Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply (Level-6)
Your qualification
The CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply is for those who want to specialise in a specific occupation, occupational area or technical role. It represents the final level of qualification required by those who are working towards MCIPS Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional, which is recognised worldwide as the professional standard for procurement and supply practitioners. Building on the knowledge and skills learned at the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply. This qualification supports individuals who are working at or aspiring to the Professional level of the CIPS Global Standard for Procurement and Supply. It is designed for experienced members of the profession who are expected to lead procurement teams within an organisation and influence the board to adopt leading-edge procurement strategies thereby establishing best practice.
Who is it for?
For those who are successful in completing the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply; this represents the final level of CIPS qualifications for those working towards MCIPS Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional.
What will I learn?
You will be able to demonstrate strategic knowledge and leadership skills and find solutions to complex problems. It is designed to develop transferable workplace skills such as excellent communication and the ability to work in and lead a team. Employers have identified that the ability to think strategically and lead and influence policy and thinking are essential for progression.You will gain an understanding of different perspectives and theories and will be able to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate complex information, concepts and ideas.
Entry requirements
You will need to have achieved CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply.
Get Started your career track with the Certificate in Procurement and supply Operations.
Diploma Modules and Content
Strategic Ethical Leadership [L6M1]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to critically evaluate leadership skills and behaviours required to achieve organisational and stakeholder commitment to strategic improvements and change and also appreciate ethical practices, standards and regulations that impact on the procurement and supply function.
Module aim(s)
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.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand and apply leadership skills and behaviours that are appropriate for strategically improving the procurement and supply chain function
– Critically evaluate the differences between leadership and management
– Critically analyse approaches to leadership for improving procurement and supply chain management
– Critically analyse approaches to leadership for improving procurement and supply chain management
2- Understand and apply communication planning techniques and analyse their influence on individuals involved in the supply chain
– Identify the common terms that describe aspects of procurement and supply
– Explain the roles and benefits of procurement and supply in organisations
– Define components of a supply chain
– Explain the roles and benefits of procurement and supply in organisations
– Define components of a supply chain
3- Understand and apply methods to overcome leadership challenges faced by procurement and supply chain managers
– Contrast the sources of power and how they can be used to overcome common challenges faced by procurement and supply chain leaders
– Analyse how equality and diversity issues relating to the supply chain can be used to improve strategic effectiveness
– Evaluate methods of change management that can be used to develop the supply chain
– Assess methods for resolving conflict with internal and external stakeholders to support change in the supply chain
– Analyse how equality and diversity issues relating to the supply chain can be used to improve strategic effectiveness
– Evaluate methods of change management that can be used to develop the supply chain
– Assess methods for resolving conflict with internal and external stakeholders to support change in the supply chain
4- Understand and apply ethical practices, standards and regulations that impact on the procurement and supply function
– Examine ethical practices and standards that apply to global supply chains
– Assess regulations that impact on the ethical employment of people
– Assess regulations that impact on the ethical employment of people
Global Commercial Strategy [L6M2]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to evaluate the concept of commercial global strategy and assess the challenges and main elements associated with the formulation and implementation of a commercial strategy and understand the impact of finance on strategic decision making.
Module aim(s)
The global agenda is becoming more and more prevalent in organisational success. As organisations increase overseas development, investment and sourcing, business leaders are 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.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand and apply leadership skills and behaviours that are appropriate for strategically improving the procurement and supply chain function
– Critically evaluate the differences between leadership and management
– Critically analyse approaches to leadership for improving procurement and supply chain management
– Critically analyse approaches to leadership for improving procurement and supply chain management
2- Understand and apply communication planning techniques and analyse their influence on individuals involved in the supply chain
– Identify the common terms that describe aspects of procurement and supply
– Explain the roles and benefits of procurement and supply in organisations
– Define components of a supply chain
– Explain the roles and benefits of procurement and supply in organisations
– Define components of a supply chain
3- Understand and apply methods to overcome leadership challenges faced by procurement and supply chain managers
– Contrast the sources of power and how they can be used to overcome common challenges faced by procurement and supply chain leaders
– Analyse how equality and diversity issues relating to the supply chain can be used to improve strategic effectiveness
– Evaluate methods of change management that can be used to develop the supply chain
– Assess methods for resolving conflict with internal and external stakeholders to support change in the supply chain
– Analyse how equality and diversity issues relating to the supply chain can be used to improve strategic effectiveness
– Evaluate methods of change management that can be used to develop the supply chain
– Assess methods for resolving conflict with internal and external stakeholders to support change in the supply chain
4- Understand and apply ethical practices, standards and regulations that impact on the procurement and supply function
– Examine ethical practices and standards that apply to global supply chains
– Assess regulations that impact on the ethical employment of people
– Assess regulations that impact on the ethical employment of people
Global Commercial Strategy [L6M2]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to evaluate the concept of commercial global strategy and assess the challenges and main elements associated with the formulation and implementation of a commercial strategy and understand the impact of finance on strategic decision making.
Module aim(s)
The global agenda is becoming more and more prevalent in organisational success. As organisations increase overseas development, investment and sourcing, business leaders are 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.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand and apply the concept of commercial global strategy in organisations
– Evaluate characteristics of global strategic decisions in organisations
2-Understand and apply tools and techniques to address the challenges of global supply chains
– Assess methods to analyse the global supply chain
– Evaluate the regulatory influences on the global supply chain
– Evaluate the regulatory influences on the global supply chain
3- Understand strategy formulation and implementation
– Evaluate how corporate and business strategic decisions impact on supply chains
– Evaluate how organisational strategy can be implemented in supply chains
– Analyse the relationship between strategy and corporate, business and functional structures in organisations
– Analyse the management of resources to support the development and implementation of strategy
– Evaluate how organisational strategy can be implemented in supply chains
– Analyse the relationship between strategy and corporate, business and functional structures in organisations
– Analyse the management of resources to support the development and implementation of strategy
4-Understand financial aspects that affect procurement and supply
– Assess how costs and finance can impact on supply chains
– Evaluate methods for managing the volatility of currencies in supply chains
– Analyse methods for managing the volatility of commodities in supply chains
– Evaluate methods for managing the volatility of currencies in supply chains
– Analyse methods for managing the volatility of commodities in supply chains
Global Strategic Supply Chain Management [L6M3]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to evaluate the influence of strategic supply chain management and assess the methods which are available to measure, improve and optimise supply chain performance.
Module aim(s)
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.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand how strategic supply chain management can support corporate business strategy
– Assess the relationship between functional, business and corporate levels of strategy
– Evaluate the contribution of strategic supply chain management
– Evaluate the impact of market change on strategic supply chain management
– Contrast approaches to develop and implement strategic relationship management
– Evaluate the contribution of strategic supply chain management
– Evaluate the impact of market change on strategic supply chain management
– Contrast approaches to develop and implement strategic relationship management
2-Understand and apply supply chain design tools and techniques
– Compare approaches to segmentation
– Assess approaches to developing networked supply chains – Assess the role of distribution systems – Evaluate ways to achieve lean and agile supply chains
– Assess approaches to developing networked supply chains – Assess the role of distribution systems – Evaluate ways to achieve lean and agile supply chains
3-Understand and apply techniques to achieve effective strategic supply chain management
– Evaluate approaches to developing and implementing supply chain collaboration
– Evaluate approaches to change management when working with stakeholders
– Analyse approaches to measuring supply chain performance
– Analyse how the development of knowledge and skills can help achieve effective strategic supply chain management
– Evaluate approaches to change management when working with stakeholders
– Analyse approaches to measuring supply chain performance
– Analyse how the development of knowledge and skills can help achieve effective strategic supply chain management
4- Understand and apply methods to measure, improve and optimise supply chain performance
– Evaluate the impact of the supply chain on corporate performance
– Assess methods to measure supply chain performance
– Assess methods to improve and optimise supply chain performance
– Assess tools and techniques that are available to help the organisation to achieve strategic fit
– Assess the challenges to achieving and maintaining strategic fit
– Assess methods to measure supply chain performance
– Assess methods to improve and optimise supply chain performance
– Assess tools and techniques that are available to help the organisation to achieve strategic fit
– Assess the challenges to achieving and maintaining strategic fit
Future Strategic Challenges for the Profession [L6M4]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to evaluate the changing needs and requirements for the procurement and supply function and assess the future challenges for the profession.
Module aim(s)
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 prepare themselves for the future strategic challenges that they will undoubtedly be faced with. This module is designed to challenge procurement and supply leaders to look ahead and to consider the future strategic challenges for them and their profession.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand the changing needs and requirements for procurement and supply
– Assess what the future strategic procurement and supply function will look like
– Contrast the future skills and expectations of strategic procurement and supply leaders
– Contrast the influence of emerging business and markets on the procurement and supply function
– Contrast the future skills and expectations of strategic procurement and supply leaders
– Contrast the influence of emerging business and markets on the procurement and supply function
2- Understand the future challenges for the procurement and supply profession
– Evaluate the emerging role and influence of innovation and technology on the profession
– Assess the changing boundaries and shape of the profession
– Evaluate future challenges for the profession
– Assess the changing boundaries and shape of the profession
– Evaluate future challenges for the profession
Strategic Programme Leadership [L6M5]
Module purpose
On completion of this module learners will be able to assess contracting requirements and approaches to the leadership of major strategic programmes, and evaluate the role that organisational culture has to play on achieving overall success.
Module aim(s)
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 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 control.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand contracting for programmes
– Compare contracting options for programmes
– Evaluate contract forms for programmes
– Assess the use of pricing mechanisms for programmes
– Contrast methods of investment appraisal for programmes
– Assess the implications of programme closure on the supply chain
– Evaluate contract forms for programmes
– Assess the use of pricing mechanisms for programmes
– Contrast methods of investment appraisal for programmes
– Assess the implications of programme closure on the supply chain
2- Understand programme leadership approaches
– Assess approaches to strategic cost management for programmes
– Analyse the use of financial and management information on the performance of programmes
– Analyse the impact of programme performance on the supply chain
– Analyse the use of financial and management information on the performance of programmes
– Analyse the impact of programme performance on the supply chain
3-Understand the role of culture on achieving programme success
– Critically assess the concept of organisational culture
– Analyse the influence of national culture on programme success
– Analyse tools and techniques which support cultural change
– Analyse the influence of national culture on programme success
– Analyse tools and techniques which support cultural change
Commercial Data Management [L6M7]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to assess the concept of big data and evaluate the impact of data integrity and cyber security on the procurement
and supply function.
and supply function.
Module aim(s)
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 a clear knowledge of the concept of big data and of the impact of data integrity and cyber security.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand the concept of big data in the global supply chain
– Evaluate the term big data and the historic rise of its importance to the procurement and supply function
– Evaluate the need for big data and the diversity of data sources and types
– Evaluate the need for big data and the diversity of data sources and types
2-Understand data integrity and its impact on procurement and supply
– Evaluate the requirement for integrity and confidentiality of data
– Assess the implications of data disruption on the organisation
– Evaluate international laws and standards which govern data integrity and security
– Assess the implications of data disruption on the organisation
– Evaluate international laws and standards which govern data integrity and security
3-Understand the impact of cyber security on procurement and supply
– Evaluate the term cyber security and its implications
– Assess data security technologies and their usage in the supply chain
– Assess data security technologies and their usage in the supply chain
Innovation in Procurement and Supply [L6M8]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to evaluate techniques for supplier development and innovation in procurement and supply and appraise the environmental factors which should be considered when applying such methods.
Module aim(s)
In order 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 the tools and techniques which are available to them to achieve improvement and innovation as well as an appreciation of the environmental factors which affect such initiatives.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand techniques for supplier development
– Assess cross functional working to achieve improvements in the supply chain
– Evaluate techniques to promote the development of innovation in procurement and supply
– Contrast the developments in technology that can be applied to promote improvements in supply chains
– Evaluate the use of relationship assessment for supplier development
– Evaluate techniques to promote the development of innovation in procurement and supply
– Contrast the developments in technology that can be applied to promote improvements in supply chains
– Evaluate the use of relationship assessment for supplier development
2-Understand methods to achieve procurement and supply improvement and innovation
– Evaluate where technology can be used to improve procurement and supply
– Evaluate tools and techniques which are available to improve procurement and supply
– Assess methods to incentivise improvement and innovation
– Evaluate tools and techniques which are available to improve procurement and supply
– Assess methods to incentivise improvement and innovation
3-Understand the environmental factors which affect supply chain improvement and innovation
– Assess approaches to environmentally sensitive design
– Assess the impact of green procurement on improvement and innovation
– Assess the impact of green procurement on improvement and innovation
Supply Network Design [L6M9]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to evaluate the strategic nature, influence and contribution of supply network design and operations to overall business strategy and assess the strategic value of resource planning and control.
Module aim(s)
Every organisation is part of a wider interconnected network of other businesses and organisations; this is termed 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 to organisational success. This module is designed for procurement and supply leaders who require knowledge and understanding of the concept of the strategic supply network, its configuration and influence and be able to assess the impact of operational strategy and resource planning and control.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand the strategic nature and influence of supply network design
– Assess the meaning of supply network design and the influence that it has on the organisation
– Evaluate how a strategic supply chain network should be configured
– Assess the influence of capacity on strategic supply chain design
– Evaluate how a strategic supply chain network should be configured
– Assess the influence of capacity on strategic supply chain design
2-Understand operations strategy and its contribution to overall business success
– Assess the meaning of operations strategy and the impact that it has on the organisation
– Evaluate the key elements of an operations strategy
– Assess the role of improvement in operations strategy
– Evaluate the key elements of an operations strategy
– Assess the role of improvement in operations strategy
3-Assess the strategic value of resource planning and control
– Evaluate the concept of strategic resource planning and control
– Assess the key elements of a resource strategic planning and control system
– Contrast methods of monitoring and controlling the strategic operation
– Assess the key elements of a resource strategic planning and control system
– Contrast methods of monitoring and controlling the strategic operation
Global Logistics Strategy [L6M10]
Module purpose
On completion of this module, learners will be able to assess the strategic logistical implications of globalisation and evaluate global governance of the supply chain
and the concept of reverse logistics.
and the concept of reverse logistics.
Module aim(s)
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 and who require knowledge and understanding of the associated challenges, governance and requirements for successful strategic implementation.
Learning outcomes, assessment criteria and indicative content(s)
1- Understand the strategic logistical implications of globalisation
– Evaluate the logistics challenges that globalisation presents
– Assess the structure of a global strategic logistics and supply chain network
– Assess the strategic logistical risks of globalisation and the associated responses
– Assess the structure of a global strategic logistics and supply chain network
– Assess the strategic logistical risks of globalisation and the associated responses
2-Understand global governance of the supply chain
– Contrast the strategic influences on globalised supply chain governance
– Assess the impact of international legislation on the globalised supply chain
– Assess the impact of international legislation on the globalised supply chain
3-Understand the concept of reverse logistics and its impact on global logistics strategy
– Assess the concept and requirements of reverse logistics
– Assess the strategic factors which influence reverse logistics
– Contrast factors that influence strategic reverse logistics
– Compare factors which affect the implementation of reverse logistics strategy
– Assess the strategic factors which influence reverse logistics
– Contrast factors that influence strategic reverse logistics
– Compare factors which affect the implementation of reverse logistics strategy