The new professional pathway is critical to the future evolution of the profession. CIPS explains how this fits with MCIPS and how to achieve it.
After nearly a year of consultation and debate, in October 2014, Her Majesty The Queen approved CIPS’ request for not only a name change for the institute (from purchasing to procurement) but also to allow CIPS to offer Chartered Status to its full members and fellows.
This was a significant moment in the history of CIPS – and certainly the most important since 1992 when the institute received its Royal Charter. This new development is set against a backdrop of challenges to the profession where procurement issues are being highlighted more than ever before – food fraud, modern-day slavery, supply chain risks in a global, more complex world – and something has to change.
Within 48 hours of the announcement, more than 500 people registered their interest in applying for the new status. Professionals themselves realise the challenges they now face, with changing market dynamics and competitive environments that are increasingly complex.
Managing demanding and high-dependency customer and supplier relationships is at the core of excellent supply chain development and the profession needs to be elevated further, and therefore requires an additional skills pathway, which hadn’t existed until now.
Chartered Status demonstrates a level of skill, ability and experience above MCIPS, which remains the globally-recognised professional standard for all procurement and supply professionals.
For some time there has been a recognisable need to offer a higher level of competence to reflect the changing demands being placed on the profession and the individuals within it. Global complexity of supply chains, increasingly challenging risks, scarcity of raw materials, environmental and economic volatility have all placed procurement and supply at the forefront of any organisation.
CIPS said in its Vision 80:20 document in 2012 that these changes meant that the skill set of procurement and supply professionals would need to continuously adapt to the environment. Chartered Status takes us on the start of that journey in to the future.
To individuals this new status demonstrates, at the highest levels, the professionalism and commitment they offer to their organisations and to their craft.
For employers, it signals a credibility that their senior procurement professionals possess the level of knowledge, technical skill and ability to deliver added value to the organisation; demonstrating strong leadership and influencing qualities.
A professional with Chartered Status will be able to understand institutional risk and contingency approaches in all parts of the organisation, how the supply chain affects innovation, and risk-sharing strategies throughout the business. They will lead procurement teams and have influence at board level as well as across supply markets by delivering innovative sourcing solutions. All these are challenges that higher-level individuals will be able to embrace.
Richard Masser, chairman of CIPS Global Board of Trustees, says: “We are able to take this profession to the next logical stage of its development. We can ensure that MCIPS and Chartered Status are the recognised levels of competence within professional procurement teams. We also want to make sure both individuals and organisations recognise the need for these suitably qualified people, which is why both are being positioned firmly as the professional licences for procurement.”
As David Noble, group CEO of CIPS, says: “The profession is currently experiencing many challenges and demands and keeping up with these developments requires the best professionals dedicated to maintaining their own professional status. This is a huge milestone reached in our journey and a fantastic outcome for our global membership,” he adds.
The minimum entry level is MCIPS or FCIPS. CIPS has developed three different routes to obtaining Chartered Status, offering choice and flexibility, as outlined below:
View the three routes to Chartered Status chart
Academic route
During 2015, CIPS will be accrediting MBA programmes with specialist procurement and supply management content with universities across CIPS’ global network.
Once the academic route is completed, an individual is eligible to apply for Chartered Status and will be subject to a viva-style interview.
Experiential route
Individuals will be required to complete a combination of an online competency assessment, followed by the completion of a series of personal statements demonstrating achievement and experience in specifically defined areas. This will then be followed by a viva-style interview.
Applied learning route
This route is for those who are taking part in a CIPS Master Practitioner programme. Once completed, an individual will be eligible to apply for Chartered Status.
All three routes are based on specific segments in the Advanced Professional competency level in the CIPS Global Standard. Candidates must have a minimum of three years’ post-MCIPS experience to apply for Chartered Status.
To maintain Chartered Status after the initial award, individuals will be required to complete Silver Status CPD (a minimum of 30 hours each year) and have an up-to-date certificate in CIPS Ethical Procurement and Supply.
In summary, it cannot be overestimated how important this development is for the profession and for global supply chains. It will help develop and promote innovative and progressive thinking around business framework practices encompassing all risk, legislation and policy requirements, and deliver all cross-functional stakeholder needs.
Professionals who hold this status will be the most sought-after talent and those who will take the profession beyond its current boundaries.
What do I do next?
Visit www.cips.org/charter for further information and details of how to apply.