SCM/LOGISTICS

Hello People, I will like to use this tread to bring folks interested, or already practicing professional in the Area of Logistics and supply chain management, also professionals in allied functions like shipping, materials handling, inventory/stock management and Transportation planning, should please feel free to join us and share their expertise with us.

My Profile:
Currently I work in the(sales and receivables section) with a Major Logistics service company In the south of Nigeria and have  one year 3 months experiance, i have learnt and seen  how major firms, oil and gas, manufacturing etc  outsource their logistics Functions , control and operate their supply chain operations, both Locally  (Support base services) and Internationally (Terminal /port).

With a Higher National Diploma in Production Engr and a PGD in Transport Mgt and planning in View, I Now want to really build a career in Logistics and SCM and move from my present function into the main aspects of logistics and SCM.

Since Logistics and SCM is an emerging function in most Organizations and without Formal undergraduate or postgraduate courses run in these areas by local tertiary institutions, it’s hard to get training locally.
My search so far has only come up with two firms offering Training and short course in this area, One Export Academy in Lagos and The upcoming Phillips consulting LOD program in Principals of SCM, coming up I think some time in July 2006.

I am making serious search for the best place and at a reasonable cost where one can take short courses, training or postgraduate studies in logistics and SCM, my search so far shows that South Africa seems to be the likely destination for this training,, due to the relatively reduced cost to pursue this program there as compared to doing it in Europe, especially the UK and Netherlands. If any one has a better idea of where one can Build Up his career in Logistics and SCM locally or abroad, please share.

Another important aspect in the logistics and SCM business, is having a working knowledge of the most comely used ERP application software’s for Example SAP
(Logistics) and SCM, Modules. The Cost of learning this application here in Nigeria is over the roof top, that’s if u are an individual like myself yarning to take this courses. SAP training school in Nigeria is located in Abuja and Lagos

Currently I have working experience with Navision attain ERP and ARIBA spend mgt E-procurement application (Buyer interface).

I will also want to suggest that if anyone out there has an idea of where one can learn, JD Edward (inventory software) and other Hot ERP applications commonly used by big firms. To please lets us in on it.

I hope we can share ideas and build a very interesting and informative discuss on this and even much more.

I am a Indian Chartered Accountant also CISA, CISSP, Cost Acct with 24 years experience, in Nigeria for almost 2 years, currently getting into Managing a logistics function.

I am interested in picking up knowledge on Navision specially in context of SOX and Taxonomy.Also need to pick up knowlege on clearing practices and procedures in nigeria as I have to manage clearing agents and a logistics function.

Continued at another thread on 'logistics or supply chain management'.

Logistics: A Subset of Supply Chain Management

This write-up will be of great interest to all professionals who work in the areas of operations management, logistics, procurement and information technology, and to all learners who are interested in developing a career in the area of supply chain management.
Supply Chain Management and how it can be a key component in organizational success:
 You will learn how modern supply chain ecosystems now comprise of a network of companies, countries and their governments, social and political organizations, natural, industrial, financial and human resources, delivery infrastructure including business logistics and Information Technology, and knowledge of the industrial environment.
 You will see how within these ecosystems, each configuration is unique to the particular enterprise that owns that supply chain. It is said that in today's market, firms don't compete, supply chains do.
This explains what supply chain design is and provides insights on how to design supply chains to give them competitive advantages over competing supply chains.
Supply chain risk management (SCRM) is "the implementation of strategies to manage both everyday and exceptional risks along the supply chain based on continuous risk assessment with the objective of reducing vulnerability and ensuring continuity" elements. The aim of SCRM is to reduce supply chain vulnerability by identifying and managing risks within the supply chain and external to it.


Logistics as a Subset of SCM
Physical distribution and logistics were envisioned to have broad responsibilities for managing activities associated with product flow from the points of raw material acquisition to the end consumer.
 Although the scope of the field was extensive, actual management practice was generally limited to coordination of activities within the logistics function or among those activities associated with product flow. Boundary-spanning management was embraced but little practiced.
 Second, the total cost concept served as the basis for managing certain activities collectively. Activities such as transportation and inventory control were collectively managed because they were in cost conflict. All those activities associated with product flow and displaying this cost tradeoff characteristic were considered a part of the new field of physical distribution or logistics.
 Third, physical distribution and logistics were embraced by both marketing and production areas, but they gave little attention to issues of product flow. As a result, physical distribution and logistics began to develop as an independent function within business. This action was spurred by the recognition that logistics costs were high and that there was an unrealized opportunity to reduce them.
 Fourth, among the areas of purchasing, production, and physical distribution, there was little coordination, even though they had a direct effect on product flow management. This coordination was to become a major theme in later years.

There has been an attempt to distinguish logistics from supply chain management, declaring logistics to be a subset of supply chain management. According to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) defines supply chain management as follows:
Supply Chain Management encompasses the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing and procurement, conversion, and all logistics management activities. Importantly, it also includes coordination and collaboration with channel partners, which can be suppliers, intermediaries, third-party service providers, and customers. In essence, supply chain management integrates supply and demand management within and across companies.

Supply Chain Management is an integrating function with primary responsibility for linking major business functions and business processes within and across companies into a cohesive and high-performing business model. It includes all of the logistics management activities noted above, as well as manufacturing operations, and it drives coordination of processes and activities with and across marketing, sales, product design, finance and information technology.
— CSCMP

Whereas, CSCMP defines logistics to be:
Logistics Management is that part of SCM that plans, implements, and controls the efficient forward-reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and point of consumption in order to meet customer requirements.
In these two definitions, first note that procurement (i.e., purchasing/) and conversion (i.e., production) are now explicitly included in the scope of managing material flows. Second, emphasis is placed on coordination, collaboration and relationship building among channel members that are missing from logistics management.

Put another way, supply chain management can be viewed as having three dimensions. These are activity and process administration, inter-functional coordination, and inter-organizational coordination. Activity and process administration is much of what logistics has been doing.
That is, managing activities such as transportation, inventories, warehousing, and order processing that are within the responsibility of the logistics function. Inter-functional coordination refers to collaborating and building relationships with other functional areas in the same firm, such as with marketing and finance. Inter-organizational coordination has to do with collaborating and coordinating product flows among channel members, i.e., those companies that are not owned or operated by the immediate firm.

Based on collaboration with industry leaders, Lambert et al. (Lambert et al., 1998) defined eight key sub-processes for supply chain management. These are
(1) Customer relationship management,
(2) Customer service management
(3) Demand management
(4) Order fulfillment
(5) Manufacturing flow management
(6) Supplier relationship management
(7) Product development and commercialization, and
( Returns management.

Taken together, they represent supply chain management in its entirety. These processes are to be coordinated through collaboration and relationship management throughout the various echelons of the supply channel, from initial suppliers to end consumers.

Professional Certifications and Their Fields of Relevance

Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task. Not all certifications that use post-nominal letters are an acknowledgement of educational achievement, or an agency appointed to safeguard the public interest.

Professional Certification is a qualification of professional competence and technical knowhow in the field of the subject matter.

Who is a professional?
1. Person formally certified by a professional body of belonging to a specific profession by virtue of having completed a required course of studies or practice. And whose competence can usually be measured against an established set of standards.
2. A professional is a member of a profession or any person who earns their living from a specified activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skills necessary to perform the role of that profession. In addition, most professionals are subject to strict codes of conduct enshrining rigorous ethical and moral obligations. Professional standards of practice and ethics for a particular field are typically agreed upon and maintained through widely recognized professional associations. Some definitions of "professional" limit this term to those professions that serve some important aspect of public interest and the general good of society.

In some cultures, the term is used as shorthand to describe a particular social stratum of well-educated workers who enjoy considerable work autonomy and who are commonly engaged in creative and intellectually challenging work.

Certifications are earned from a professional society, a certification body, or from a private certifier, for some specific certifications (e.g., Microsoft, Cisco, etc.). Some certifications must be renewed periodically, or may be valid for a specific period of time (e.g., the lifetime of the product upon which the individual is certified). As a part of a complete renewal of an individual's certification, it is common for the individual to show evidence of continued learning—often termed continuing education—or earning continuing education units (CEU).
Many certification programs are created, sponsored, or affiliated with professional associations, trade organizations, or private vendors interested in raising standards. Many of those programs completely independent from membership organizations enjoy association support and endorsement.

The growth of certification programs is also a reaction to the changing employment market. Certifications are portable, since they do not depend on one company's definition of a certain job. Certification stands about the resume and the professional reference by being an impartial, third-party endorsement of an individual's professional knowledge and experience.

Certifications are usually earned from a professional society or educational institute, not the government. However, a government agency can decree a certification, is required by law for a person to be allowed to perform a task or job. Certification is different from professional licensure. In the United States, professional licenses are usually issued by state agencies, having as a requirement the university title for that profession. In other countries, licensing is granted by the professional society or college, but you need to be certified after some years (usually three to five) and soon thereafter.


Professional Certificates Awarded By Professional Bodies
Many professional bodies grant professional certificates as an award for the completion of an educational program. The curriculum of a professional certificate is most often in a focused subject matter. Many other professional certificates offer the same courses as master's degrees in the same subject, but require the student to take fewer total courses to complete the program. Some professional certificates have a curriculum that is more closely resembles a baccalaureate major in the same field. The typical professional certificate program is between 200-300 class-hours in size. It is uncommon for a program to be larger or smaller than that. Most professional certificate programs are open enrollment, but some have admissions processes. A few professional bodies put some of their professional certificates into a subclass they refer to as advanced professional certificates.
Some of the more commonly offered professional certificates include:

Professional Certificate in Logistics and Transport
Logistician is the Profession in the logistics & transport sectors, including sea, air, land and rail modes. Professional qualification for logisticians usually carries post-nominal letters. Common examples include:
• MILT (Member Institute of Logistics and Transport) conferred by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT),
• CMILT (Chartered Member, Institute of Logistics and Transport) conferred by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
• FCILT (Chartered Fellow, Institute of Logistics and Transport) conferred by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)

Professional Certificates in Contract Management
Contract management or contract administration is the management of contracts made with customers, vendors, partners, or employees. The personnel involved in Contract Administration required to negotiate, support and manage effective contracts are expensive to train and retain. Contract management includes negotiating the terms and conditions in contracts and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions, as well as documenting and agreeing on any changes or amendments that may arise during its implementation or execution. It can be summarized as the process of systematically and efficiently managing contract creation, execution, and analysis for the purpose of maximizing financial and operational performance and minimizing risk.
• CCMP (Certified Contract Management Professional) conferred by The Institute of Contract, Project and Facility Management
• AICPFM (Associate: conferred by The Institute of Contract, Project and Facility Management
• MICPFM (Chartered Member: conferred by Institute of Contract, Project and Facility Management
• FICPFM (Fellow: conferred by The Institute of Contract, Project and Facility Management

Professional Certificate in Facility management
Facility management can be defined as an aspect of engineering management science that deals with the planning, designing, co-ordination of space and maintenance of a built environment to enhance quality service management system. Service Quality System includes activities like security, maintenance, catering, and external as well as internal cleaning. In general, it is also the coordination and harmonization of various specialist disciplines to create the best possible working environment for staff.

Facility management is an interdisciplinary field devoted to the coordination of space, infrastructure, people and organization, often associated with the administration of office blocks, arenas, schools, convention centers, shopping complexes, hospitals, hotels, etc. However, FM facilitates on a wider range of activities than just business services and these are referred to as non-core functions.
• CFMP (Certified Facility Management Professional) conferred by The Institute of Contract, Project and Facility Management
• AICPFM (Associate: conferred by The Institute of Contract, Project and Facility Management
• MICPFM (Chartered Member: conferred by The Institute of Contract, Project and Facility Management
• FICPFM (Fellow: conferred by The Institute of Contract, Project and Facility Management

Professional Certificates in Project management
Certification is of significant importance in the project management (PM) industry. Certification refers to the evaluation and recognition of the skills, knowledge and competence of a practitioner in the field.
Project management certifications come in a variety of flavors:
• Competence-based programs wherein an individual must provide evidence of actual, on-the-job performance
• Knowledge-based programs wherein an individual must pass an exam
• Experience-based programs wherein an individual must provide evidence of training or education in the field.
Combination of Competence-based, Knowledge-based, and Experience-based
• PMP Project Management Professional conferred by the PMI (Project Management Institute)
• International Project Management Association (IPMA)
• CPMP (Chartered Project Management Professional) conferred by The Chartered Institute of Project Management (CIPM)
• ACIPM (Associate Member: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Project Management (CIPM)
• FCIPM (Chartered Fellow Member: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Project Management (CIPM)
• CPM Certified Project Manager conferred by the CIPM (Chartered Institute of Project Management)
• CAPM Certified Associate in Project Management conferred by the PMI (Project Management Institute)
• PMI - ACP Project Management Institute - Agile Certified Practitioner conferred by the PMI (Project Management Institute)

Professional Certificate in Customer relationship management
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a system for managing a company’s interactions with current and future customers. It often involves using technology to organize, automate and synchronize sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support.
• CCSP (Chartered Customer Service Professional) conferred by CICRM Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management - CICRM is supported by more than 30 industries and helps in the U.S. and some Africa Countries - this certification provides essential skills to improve effective and service quality and customer relationship management in all industries.
• ACICRM (Associate Member: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management
• MCICRM (Chartered Member: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management
• FCICRM (Chartered Fellow: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management


Professional Certificate in Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management (SCM) is the management of the flow of goods. It includes the movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption. Interconnected or interlinked networks, channels and node businesses are involved in the provision of products and services required by end customers in a supply chain.
Supply chain management has been defined as the "design, planning, execution, control, and monitoring of supply chain activities with the objective of creating net value, building a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, synchronizing supply with demand and measuring performance globally.
SCM draws heavily from the areas of operations management, logistics, procurement, and information technology, and strives for an integrated approach.

Supply chain professionals certification is highly valued by both individuals and recruiting companies as it guarantees a certain level of expertise on Supply Chain Body of Knowledge. There are several certification exams developed for Supply Chain Professionals including:
- CISCM (Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management),
- APICS (the Association for Operations Management),
- CIWMM (Certified Institute of Warehousing and Materials Management
- IOSCM (Institute of Supply Chain Management).

APICS' certification is called Certified Supply Chain Professional, or CSCP, and CISCM'S certification is called the Chartered Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). Another, the Institute for Supply Management, is developing one called the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) focused on the Procurement and Sourcing areas of Supply Chain Management, also called Supply management. Certified Institute of Warehousing and Materials Management is the main certifying body for Certified Stores and Materials Manager with the designations having global reciprocity.
• ACISCM (Associate Member: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management
• MCISCM (Chartered Full Member: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management
• FCISCM (Chartered Fellow Member: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management
• CSCMP (Chartered Supply Chain Management Professional: conferred by The Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management



Professional Certificate in Purchasing and Supply
Purchasing is a subset of supply chain management. Purchasing deals primarily with managing all aspects related to the inputs to an organization (i.e., purchased goods, materials, and services), while supply chain management deals with inputs, conversion, and outputs. – nextlevelpurchasing.com

Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) exists to promote and develop high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in purchasing and supply chain management. CIPS assists individuals, organisations and the profession as a whole.

For any business spending money is the first step towards making money. Spend too much money on goods and services and the cost eats away at profits. Spend too little and the quality of goods or services can be damaged. Both scenarios put the business in jeopardy so effective procurement is essential.
Whether you're thinking of a career in procurement and supply management or looking for your next job within the profession, CIPS can help.

MCIPS ( Member: conferred by Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply
FCIPS ( Fellow: conferred by Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply


Professional Certificates in Warehousing and Materials Management
A warehouse management system (WMS) is a key part of the supply chain and primarily aims to control the movement and storage of materials within a warehouse and process the associated transactions, including shipping, receiving, put away and picking. The systems also direct and optimize stock put away based on real-time information about the status of bin utilization. A WMS monitors the progress of products through the warehouse. It involves the physical warehouse infrastructure, tracking systems, and communication between product stations.
More precisely, warehouse management involves the receipt, storage and movement of goods, (normally finished goods), to intermediate storage locations or to a final customer. In the multi-echelon model for distribution, there may be multiple levels of warehouses. This includes a central warehouse, a regional warehouses (serviced by the central warehouse) and potentially retail warehouses (serviced by the regional warehouses).
• CSMMP (Certified Stores and Materials Management Professional: conferred by The Certified Institute of Warehousing and Materials Management
• ACIWM (Associate Member: conferred by The Certified Institute of Warehousing and Materials Management
• MCIWM (Chartered Member: conferred by The Certified Institute of Warehousing and Materials Management
• FCIWM (Fellow: conferred by The Certified Institute of Warehousing and Materials Management


By: Samuel, O. Masebinu, Esq.
B.Sc, MBA, M.Sc (Mgt), M.Phil, ACIPurS, ACIWM, ACMA,AMIMS (UK), AIPFM (UK), ANIMN (Chartered Marketer) ACPA, CPM (USA), CPMP, MICRM, MCISM (Ghana), MCILT (UK), FRSA, FBMA (UK), FCIMS (Doctoral Fellow) USA.
Director of Studies,
College of Supply Chain Management,

While many people equate the supply chain with logistics, logistics is actually just one component of the supply chain. Modern digitally controlled SCM systems include material handling and software for all parties involved in product or service creation, order fulfillment and information tracking, such as suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, transportation and logistics providers, and retailers. For this I prefer to use SSH Client for Android.

Enroll with ERP Software Management for your CIPS training from Certificate to Diploma Qualifications. Your Accredited CIPS Study and Exam Centre.
Visit Our website : www.scm.erpsm.co.za
Email: admin@erpsm.co.za

CIPS study center

Join our CIPS classes.

An Overview of the Diploma Offered by ERP Software Management

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) is a globally recognized professional body for procurement and supply chain management. Its certifications are widely respected and provide the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the procurement profession. One such certification is CIPS Level 5 Diploma, which is offered by ERP Software Management.

ERP Software Management is an approved CIPS training center that offers training courses to individuals and organizations on procurement and supply chain management. The CIPS Level 5 Diploma is designed to provide learners with a deeper understanding of procurement and supply chain management and the necessary skills to implement best practices.

The CIPS Level 5 Diploma is a comprehensive program that covers topics such as managing contracts and relationships in procurement and supply, commercial negotiations, managing risks in supply chains, and ethical and responsible sourcing. The diploma program is divided into five units, each covering a specific area of procurement and supply chain management.

Read Also: Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Level 6

Unit 1: Managing Teams and Individuals
Unit 1 of the CIPS Level 5 Diploma, which covers Managing Teams and Individuals, is a crucial component of the program. The unit aims to equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage individuals and teams within the context of procurement and supply chain management.

Leadership styles are an essential aspect of managing individuals and teams. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of different leadership styles and their respective strengths and weaknesses. They will also learn how to adapt their leadership style to suit different situations and team members.

Team development is another crucial aspect of managing individuals and teams. Learners will gain an understanding of team dynamics and how to build high-performing teams. They will also learn how to identify and address team issues and conflicts that may arise in the procurement and supply chain management context.

Motivation is an important driver of individual and team performance. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of motivation theories and how to apply them to motivate individuals and teams. They will also learn how to create a positive work environment and culture that promotes motivation and engagement.

Performance management is a critical aspect of managing individuals and teams. Learners will gain an understanding of performance management principles and practices, including setting performance targets, conducting performance reviews, and providing feedback and support to team members. They will also learn how to manage underperformance and take corrective action when necessary.

Overall, the knowledge and skills gained in this unit will enable learners to effectively manage individuals and teams within the procurement and supply chain management context, leading to improved performance, productivity, and outcomes.

Unit 2: Managing Contractual Relationships
Unit 2 of the CIPS Level 5 Diploma, which covers Managing Contractual Relationships, is a critical component of the program. This unit is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of contract management within the procurement and supply chain management context.

The legal aspects of procurement are a crucial component of contract management. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of procurement law and regulations, including contract law, intellectual property law, and international trade law. They will also learn how to ensure compliance with legal requirements when managing contracts.

Contract development is another critical aspect of contract management. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of the contract development process, including contract formation, negotiation, and execution. They will also learn how to develop effective contracts that clearly define responsibilities, obligations, and performance targets.

Negotiation is an essential skill for contract management. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of negotiation tactics and strategies, including how to prepare for negotiations, how to manage the negotiation process, and how to handle difficult situations. They will also learn how to negotiate in a way that fosters positive long-term relationships with suppliers and other stakeholders.

Contract performance management is a critical component of contract management. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of how to monitor and evaluate contract performance, including how to identify and manage contract risks and how to take corrective action when necessary. They will also learn how to manage contract variations and how to maintain effective communication with suppliers throughout the contract lifecycle.

The knowledge and skills gained in this unit will enable learners to effectively manage contractual relationships within the procurement and supply chain management context, leading to improved supplier relationships, reduced risk, and better value for money.

Unit 3: Managing Ethical and Sustainable Supply Chains
Unit 3 of the CIPS Level 5 Diploma, which covers Ethical and Sustainable Procurement, is a critical component of the program. This unit is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of ethical and sustainable procurement within the procurement and supply chain management context.

Supplier selection is an essential aspect of ethical and sustainable procurement. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of supplier selection criteria and how to evaluate suppliers based on their ethical and sustainable practices. They will also learn how to conduct due diligence on potential suppliers to ensure they meet ethical and sustainability standards.

Sustainability assessments are another critical aspect of ethical and sustainable procurement. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of sustainability assessment frameworks, including environmental impact assessments and social impact assessments. They will also learn how to use these frameworks to assess the sustainability performance of suppliers and to identify areas for improvement.

Managing supplier relationships is a key aspect of ethical and sustainable procurement. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of how to develop and maintain effective relationships with suppliers that promote ethical and sustainable practices. They will also learn how to collaborate with suppliers to implement sustainability initiatives and monitor and evaluate supplier performance.

Overall, the knowledge and skills gained in this unit will enable learners to effectively implement ethical and sustainable procurement practices within the procurement and supply chain management context, leading to improved environmental and social outcomes, reduced risk, and better value for money.

Unit 4: Commercial Negotiation
Unit 4 of the CIPS Level 5 Diploma, which covers Commercial Negotiation, is a critical component of the program. This unit is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of commercial negotiation within the procurement and supply chain management context.

Negotiation planning is a critical aspect of commercial negotiation. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of how to develop a negotiation strategy, including setting negotiation objectives, identifying the other party’s interests, and developing a negotiation plan. They will also learn how to conduct research to gather information about the other party and to identify potential negotiation issues.

Tactics and strategies are essential components of successful commercial negotiation. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of different negotiation tactics and strategies, including distributive negotiation, integrative negotiation, and collaborative negotiation. They will also learn how to apply these tactics and strategies effectively to achieve a successful outcome.

Communication skills are a crucial aspect of commercial negotiation. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of how to communicate effectively during a negotiation, including how to listen actively, ask effective questions, and provide clear and persuasive arguments. They will also learn how to manage difficult conversations and how to build rapport with the other party.

Overall, the knowledge and skills gained in this unit will enable learners to effectively conduct commercial negotiations within the procurement and supply chain management context, leading to improved outcomes, reduced risk, and better value for money.

Unit 5: Managing Risk in Supply Chains
Unit 5 of the CIPS Level 5 Diploma, which covers Risk Management in Supply Chains, is a critical component of the program. This unit is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of risk management within the procurement and supply chain management context.

Risk identification is an essential aspect of risk management in supply chains. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of how to identify different types of risks, including supply chain risks such as disruptions in the supply chain, geopolitical risks, and natural disasters. They will also learn how to conduct risk assessments to determine the likelihood and impact of these risks.

Risk mitigation is another critical aspect of risk management in supply chains. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of different risk mitigation strategies, including risk avoidance, risk reduction, risk sharing, and risk transfer. They will also learn how to develop risk mitigation plans to minimize the impact of risks on the supply chain.

Contingency planning is an important aspect of risk management in supply chains. In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of how to develop contingency plans to manage risks when they occur. They will also learn how to test and refine these plans to ensure they are effective.

The CIPS Level 5 Diploma is assessed through written exams and assignments. ERP Software Management provides learners with all the necessary resources and supports to prepare for the exams and complete the assignments. These resources may include textbooks, study guides, practice exams, and online resources. Learners may also have access to tutors or mentors who can provide guidance and support throughout the program.

Conclusion
the CIPS Level 5 Diploma offered by ERP Software Management is an excellent choice for individuals looking to advance their careers in procurement and supply chain management. The diploma provides learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the profession and is recognized globally by employers and professional bodies.