Level 4 CIPS Diploma in Procurement and Supply

• Understand the scope and influence of procurement and supply within organisations.
• Develop skills to define business needs and create effective procurement strategies.
• Understand commercial contracting and contractual requirements.
• Apply ethical and responsible sourcing principles.
• Develop commercial negotiation skills.
• Understand supplier relationship management.
• Learn whole-life asset management principles.
• Apply procurement and supply knowledge in practical workplace contexts.
• Develop knowledge and competencies relevant to progressing towards MCIPS Chartered Status.

1. Scope and Influence of Procurement and Supply (L4M1) – 12 credits

• Added value through procurement and supply chain management.
• Key stages of the procurement process.
• CIPS Procurement Cycle.
• Organisational infrastructure and procurement structures.
• Stakeholders and organisational policies.
• Compliance requirements across different sectors.

2. Defining Business Need (L4M2) – 6 credits

• Business needs and requirements.
• Business cases and financial considerations.
• Market management.
• Competitive forces.
• Direct and indirect costs.
• Procurement specifications and their development.
• Risks and opportunities associated with specifications.

3. Commercial Contracting (L4M3) – 6 credits

• Legal principles involved in commercial contracts.
• Contract formation and documentation.
• Specifications and key performance indicators.
• Contractual clauses and terms.
• Liabilities, guarantees and insurance.
• Pricing and payment arrangements.

4. Ethical and Responsible Sourcing (L4M4) – 6 credits

• Sourcing and outsourcing options.
• Supplier selection and evaluation.
• Tendering and quotation processes.
• Financial analysis of suppliers.
• Regulatory and compliance requirements.
• International sourcing.
• Environmental, social and governance considerations.

5. Commercial Negotiation (L4M5) – 6 credits

• Negotiation planning and preparation.
• Negotiation processes and techniques.
• Stakeholder objectives and negotiation strategies.
• Negotiation tactics and approaches.
• Commercial outcomes and agreements.

6. Supplier Relationships (L4M6) – 6 credits

• Supplier relationship management.
• Supplier performance.
• Relationship development.
• Supplier segmentation.
• Performance measurement and improvement.
• Managing supplier relationships throughout the contract lifecycle.

7. Whole Life Asset Management (L4M7) – 6 credits

• Whole-life asset management.
• Asset acquisition and management.
• Whole-life costs.
• Maintenance and operational considerations.
• Asset disposal and end-of-life requirements.
• Sustainability and asset management.

8. Procurement and Supply in Practice (L4M8) – 12 credits

• Practical application of the CIPS Procurement Cycle.
• Application of pre-contract and post-contract procurement stages.
• Financial and procurement performance indicators.
• Whole-life asset management.
• Extended supply chains and global sourcing.
• Environmental, social and governance principles.
• Supplier monitoring and KPIs.

100 days

Certification: CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Duration: 15 hours total

Format: Computer-Based Objective Response (OR) and Constructed Response (CR) examinations

Questions: Varies by module

• Procurement Officers.
• Buyers.
• Supply Chain Coordinators.
• Contract Officers.
• Professionals responsible for purchasing or supplier management.
• Individuals aiming to progress into supervisory or managerial procurement roles.
• Individuals seeking to develop a career in procurement and supply.

• Age 18 or older with a minimum of two A Levels or an equivalent qualification, such as a relevant Level 3 qualification.
• Age 21 or older with at least two years of work experience in a business environment.
• Completion of the CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate is not mandatory for entry to Level 4.
• Relevant procurement experience can be beneficial but is not required where the stated entry requirements are met.