CIPS Level 6 Future Strategic Challenges of the Profession (L6M4)
The unit Future Strategic Challenges of the Profession (L6M4) at CIPS Level 6 is designed to develop an advanced understanding of how the procurement and supply profession is evolving. It explores how strategic procurement functions must adapt to changing organisational needs, market influences, and future trends. This unit provides insights into supply chain agility, complexity management, emerging business challenges, and leadership skills required for procurement professionals.
Learners will gain expertise in aligning procurement strategies with organisational goals, identifying supply chain opportunities, managing risks, and enhancing sustainability. The unit also highlights the importance of adapting to global market volatility and developing resilient procurement strategies
Learning Outcomes
The significant learning outcomes of the unit CIPS Level 6 Future Strategic Challenges of the Profession (L6M4) are demonstrated below:
LO1: Understand the changing needs and requirements for procurement and supply
This learning outcome focuses on the evolving landscape of procurement and supply functions in response to changing business environments. Learners will evaluate the future structure of procurement within organisations, considering internal alignment, supply chain opportunities, and new operational requirements such as agility, flexibility, and legality. The outcome also examines supply network strategies, proactive supply chain design, and balancing risk vs. resilience. By mastering this learning outcome, learners will enhance their ability to adapt procurement strategies, restructure supply networks, and proactively plan for emerging challenges.
LO2: Contrast the future skills and expectations of strategic procurement and supply leaders
Learners will assess how procurement leaders must shift their focus from internal operations to external customer engagement. This outcome emphasises the need for functional expertise, strategic management skills, and relationship management to navigate evolving procurement demands. Additionally, it covers ethical and sustainable leadership, ensuring procurement professionals address environmental concerns and global sustainability challenges. By achieving this learning outcome, learners will develop the capabilities to lead procurement functions effectively, integrate strategic thinking, and foster cross-functional collaboration.
LO3: Contrast the influence of emerging businesses and markets on the procurement and supply function
This learning outcome explores how volatile global environments and emerging markets impact procurement. Learners will assess how international trade shifts, market identification, and future risks affect procurement strategies. The outcome equips learners with strategic foresight to anticipate business disruptions and leverage market opportunities, ensuring procurement teams remain agile and competitive.
LO4: Understand the future challenges for the procurement and supply profession
Learners will evaluate the role of innovation and technology in reshaping procurement, focusing on automation, digital transformation, and disruptive technologies. This learning outcome also examines the blurring boundaries between traditional business disciplines, requiring procurement professionals to work across functions, drive competitive advantages, and expand their influence within organisations.
LO5: Assess the changing boundaries and shape of the profession
The focus of this learning outcome is on the expanding role of procurement professionals beyond their traditional functions. Learners will explore interdisciplinary collaboration, cross-skilling, and the integration of procurement expertise into broader business strategies. By achieving this outcome, learners will position procurement as a strategic enabler, fostering innovation, ethical leadership, and business-wide value creation.
Assessment Criteria
1.0 Understand the changing needs and requirements for procurement and supply
1.1 Assess what the future strategic procurement and supply function will look like
- Alignment with the organisation – internally, vertically, and horizontally
- Recognising and exploiting supply chain opportunities
- New approaches and requirements:
- Agility
- Flexibility
- Legality
- Dealing with complexity – Supply Network Strategies
- Interpreting the current approach to procurement
- Formulating objectives on the supply side
- Determining the basic network strategy
- Calibrating the strategy
- Restructuring the supply network
- Proactive planning and design of supply networks – anticipate, respond, and adapt
- Risk vs. resilient supply chains and networks
1.2 Contrast the future skills and expectations of strategic procurement and supply leaders
- Shifting focus from internal operations to external customer engagement
- Functional knowledge in procurement and supply
- Development of interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement
- General management and strategic skills – promoting the strategic value of procurement
- Effective internal and external relationship management
- Ethical and sustainable leadership – addressing environmental challenges
1.3 Contrast the influence of emerging business and markets on the procurement and supply function
- The volatile global environment and its impact on traditional international trade models
- Influence on market identification, development, and expansion
- Anticipating future risks and challenges in procurement
2.0 Understand the future challenges for the procurement and supply profession
2.1 Evaluate the emerging role and influence of innovation and technology on the profession
- Disruptive impact on traditional procurement processes
- Adoption of technological advancements to drive efficiency
- Automation and its impact on procurement roles
- Opportunities created by technology and associated skill set requirements
- Leveraging procurement technology for competitive advantage
2.2 Assess the changing boundaries and shape of the profesion
- Expanding and redefining procurement’s role in business
- Creating competitive advantage through supply chain management
- Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration
- Increasing influence of procurement in strategic decision-making
- Maintaining professional standards and governance in procurement
- Acting as advisors and ethical guardians of procurement practices
2.3 Evaluate future challenges for the profession
- Standardisation of business language across procurement and supply
- Enhancing cross-functional collaboration within organisations
- Promoting the role of procurement within other business functions
- Expanding procurement’s professional scope to add strategic value
- Encouraging knowledge-sharing across disciplines
- Cross-skilling professionals to improve adaptability
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