The Level 6 Senior Procurement and Supply Chain Professional Apprenticeship equips individuals with the advanced knowledge, technical skills, and professional behaviours needed to lead complex procurement functions. This programme is designed for senior roles and includes CIPS accreditation, helping professionals drive value, innovation, and compliance across supply chains. Below, you'll find the complete list of Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs) expected at this level, as outlined by the apprenticeship standard.
Knowledge
Competitive advantage and how that adds value for their organisation and supply chain
Strategic risk management techniques that drive appropriate due diligence and whole-life risk management
Responsible procurement expertise covering ethical/social, environmental, and economic factors
Procurement cycle and its role in delivering the organisation’s strategy
Concepts of leadership and management in procurement
How a business case is developed, and the roles of stakeholders involved
Relevant regulatory and legislative requirements such as data protection, modern slavery and its application for procurement and supply chain management, competition, and employment
Approaches to managing strategic stakeholder relationships
The benefits, risks and implications of globalised supply chains and country-specific risks and challenges
Change management concepts, and methods of implementing change within the organisation
How to use horizon scanning to identify the current and future needs of the sector and procurement landscape
Financial management techniques and implications for procurement
Systems and technology used to support and improve procurement planning such as demand management, optimisation of inventory and supplier performance management
Importance of data integrity and cyber security to protect commercial information
The use of, and the continuing development, of Category Management
The use of collaborative and competitive strategies to identify routes to market
Contract and on-going supplier relationship management including exit strategies
Sustainability and resilience of supply chain networks
Project management tools and techniques
Pricing and payment mechanisms in contracting
Commercial negotiation approaches and techniques
Conflict management and dispute resolution
Contract development including legal considerations
The continuous development requirements and training needs of their team
Quality management systems and improvement methodologies
Software tools used to analyse, interpret, and evaluate intelligence to inform judgements and enable decision making
Skills
Identify and apply a consistent approach to risk assessment
Use impact analysis to influence the decision making process
Develop category strategies and implement them
Apply project management skills in order to lead projects for procurement
Negotiate and challenge external stakeholders in order to create innovative commercial solutions
Influence and persuade internal clients and stakeholders
Create and implement intervention strategies to correct a contractual failure
Identify opportunities, and lead change to continually improve the procurement function
Able to align the procurement or functional strategy with the business strategy
Analyse, interpret and evaluate findings from qualitative and quantitative research and benchmarking methods to support the decision making process
Deliver sustainable solutions which include corporate social responsibility factors
Lead and be accountable for due diligence in supplier selection and contract award
Use horizon scanning and conceptualisation to deliver high performance strategies focusing on value and sustainable outcomes
Identify supply chain vulnerabilities and opportunities ensuring the delivery of supply chain improvements
Prepare and provide commercial and procurement guidance for business cases for organisational approval
Apply and work within guidelines relating to sustainability, Governance and Regulatory compliance
Develop sustainable procurement practices which allows the organisation to future proof themselves against changes in social, economic, and environmental factors
Contribute to projects and the transformation of procurement services across organisational boundaries such as those impacted by sustainability and the UK Net Carbon Zero target
Identify emerging technology and software relevant to the procurement processes
Lead and facilitate learning and continuous development for their stakeholders
Use quality management systems or improvement methodologies to optimise procurement spend and deliver procurement and supply chain objectives
Coach and mentor individuals within their business
Behaviours
Role models ethical behaviour and practices
Seeks learning opportunities and continuous professional development
Takes responsibility, shows initiative and is organised
Considers the “big” picture and the detail together
Works flexibly and adapts to circumstances
Works collaboratively with others across the organisation and external stakeholders
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