FCIPS: A route to honing leadership and advancing procurement excellence

Sachith Balage is a procurement specialist for Queensland Health (Queensland’s public health system). A business leader with a diverse background, he’s worked across the globe in manufacturing, retail and healthcare, and specialises in transforming procurement and supply chain strategies.

A finalist for the “Leader of the Year” award at the CIPS ANZ Excellence in Procurement & Supply Awards 2024, Sachith has been recognised for his leadership contributions to the profession and pursued FCIPS to strengthen his skills further.

Achieving fellowship has taught him many things including the power of networking and collaborating and the importance of evolving as a leader. Armed with a desire to pass on knowledge, he’s focused on sharing expertise and mentoring the next generation of procurement leaders to achieve excellence in the field.

What led you to want to work in procurement and supply?

“I was drawn to procurement and supply chain management because of its unique ability to influence business strategy,” says Sachith. He adds that this impact is especially evident in manufacturing, where “significant value is generated by converting raw materials into finished products”.

Sachith was also attracted to the people-oriented side of procurement, particularly the opportunity to collaborate with talented individuals and learn from them. “I’ve been fortunate to work for global brands with revenues around $1 billion, where I’ve had the opportunity to learn best practices, industry standards, and frameworks early on in my career, which has been invaluable in shaping my approach to procurement and supply chain operations.”

Why did you want to achieve FCIPS?

“I wanted to achieve FCIPS to strengthen my commitment to procurement and supply chain management and to acknowledge the growth I’ve experienced in this field,” says Sachith.

Earning chartered status was not only about validating his experience; it was also an opportunity to continue evolving, both professionally and as a leader.

“FCIPS represents high standards and ethical practices,” he says. “These are values that align with my own focus on excellence and contributing to the broader community.”

What big learnings have you taken from your journey to FCIPS?

Sachith’s journey has taught him the importance of continuous learning and staying adaptable in a constantly evolving field.

“Procurement and supply chain management are always changing, so embracing new ideas, technologies and strategies has been essential for my growth,” he says.

“I've also come to appreciate the power of networking and collaboration. Connecting with other professionals has expanded my perspective and shown me how to approach challenges with greater creativity and innovation.”

What does having chartered status mean to you and what motivates you to maintain it?

“Chartered status is a recognition of my expertise, dedication, and the journey I’ve taken in procurement and supply chain management,” says Sachith.

“It represents a commitment to maintaining high standards of knowledge, ethics, and leadership in the field, and is a reflection of my ongoing growth.”

What drives him to maintain his chartered status is the desire to stay ahead of industry trends, and to uphold high standards. His other big goal for maintaining it is to inspire others to pursue excellence.

“Maintaining [chartered status] strengthens my passion for mentoring and helping the procurement community thrive, knowing that my chartered status allows me to lead by example,” he adds.

What advice would you give to those with MCIPS who are thinking of applying for FCIPS?

Sachith encourages those considering FCIPS to see it as an opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

“FCIPS is more than just meeting qualifications, it’s about showing your leadership, your dedication to the profession, and your ability to make a meaningful impact in procurement and supply chain management,” he says.

His second piece of advice is to take time to reflect on your career and consider how you've contributed to the profession. Doing so, he says, will help you evaluate how you're maintaining the ethical standards and best practices essential for achieving FCIPS.

“Finally – keep challenging yourself and stay committed to learning, as this will help set you up for success,” he says.

We’d love to hear your FCIPS stories, please email us at editorial@cips.org

Take the next step in your career and achieve FCIPS today.