Johannesburg, 17 February 2022 – The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) in South Africa, is calling on professionalisation in buying practices through the standardisation of processes and compliance, ethics guidance and training for professionals.

CIPS is a not-for-profit global organisation that trains individuals and teams on procurement and supply matters, including public sector and businesses on how to spot and prevent fraud, corruption and bribery in procurement, increase transparency in supply chains, and work with suppliers to encourage best practice. CIPS South Africa is the only SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) recognised professional body in the country. Fully qualified CIPS members sign up to a code of ethics and can complete an annual ethics test to raise their membership status further and become Chartered members.

Dr Sara Bux, the General Manager of CIPS South Africa, said, “This professional body and the CIPS for Business team, always challenges procurement leaders to remain relevant by becoming Chartered members and/or for organisations to achieve the CIPS ethics mark, demonstrating they have the latest insights, up-to-date skills and are committed to ethical practices.”

CIPS South Africa Head of Professional Body, Sarie Homan responsible for professional standards in education said, “Procurement and supply managers must adopt good practices in their respective organisations and departments, and these can be simple such as advertising policies and processes to combat fraud or creating a confidential whistleblowing helpline for staff and suppliers to raise concerns. Managers can also draw up policies around gifts and hospitality often intended to influence decision-making where these instances are logged and reported on regularly.”

CIPS offers a range of resources for members and also non-members as part of its public good agenda.
Craig O’Flaherty, Head of CIPS for Business in CIPS South Africa, adds,” Responsible procurement is a reputational and economic imperative, whether it is a state-owned or private business.

“Procurement teams where day-to-day business decisions are made should focus on automatically doing the right thing, to enhance the reputation of their business as well as meeting regulations and world-wide standards,” he says.

“We may be suffering from the effects of uncertainty at the moment, but like any terrain, formidable leaders can conquer these challenges with the right knowledge, the right equipment and the right skills. Armed with an inquisitive and decisive attitude, and influential and persuasive skills, a strong procurement and supply management leader can steer not only their teams but their organisation to success.”

For more information on ethics training and guidance contact the CIPS Africa team.

The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply:

The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) is the world’s largest procurement and supply professional organisation. It is the worldwide centre of excellence on procurement and supply management issues. CIPS has a membership of over 60,000 in 150 different countries, including senior business people, high-ranking civil servants and leading academics. The activities of procurement and supply chain professionals have a major impact on the profitability and efficiency of all types of organisation and CIPS offers corporate solutions packages to improve business profitability.
https://www.cips.org/who-we-are/governance/cips-africa/@CIPS_SA