.

Being CIPS qualified is a strong advantage when applying for purchasing jobs – in fact, many employers require that applicants for jobs in this area have or are working towards a CIPS qualification. Studies have also shown that being CIPS trained can increase your lifetime earning potential by over £80,000 .

What level of CIPS course should I start at?

The best level of CIPS training course to start with will depend on your level of work experience.

  • For people who have never worked in purchasing before, the CIPS Level 2 gives an overview of the part purchasing plays in a business.
  • For those who are working in their first purchasing role, the CIPS Level 3 develops the basic knowledge and skills a professional purchaser needs.
  • For those who have worked in a role where they have dealt with purchasing contracts and negotiation, the CIPS Level 4 develops more in depth knowledge.
  • For people with considerable experience in purchasing management, the CIPS Level 5 helps to develop management-level skills.
  • For those in senior purchasing management roles, the CIPS Level 6 develops strategic purchasing skills. On completion of Levels 4, 5, and 6, students can apply for the prestigious MCIPS status.