CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and

Supply Operations
The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 2 Certificate in procurement and supply
operations is a vocationally related qualification. It is recognised by the Office of Qualifications and
Examinations Regulator (Ofqual), CCEA Regulation and Qualifications Wales in the UK and appears on the
Register of Regulated Qualifications.

The qualification accreditation number is 603/3282/7.

Introduction
The CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations is an intermediate qualification for those
who want to specialise in a specific occupation, occupational area or technical role. The qualification will
prepare learners for work by giving them the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge, technical and
practical skills, and to apply these skills in work-related environments. The qualification also provides
progression to the CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations.

Developed in close collaboration with experts from professional bodies and businesses, and with the providers
who will be delivering the qualifications, the CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations is
designed to develop transferable workplace skills, such as good communication and the ability to work in a
team; skills which employers have identified as essential for gaining employment in the sector and for
progression once the learner is working. At the core of this qualification is the concept of preparing people for
the working world.

Background and Aims

It is designed for new starters in the profession or for those who have some procurement and supply activity
within their role. The CIPS approach to learning is based around that which bring together knowledge and
understanding (the cognitive domain) with practical and technical skills (the psychomotor domain).
Transferable skills are those such as communication, teamwork, and planning and completing tasks to high
standards, all of which enable the learner to add value to the organisation. In essence, CIPS qualifications are
designed to facilitate a level of learning rigour and balance that promotes the skills to contextually apply
knowledge and learning to enhance organisational and personal performance.

CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations 1

In keeping with regulatory requirements the holder of the qualification will demonstrate the following
knowledge and skills within procurement and supply:

Knowledge Descriptor (the holder….) Skills Descriptor (the holder will….)

Has knowledge and understanding of facts, Select and use relevant cognitive and practical
procedures and ideas in an area of study or field of skills to complete well-defined, generally routine
work to complete well-defined tasks and address tasks and address straightforward problems.
straightforward problems.
Identify, gather and use relevant information to
Can interpret relevant information and ideas. inform actions.
Is aware of a range of information that is relevant to Identify how effective actions have been.
the area of study or work.

The CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations was developed through direct collaboration
and consultation with employers to ensure that the content of the qualification and associated award meet
with their needs and expectations and are relevant to the procurement and supply function both now and in
the future. Employers require recruits with the appropriate technical knowledge, and transferable skills
essential for employment at the operational level of the procurement and supply organisation and this
Certificate meets these requirements through:

• Consideration of a range of occupationally-related topics, each with a clear purpose, ensuring that the
learner develops the skills required to recognise and describe the key processes in procurement and
supply, building professional knowledge, competence and confidence.
• Providing up-to-date content which is closely aligned with employers’ needs and identified skill sets.
• Providing content that has as its base the CIPS Global Standard for Procurement and Supply, thereby
ensuring an understanding of the intrinsic value that good practice will bring to enhance organisational
and personal performance.
• Using assessments that have been developed and identified to help learners to progress to the next level
of the CIPS hierarchical qualifications ladder.
• Providing an extensive range of support, both resources and people, to ensure that learners and their
tutors have the best possible learning experience during their studies.
• Developing and adopting an approach that is learner focussed and that is facilitated and administered to
ensure achievement of full potential.

The content of the qualification is based on the CIPS Global Standard for Procurement and Supply – a
comprehensive competency framework to enhance an individual’s procurement performance leading to
excellent organisational performance. Further information on the global standard can be found here
Both the global standard and qualification are kept under regular review and updated when necessary to
ensure relevance is maintained.

CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations 2

Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification and therefore, the learner is not required to have any
prior professional qualifications or experience. Some module exemptions may be applicable under the CIPS
Exemption policy. Further information on the exemption policy and possible exemptions can be found here

Structure
In order to achieve the award of the CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations learners
are required to successfully complete the five core modules. All modules are mandatory, which ensures an
appropriate balance of breadth and depth across the final award. All modules are assessed via a CIPS externally
set and marked examination which focuses on assessing the learning outcomes of each module.
Examinations are available on timetabled dates throughout the year. Information on examination dates and
administrative arrangements can be found here.

CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations 3

The qualification is structured as follows:

CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

Code Module Title Credit Value Exam Type Exam Questions per LO GLH Additional self- Module learning time
Duration study

L2M1 Introducing Procurement and Supply 6 72 Objective 2 hours 12 40 18 60

Response
L2M2 Procurement and Supply Operations 3 36 Objective 1 hours 9 20 9 30
Response
L2M3 Stakeholder Relationships 3 36 Objective 1 hours 9 20 9 30
Response
L2M4 Systems Technology 3 36 Objective 1 hours 12 20 9 30
Response
L2M5 Inventory, Logistics and Expediting 3 36 Objective 1 hours 9 20 9 30
Response

Pass criteria Examination pass mark: 70%

You must achieve 70% for each section (learning outcome) within the exam in order to pass.

CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations 4

Compulsory modules:
L2M1 Introducing Procurement and Supply: On completion of the module, learners will be able to identify the
fundamental roles and activities, the systems, procedures, processes and contracts associated with the
procurement and supply function.
L2M2 Procurement and Supply Operations: On completion of the module, learners will be able to identify types
of business organisations. They will define the fundamentals and components of the contracting process,
identify sources of information on suppliers and customers and define pricing methods used for the purchasing
of goods or services.
L2M3 Stakeholder Relationships: On completion of this module, learners will be able to define stakeholders
and explain the key market factors that impact on the procurement and supply function. They will also define
the role of effective communication in the successful development and maintenance of internal and external
relationships.
L2M4 Systems Technology: On completion of this module, learners will be able to define the uses of, and
identify the advantages offered by systems technology in improving procurement and supply activity whilst
maintaining overall quality.
L2M5 Inventory, Logistics and Expediting: On completion of this module, learners will be able to identify the
key role that inventory has to play and define the principles and processes associated with effective logistics
control, explaining how effective expediting can be achieved in procurement and supply.
Click here for the full syllabus content guide
All modules within the CIPS qualifications are assessed by examination. Sample examination question papers
for all modules can be found here
The CIPS assessments permit reasonable adjustments and special arrangements to be made while minimizing
the need for them. For further information regarding the CIPS reasonable adjustment policy, click here
The number of hours assigned to the Certificate qualification for Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 180. TQT is
the number of notional hours which represents an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably
be expected to be required in order for a learner to demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment
necessary for the award of the qualification. This means that an average learner would be expected to
undertake 180 hours in terms of Total Qualification Time, which can consist of 120 guided learning hours (40
hours for 1 module and 20 for 4 modules each) and a recommended 54 hours of additional self-study (18 hours
for 1 module and 9 hours for 4 modules each), which includes a wider reading of the subject areas and revision
to give the learner the best preparation for successfully achieving the certificate, plus 6 hours of assessment
time (2 or 1 hours per module).
The CIPS Level 2 Certificate in procurement and supply operations forms part of the CIPS ladder of
qualifications and supports progression within employment and also to further learning including to the Level
6 Professional Diploma level. The qualification also provides an opportunity to demonstrate continuing
professional development (CPD).
For further information regarding the CIPS qualifications ladder, click here

CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations 5