CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations Practice Exam

The CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations is for individuals currently engaged in operational roles, aiming to enhance their foundational skills. Aligned with the Tactical and Operational levels of our Global Standard, this certification enhances your ability to tackle tasks with confidence, both new and existing. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive comprehension of how procurement and supply functions integrate within your organization.

Who should take the exam?

This qualification serves as a stepping stone for intermediate level learners seeking to specialize in procurement and supply, paving the way for progression towards the CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

Exam Details:

The qualification comprises 30 credits, and successful completion of each exam is necessary to obtain the award. Credits serve as a measure of the total study hours required to fulfill the qualification. Each credit corresponds to an estimated 10 hours of study time. For instance, for a module worth 3 credits, it is advisable to allocate approximately 30 hours for studying and exam preparation.

The 24 mandatory credits consist of four core modules, while the remaining six credits are fulfilled by completing one elective module.

Total qualification time (TQT) is 300 hrs.

Course Outline

The exam covers the following modules:

Module 1 - Understand Procurement and Supply Environments (L3M1) - 6 Credits

• Understand the concepts of sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Understand the environmental impact of procurement and supply
• Understand methods for the storage and movement of inventory
• Understand the environmental impact of warehousing and distribution 

Module 2 - Understand Ethical Procurement and Supply [L3M2] -  6 Credits

• Describe techniques to achieve added value and their contribution to organisational success
• Describe tasks associated with each stage of the sourcing process
• Describe the significance of ethics for procurement and supply
• Understand the method of operational performance of the procurement and supply function 

Module 3 - Contract Administration [L3M3] - 6 Credits

• Describe the administrative content and tasks associated with commercial contracts
• Describe the process to achieve competitive pricing and the role of negotiation in procurement and supply
• Describe the method to achieve effective tendering
• Describe the process to measure contract performance

Module 4 - Understand Team Dynamics and Change [L3M4] - 6 Credits

• Describe the process to support overall organisational success in procurement and supply
• Describe team dynamics and their impact on procurement and supply
• Describe the challenges and methods to achieve organisational change  

Module 5 - Understand Socially Responsible Procurement [L3M5] - 6 Credits

• Describe concepts of sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Describe the environmental impact of procurement and supply
  
• Describe the impact of CSR for the procurement and supply function
• Describe the methods to monitor Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in procurement and supply

Module 6 - Understand Socially Responsible Warehousing and Distribution [L3M6] - 6 Credits

• Describe the concepts of sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Describe the environmental impact of procurement and supply
  
• Describe the various methods for the storage and movement of inventory
• Describe the environmental impact of warehousing and distribution