The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) is an international education and qualification body representing purchasing and supply chain professionals. It gained a Royal Charter in September 1992, the year of its Diamond Jubilee. It is the largest organisation of its kind in Europe and a central reference point worldwide on matters relating to purchasing and supply chain management. Its Professional Code of Ethics is the model for the international code and the domestic codes of many countries.

The Institute acts as a centre of excellence for the whole profession of purchasing and supply chain management. In particular, it works:

continuously to improve the professional standards of practitioners
to raise awareness of their contribution to corporate, national and international prosperity, and
to represent the interests of individuals within the profession

Qualifications:

Certificate and Advanced Certificate:
The Certificate programmes comprise five units, all of which are compulsory. It will particularly benefit those who are recent recruits to purchasing, procurement, stores control, contracts, logistics and distribution. Equally, if you have been working in these areas for some time but have never had an opportunity to take a course of study and gain a qualification, which contributes to your professional development, then this programme is a useful starting point.

Foundation Stage:
The Foundation Stage comprises six units, all of which are compulsory:

Professional Stage:
The Professional Stage comprises a possible 12 subjects. Eight subjects must be completed, comprising of four Core Subjects and any other four, at least one of which must be a Supply Chain Management Option.

Please browse CIPS's website for more detailed information: www.cips.org