CIPS Certification Exams Pack
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- Exam Name: Scope and Influence of Procurement and Supply
- 52 Questions Answers with Explanation Detail
- Total Questions: 52 Q&A's
- Fill in the Blanks Questions: 52 Q&A's
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Explain what is meant by added value (5 points). Describe 4 ways the Procurement Department can add value for their organisation (20 points)
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Answer:
See the solution in Explanation part below. |
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Explanation
What to include in the essay: - Definition of added value: the economic enhancement given to products or services before offering them to customers. Examples may include a product which has additional features at no additional cost to the customer or the provision of an extended warrantee. - Description of four of the following with examples and Explanation: s: providing better customer service levels, risk management, cost control and reduction, relationship management, reputation management, innovation, use of technology, streamlining processes, improving specifications, increasing sustainability, improving quality, ordering processes such as bulk ordering, inventory management, improving the product from the customer’s perspective (e.g. packaging, exclusivity), sustainability, convenience, market development. Example essay: Added value in procurement refers to the enhancement or improvement in the economic worth, quality, or utility of products or services before they are offered to customers or end-users. In the context of procurement, the goal is to go beyond simply obtaining goods or services at the lowest cost. Instead, procurement aims to contribute additional value to the organization through various means. This essay explores the concept of added value and outlines four ways the Procurement Department can contribute to organizational improvement. Improving Specifications Procurement can add value firstly by ensuring all critical items are procured against a specification, and secondly by improving and regularly updating those specifications. For example, the procurement department might be responsible for procuring light-bulbs for an office. Having an effective specification for this purchase (lightbulbs must meet X safety standard and Y environmental standard) would result in less maverick buying for the organisation and the procurement of a better-quality product. Furthermore, regularly updating specifications ensures that purchases are made against current safety standards and regulations (e.g. the use of low-energy lightbulbs). If procurement don’t update specifications, then there is a risk that items are bought that don’t meet the correct standards. Added value in this regard could also therefore be considered the removal of risks of procuring the wrong item. Stream-lining Processes Procurement can add value by stream-lining processes such as requisitions and POs. This reduces the time it takes to procure an item, thus saving the company money. Another process that could be streamlined is the re-ordering process of regularly bought items. This could be automated when the stock levels reach a certain level. For example if an organisation requires its staff to wear PPE, an automatic request could be made once there are only 50 face masks left. Managing Supplier Relationships Having strong, positive relationships with suppliers is a source of added value as it means suppliers value you as a buyer and are therefore more likely to help in situations which are adversely affecting business. For example, if a manufacturer puts an order in for 300 items with their supplier but then realises that they have made an error in the amount, if there is a strong relationship, the supplier may allow the buyer to amend the order after the fact. If there is a poor relationship, the supplier may not be as flexible. The flexibility in the supply chain is therefore a source of added value. Improving Quality / Innovation This involves adding value from the customer’s perspective. E.g. a customer may choose to purchase a phone that has a longer battery life than others. Procurement’s role in this may be in completing a Value Engineering exercise or procuring higher quality components or materials at the same price in order to achieve this additional feature. In conclusion, the Procurement Department plays a crucial role in organizational success by adding value through improved specifications, streamlined processes, strong supplier relationships, and a focus on quality and innovation. These strategies contribute to enhanced efficiency, reduced risks, and increased customer satisfaction, making procurement an essential function for organizational excellence. Tutor Notes - The question asks specifically to name 4 ways of adding value. You therefore won’t get any additional points if you talk about 5 or 6, even though it may be tempting. Instead, focus your response on providing more information on the 4 you have chosen and bulking out your answer with examples. This demonstrates to the examiner that you fully understand the topic AND that you can apply the theory to real situations. - You could use real-life examples from your own organisation/ experience or you could give a hypothetical situation such as a cake manufacturer. You could talk through how the procurement department at the cake manufacturer can add value by doing the four things in your essay: by amending the specification so the cakes are more tasty, by streamlining the process for ordering flour, by managing the relationship with the company that fixes the machines when they break down, and by introducing innovation such as using an e-procurement system to source raw materials and the benefits that these will bring to the organisation. - Added value is part of the syllabus for Learning Outcome 1.2 starting from p.19 but I’m gonna be honest, I think the new study guide is a bit crap on this part of the syllabus. The section starts talking about the 5 rights of procurement and I think that makes things very confusing for students. The 5 rights and added value are linked subjects, but they’re not the same. Getting the rights right, CAN lead to sources of added value, but added value is value that is IN ADDITION to what is expected. So, when you have a question on added value, focus on stuff that’s listed under 1.1.4 ‘other sources of added value’ on p.35 rather than talking about the 5 rights of procurement. My list at the top is more exhaustive than the one in the study guide. - If you’re looking to be really clever you can quote Michael Porter on ‘what is added value?’. Michael Porter looks at this from a customer perspective - ‘added value’ refers to the addition of greater value (either by reducing the cost to produce it, or by adding something that customers are willing to pay more for). These could be; marketing / design, customer service, maintenance, delivery etc. This comes up at Level 5 / 6. |
(a) Outline FIVE procedures that could be included in the
procurement policy manual. (15 marks)
(b) Analyse how TWO Of these procedures can positively
influence procurement activities and organisational outcomes
for BetaCo. (10 marks)
BetaCo Inc.
BetaCo Inc. is a medium-sized electronics design and manufacturing
company that sells audio equipment to event management customers for
use in stadiums and festivals. BetaCo has significantly increased its sales
over the last five years and is now looking to establish more contracts with
new customers. BetaCo Inc. is aware that new customers will require it to
have robust procurement processes in place that minimise organisational
risk.
Currently, all procurement activities are dealt with by BetaCo ' s small,
customer-orientated project teams. Each project team makes its own
procurement decisions with limited central oversight and does not follow
standardised processes. This type of activity has resulted in BetaCo
frequently encountering overspending on projects, and senior
management is concerned that there is a lack of control over what
products and services the project teams buy. In addition, suppliers
regularly complain that their invoices are not paid on time, which has
caused issues for future purchases.
To address these challenges, BetaCo has decided to create a centralised
procurement and supply management department. BetaCo has recently
appointed Pat Kennedy as its procurement and supply manager. BetaCo
has also recruited three senior buyers, five buyers and two assistant
buyers, who will join the company in the next few months.
Pat ' s first task is to establish a procurement policy manual. The manual
will contain a set of procedures that can be followed by the new
procurement team and it will control the company ' s procurement activities
to ensure that the issues BetaCo is facing are effectively managed.
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Answer:
See the solution in Explanation part below. |
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Explanation
(a) Five Procedures to Include in BetaCo’s Procurement Policy Manual Purchase Requisition and Approval Procedure All procurement requests must be formally submitted through standardized purchase requisition forms and approved by designated authorities before any purchase action is taken. This ensures control over spending and adherence to budgets. Supplier Selection and Evaluation Procedure A structured process to identify, assess, and approve suppliers based on criteria such as quality, reliability, price, and compliance with BetaCo’s standards. Supplier performance should be regularly reviewed to maintain quality and reliability. Purchase Order (PO) Management Procedure Clear guidelines on raising, issuing, and tracking purchase orders to suppliers, ensuring orders are placed only after necessary approvals and conform to agreed terms. Purchase orders serve as formal contracts protecting both BetaCo and suppliers. Invoice Processing and Payment Procedure Defines steps for receiving, verifying, and authorizing supplier invoices, followed by timely payment according to agreed payment terms. This avoids late payments and maintains good supplier relationships. Conflict of Interest and Ethics Compliance Procedure Policies requiring employees to declare any conflicts of interest and adhere to ethical standards in procurement activities to ensure transparency and fairness. This prevents fraud, corruption, and protects BetaCo’s reputation. (b) Analysis of How TWO Procedures Positively Influence Procurement Activities and Organisational Outcomes for BetaCo 1. Purchase Requisition and Approval Procedure Positive Influence on Procurement Activities: Introducing a formal purchase requisition and approval procedure provides BetaCo with much-needed control and oversight over spending, addressing the current issue of overspending by project teams. It ensures that all procurement requests are validated against project budgets and company policies before any purchase commitment is made. Impact on Organisational Outcomes: This procedure supports financial discipline and accountability, reducing uncontrolled expenditures and improving cost management. It also creates a clear audit trail for procurement decisions, helping senior management monitor and enforce compliance, thus reducing organisational risk. 2. Invoice Processing and Payment Procedure Positive Influence on Procurement Activities: By implementing a standardized invoice verification and timely payment procedure, BetaCo can resolve the existing problem of late payments to suppliers. This ensures invoices are matched to purchase orders and delivery notes, approved promptly, and paid within agreed terms. Impact on Organisational Outcomes: Timely payments strengthen supplier relationships, enhancing trust and reliability in supply continuity, which is critical for BetaCo’s growing customer base and production needs. It also helps avoid disputes or disruptions caused by delayed payments, contributing to smoother operations and better supplier cooperation. Conclusion: For BetaCo, incorporating structured procurement procedures into the policy manual is essential for centralising control, improving transparency, and reducing risks associated with decentralized procurement activities. Specifically, purchase requisition and approval alongside invoice processing procedures will directly address current challenges, leading to improved financial control, supplier relationships, and operational efficiency, ultimately supporting BetaCo’s growth ambitions and reputation.
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Mo is the new Head of Procurement at Manufacturer X. Manufacturer X is a small organisation which creates bespoke robots for clients. Their supply chain is complex, sourcing many components from various suppliers. Mo has joined the company at a pivotal time of growth. The company wishes to expand the procurement department and formalise its policies. Discuss 5 areas that Mo should consider when drafting the department’s policies and manuals (25 points).
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Answer:
See the solution in Explanation part below. |
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Explanation
How to approach this question - Remember as you’re preparing an essay plan that this is a case study question, meaning everything has to relate back to Mo and Manufacturer X. So for the 5 areas- think about how this would be applicable for a robotics manufacturer. CIPS don’t expect you to know anything about robotics so if you talk about KPIs for suppliers- just make them up- as long as they sound right-ish that’s all that matters. - Areas you could talk about include: competition, ethics, KPIs, quality, supplier appraisal, supplier evaluation, sustainability, transparency Example Essay Mo, stepping into the role of Head of Procurement at Manufacturer X during a pivotal period of growth, faces the task of expanding the department and formalizing its policies. In this intricate landscape of a small organization creating bespoke robots, five crucial areas demand Mo ' s careful consideration in the drafting of departmental policies and manuals: competition, ethics, quality, supplier evaluation, and sustainability. Firstly, competition. As Manufacturer X navigates growth, Mo must establish transparent guidelines for competitive bidding processes. It is imperative to ensure fairness in supplier selection and implement strategies for cost competitiveness without compromising quality. Encouraging innovation and collaboration with suppliers becomes a strategic approach to gain a competitive edge in the market. Mo should be careful that his policies do not favour any suppliers over others and that consideration is given to allowing SMEs to bid for work. Secondly, Ethics. Mo needs to develop an explicit code of ethics guiding procurement professionals in their interactions. This should emphasize honesty, integrity, and fair treatment. Additionally, establishing due diligence procedures to ensure suppliers adhere to ethical business practices, especially concerning labour and environmental standards is important. Moreover, whistleblower protection mechanisms should be put in place to encourage the reporting of ethical concerns without fear of reprisal. Thirdly, Quality considerations. Given the bespoke nature of the robotics industry and the necessity of maintaining high standards for customer satisfaction, Mo must define and communicate stringent quality requirements to suppliers, emphasizing adherence to specifications and standards. The establishment of robust inspection and testing procedures at various stages of the supply chain is crucial, ensuring consistent component quality. Developing contingency plans and protocols for addressing quality issues promptly, including collaboration with suppliers for continuous improvement, should be integrated. With the organization ' s growth, a systematic approach to supplier evaluation becomes paramount. Mo needs to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework, including criteria such as financial stability, reliability, and past performance. Implementing a supplier scorecard system is essential for tracking and assessing supplier performance over time. Moreover, fostering strategic relationships with key suppliers to promote collaboration, innovation, and long-term partnerships becomes a strategic imperative. Lastly, Mo should consider sustainability, in particular environmental awareness and the promotion of sustainable practices into the supply chain for long-term viability. Developing sustainability criteria for supplier selection, considering factors such as environmental impact, social responsibility, and ethical sourcing, is imperative. Encouraging suppliers to adopt environmentally friendly practices and certifications, such as ISO14001 or Fair Trade, becomes crucial. The integration of sustainability goals into procurement key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential for tracking progress and demonstrating the organization ' s commitment to corporate responsibility. In conclusion, Mo ' s strategic focus on competition, ethics, quality, supplier evaluation, and sustainability is pivotal in laying the foundation for a procurement department that not only supports Manufacturer X ' s growth, but also aligns with its values and industry standards. This approach positions the organization for success in the dynamic landscape of bespoke robot manufacturing. Tutor Notes - This question is taken from P. 146 – note the question is on policies not strategy. These are slightly different concepts, but they do overlap. Policies are black and white- we do this and we don’t do that. Strategies are about what the company wants to achieve. They’re future orientated, where as a policy is about what we do now. So a policy may include sustainability, but strategy may talk about reducing pollution. - CIPS could also ask you to talk about procurement strategies such as achieving cost reductions, environmental issues etc. These are also on p.146 |
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The CIPS L4M1 certification is a globally-acknowledged credential that is awarded to candidates who pass this certification exam by obtaining the required passing score. This credential attests and validates the candidates' knowledge and hands-on skills in domains covered in the CIPS L4M1 certification syllabus. The CIPS L4M1 certified professionals with their verified proficiency and expertise are trusted and welcomed by hiring managers all over the world to perform leading roles in organizations. The success in CIPS L4M1 certification exam can be ensured only with a combination of clear knowledge on all exam domains and securing the required practical training. Like any other credential, CIPS L4M1 certification may require periodic renewal to stay current with new innovations in the concerned domains.