2024 GLOBAL SRM RESEARCH REPORT
18
A collaboration between State of Flux and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply aims to improve access to vital training Partnership provides skills boost
Alison Barto , Sustainablity Leader, Non-Executive Director & Chair, CIPS
Delivery partnership The core objective of this
State of Flux and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) have entered into a ground- breaking collaboration to work together to develop the capability of the procurement and supply profession globally. The expert supplier management consultancy and CIPS, the global membership body for procurement and supply professionals, signed the Memorandum of Understanding in November 2023. The core objective is to amplify market access to training, specifically focusing on driving participation in supplier relationship management (SRM) training and CIPS professional certification. “Education is our cornerstone at State of Flux. Teaming up with CIPS is a natural step because, for us, fostering a knowledgeable procurement community is not just a goal – it’s our DNA,” said Alan Day, CEO and Founder, State of Flux. Phil Broughton, General Manager, CIPS Americas, said: “We are looking forward to working with State of Flux to help us to develop the range of support we can offer to our clients.” Making a difference Both bodies recognise the need to improve the skill-set of the procurement and supply profession. AI and automation are set to replace a lot of manual processes and analytical work, but managing relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders will still rely on the skills of individuals.
“With AI expected to be increasingly capable of picking up certain work, humans will be left to do what can’t be automated – such as building networks and developing relationships. This is the bit that can’t be replaced and it is critical because relationships will be the differentiator and the gap is growing,” says CIPS chair Alison Barto. “People assume that supplier relationship management skills come naturally, but that’s true for very few, most people have to work at it and continue to develop it. “Working in a partnership with suppliers is like a marriage, you’ve got to understand you’re building a long-term relationship and the right training can help people develop the skills they need to succeed,” she adds. Day advises that businesses revise role descriptions to ensure they reflect what their organisation expects supplier management to deliver. They should also assess where there are gaps in the skills and competencies required, and ensure correct training is given to those who need it. “People development should be a structured and systematic process that provides a clear pathway for practitioners to achieve the level of capability required to support their organisations with their objectives. It’s unrealistic for companies to under-invest in people and still expect good results.”
partnership is to amplify market access to training, specifically focusing on driving participation in supplier relationship management (SRM) training and CIPS professional certification. “Opportunities to stand out in procurement in the past few years have been abundant,” says Day. “The challenges have been many and in some cases revealed shortcomings in the skill set available to meet them. If procurement is to enhance its profile, people must demonstrate dedication and resilience and be supported and trained.”
To find out more about CIPS professional certification, go to www.cips.org and for further information on State of Flux training, visit https://srm.stateofflux.co.uk/ training-homepage
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