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The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply
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What we do

As a professional body CIPS exists to provide public benefit through:

  • Developing the ‘art and science’ of purchasing and supply

Developing the body of knowledge of the purchasing and supply management function underpins everything we do and is fundamental to our long term strategy. Our research programme helps to shape responses to tomorrow’s challenges by supporting vital academic research. Along with our consultative work with some of the world’s leading organisations, this intelligence enables us to visualise the future of leading edge practice.

  • Continuously improving the professional standards of practitioners

A key aspect of our remit is to promote and maintain high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity amongst all practitioners engaged in purchasing and supply management. We do this through our professional qualifications programme and associated membership standard , and by providing public access training programmes and a comprehensive range of learning resources. Our members are bound by a code of conduct and are encouraged to make a lifelong commitment to their own professional development.

  • Promoting excellence in organisations

Helping organisations achieve and maintain the highest standards, throughout their purchasing and supply management operations, contributes significantly to their effectiveness. We support organisations in a number of ways, from educating and training their staff, to improving their performance through assessment and accreditation of their purchasing and supply methods, and sharing of best practice between peer groups.

  • Representing the interests and views of individuals within the profession

We represent the interests of the profession and the views of our members in many ways. Our special interest groups are designed to encourage members to share their views and knowledge with the wider community. We are also directly involved in shaping Government and European Commission policy on procurement; our consultative response process allows us to represent members’ views at the highest level.