We caught up with Hayley Bradford, a procurement professional who has successfully completed the CIPS Level 4 Diploma and is awaiting the final results for the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma. Throughout her time studying, she has worked her way up the ranks within the procurement industry. We spoke with Hayley to find out how gaining her CIPS qualifications has helped her accelerate her career. 

Hi Hayley, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. I understand you have been working in procurement since leaving school and have progressed your way up, and have recently accepted a job opportunity as a procurement manager. Could you tell us a bit about how you first got into procurement?

I was working for Caterpillar in finance when a job opportunity became available internally within the indirect purchasing team. The role was a purchasing admin role supporting the buyers and I was mainly responsible for requesting quotations and processing orders, dealing with invoice queries, and chasing suppliers for delivery. I was then given the opportunity to work on cost-saving projects and assisting with supplier and contract management.

That’s great! And since your first role at Caterpillar as an Order Analyst, what roles have you progressed into to get you where you are today?

I’ve had several roles since leaving Caterpillar, the first one being a very similar role but for the NHS which was my first step into public procurement and understanding the regulations. 

Following this, I joined CPI as a buyer, and I was responsible for completing tender exercises and purchasing for funded projects.  

I left CPI to join Thirteen Housing Group as a category manager, I was responsible for completing above threshold tenders, monitoring supplier risk, and supporting contract management. Most of my role at Thirteen was spent developing a contract management system and assisting with underperforming contracts. 

My current role is at Gentoo Group as procurement business partner, I am responsible for several areas of the business, partnering with them to develop a strategic procurement plan that best meets their requirements whilst also ensuring we are compliant with the regulations. I assist with the contract management, supplier management and deliver training throughout the organisation. 

I have recently been offered a procurement manager role in another organisation, which is another step up in my career. The only role higher than this would be head of procurement, which is something I will work for when the time is right. For now, I am looking forward to starting my new role and managing my team, which I think will very rewarding.  

I understand you decided to study CIPS to help with your career progression, at what point in your career did you decide to begin studying? And why did you choose to study CIPS over another procurement-related qualification?

I started studying CIPS Level 4 when I started at the NHS (around 4 and half years ago). I did this as I wanted career progression and realised when I changed jobs that without a qualification it would take me a lot longer to get my dream role, so may as well start straight away! 

As I was browsing job roles, I noticed they often required a procurement qualification. I chose CIPS mainly due to the flexibility it offered in terms of the different methods of studying and the various support options available. The syllabus covered the topics I was wanting to explore more of, and it was great knowing I could do it alongside my job without having to attend college lectures 3 times a week after work but still being able to access support. 

What have you enjoyed the most about CIPS? 

Both levels have been totally relevant to the jobs I was doing at the time of studying levels 4 and 5. I really enjoyed the broad range of topics it covers and being able to take this knowledge back into my workplace knowing I’m adding value to my team and the wider organisation. It also helped me to think more strategically when making sourcing decisions and really helped me to understand the external factors which can impact on procurement, which has never been more relevant than today’s climate.  

Do you think the CIPS qualifications have helped to get you to where you are today?

100% – yes! If it wasn’t for CIPS Level 4, I do not believe I would have been successful in being appointed the roles of buyer or category manager, the syllabus was entirely relevant to the work I was doing every day. 

As soon as I finished Level 4, I started Level 5 and again I believe this helped secure my role as business partner for Gentoo and also helped in securing my new role as procurement manager. The syllabus has been entirely relevant to the requirements of my current role and I look forward to taking what I have learnt and expanding on it in my new role.  

As a hiring manager I would be looking for someone already on their CIPS journey, or who would be willing to start CIPS if they were successful. 

I understand you have successfully completed CIPS Level 4 Diploma and are waiting for your final marks for Level 5 Advanced Diploma. Do you plan to progress onto Level 6 Professional Diploma in future?

Yes, I’m taking a small break after 4 and a half years of studying and I’m going to allow myself to settle into my new role then I will be starting CIPS Level 6! 

Thank you for taking the time to discuss your career progression with us Hayley, we wish you all the best in your new procurement manager role, we’re sure you’re going to do great!