Professional development

Talking apprenticeships: the pathway to procurement and supply success

5 September 2024

A lively debate about procurement and supply apprenticeships has been taking place among CIPS members. We explore how apprenticeships can enable career success. 

Rising star Rachel Willacy Empower others to increase productivity

17 October 2024

Rachel Willacy FCIPS joined procurement as a school leaver and says the way we communicate and manage others has never been more important.

FCIPS: Fellowship makes you take charge of your career

FCIPS has afforded Gaynor Smith invaluable connections and mentorship, and a chance to guest lecture at universities.

Rising star Kristina Andric: Procurement empowers you to ask questions

Kristina Andric, product sustainability director at Tetra Pak, made the exciting switch from working in procurement to leading sustainability. 

Be a businessperson – not a procurement person

To become true strategic enablers, procurement professionals need business acumen to drive real change and wider business success.

Ways to up your game: Lessons in procurement leadership

From keeping your hands dirty to remembering your humility – procurement leaders at Asda and Rolls-Royce share how to be a good manager.

Unlocking your full potential: 7 ways to be more than your job title

Discover the unconventional traits to master that will help you stand out as a procurement professional and drive change in your organisation. 

"The travel is killing me": Mastering work-life balance on the move

25 February 2024

Executive coach Juliet Sotnick shares strategies for work-life balance while travelling, emphasising sleep, boundaries, and self-care.

MCIPS gives you a voice and network

15 August 2024

Studying for MCIPS started off as a job requirement but has proven invaluable for career progression for category leader Justyna Philip.

MCIPS builds true resilience

25 July 2024

Procurement and sourcing professional Stephanie Laurent had a tough ride to achieving MCIPS but stuck with it and learnt an importance lesson: never give up!

Eight powerful ways to advance your procurement career

13 June 2024

From mastering negotiation to becoming a better storyteller, here are some top ways to drive forward your procurement career.

MCIPS: A route for strategic development

30 May 2024

Achieving MCIPS has turbo-charged strategic development for Salman Ahmad, senior sourcing manager for Avient Corporation.

MCIPS is an investment in your career

13 May 2024

Emirates senior supply chain and logistics manager Goutam Sharma found MCIPS has opened the door to opportunities in the UAE, including a recent job promotion.

What if I don’t want to manage people?

10 May 2024

Becoming a manager is not the only route to a fulfilling career. Here are some other options, as discussed on CIPS Connect. 

Top tips for FCIPS applications

15 April 2024

Ready to step up? Here’s what you need to know before submitting your FCIPS application, according to CIPS Fellows.

Which MCIPS route is best for me?

3 April 2024

It’s important to pick the right route to MCIPS, the globally recognised standard of procurement and supply excellence. Here are the options.

Out with the old, in with the new: leadership traits for 2024

28 March 2024

Experts explain how procurement and supply leaders must think and act differently in their roles to truly engage their teams and stakeholders. 

Seven tips to ace your procurement interview

18 February 2025

What seven ways can you ace your procurement and supply interview?

Have your say in the CIPS Procurement & Supply Salary Survey 2024

2 February 2024

Join thousands of global procurement professionals and help inform the 10th Edition of our Procurement & Supply Salary Guide.

Four traits bosses will expect of you in 2024

5 January 2024

What four skills are procurement heads looking for from the next generation of procurement and supply leaders?

The procurement personality: traits for success

1 December 2023

Procurement professionals often find themselves sidelined. Dial up these personality traits to secure your spot in crucial conversations.

Don't be administrative, be strategic

7 November 2023

Procurement and supply professionals often suffer from a lack of recognition. Here’s how to build your profile and influence – according to the experts.

How to boost your profile and influence [infographic]

3 November 2023

Procurement and supply professionals don’t generally have a high profile. But they should. It’s time to force-quit Excel and switch into presentation mode.

The importance of lifelong learning for procurement professionals

26 October 2023

In a rapidly changing world, keeping your knowledge and skills up to date has never been so important.

Why are soft skills so important for supply chain management jobs?

26 October 2023

As roles adapt to business trends, soft skills such as problem-solving and negotiation become crucial in supply chain management.

10 interview questions every buyer should know

26 October 2023

Learn some common questions for buyer interviews and how to answer them effectively, using the STAR technique and other tips.

The top ten skills needed for contract management

23 October 2023

Contract managers play a critical role in looking after each phase of a contract life cycle, so a mixture of technical and soft skills is important.

"If you don't speak up, how can your view be considered?"

23 October 2023

How do you build your internal profile as a procurement and supply professional? We talked to Kristina Andric, award-winning supplier manager at Tetra Pak.