CIPS anyone?

[Cadix]

I am keen to move into procurement and supply chain as my theory is that it is a profession which will be in demand as we slide down that slippery slope into recession, plus as I have now been made redundant, the world is my oyster.

I am considering a level 2 introductory cert in purchasing and supply as a starting point however any advice would be appreciated.
Anyone btdt?
Has anyone got any tips/suggestion/useful links for me?

TIA

Anything? Have I put this in a ghost town of a section?

Sorry Cadix, no experience but am bumping for you

Blimey, I don't know. I kind of work in that, did so in my last job and dabble a bit in my current job due to language issues.
I had absolutely no experience in either procurement or supply chain management prior to that, except for the fact I came from the industry on the commercial side and had excellent technical knowledge, as well as a whole lot of contacts and knowledge of local working practice.

Do you have specialised technical knowledge? What would the field be? Do you know anyone in the industry or have any contacts who would know someone (eg. someone who works for a client or supplier?)

Sorry if i'm being useless, I'm not in the UK although currently working for a UK company. I will tell you that some companies in the field are feeling the pinch and have been cutting back quite heavily.

Thanks for all responses.

Unfortunately my specialised technical knowlegdge is leasing (commercial finance) however I am comfortable dealing with all industries from garage equipment and industrial cutting and pressing to telecommunications and computer systems.
I had an interview today in medical CRM and feel fairly confident that I presented myself well but there is still the worry. I am a woman in a man's world. Not easy.

The aggression on this site is fairly oppressive and makes me feel like a failure despite my efforts. I have lots to offer an employer I really do! I don't understand why I have to work harder to prove that here than in an interview situation! lol Madness!

Sorry guys am refering to another thread re the negativity.

Oh, did I come across as aggressive? I didn't mean to, sorry.

I also work in a male dominated industry, or I did when I worked with local companies. I think being a woman can be an asset in procurement anyway.

Fret not, something will come up. In my last 2 jobs I didn't have the relevant sector experience but they were willing to take a chance as I must have sounded cool and confident. Just fluff out your CV, lie a bit perhaps but don't put anything that you wouldn't be able to pull off. Stressing that you're a fast learner and mentally flexible usually helps too, although now I have a DC I don't want to stress the flexible part too much as it tends to be read time-flexible.

Ah, right. x posts.

tbh I've never really found it excessively aggressive, apart from some threads which I generally avoid because I can't be bothered to get worked up. But then I'm not really a fluffy person. Fuzzy yes (alas), but fluffy no.

LOL Brangelina! Fuzzy or fluffy is fine! lol

Am used to the male dominated - finance is so testosterone overload!!!!

Can stress flexible (to an extent) and certainly quick to learn so will put that in cv...thanks.

I have got transferrable skills in abundance, I just really didn't expect such negativity from some.

In fairness, the majority who have how given me consideration have offered a positive input so thanks for that x.

I work in that area and I think it is very good for transferable skills - at the end of the day it comes down to commercial /analytical / legal skills and a lot of relationship management. I'd say key skills would be flexibility/team work/influencing/creative thinking/problem solving. It helps if you are an expert in the field you work in if you've coming to the profession from outside. I too work in a very male dominated area - telecoms. I'm not sure I'd say if it(purchasing that is) is an area that's expanding though. I've applied recently for a couple of jobs which were subsequentally pulled due to head-count freeze. Everything is moving even more towards centralisation and systems that streamline and automate processes.

Agree with PTP - but like many areas some companies are reducing this area - others see it as a competitive advantage to reduce costs to help maintain margins (like wot I do try to do). I don't have CIPs but worked up through various procurement / supply chain / margin analysis areas. Some buying areas are very specific - food / fashion but mostly its generic skills. The IT / service / IP side though is possibly more specialised too and good rewards available.

Definitely worth doing. I have sat on a CIPS committee. I am a lawyer and have often worked with CIPS. They are useful qualifications to have. Even if you don't use what you learn at work a lot of the information is useful business skills and some law so worth learning just for that reason.