MCIPS professionals in Sub-Saharan-Africa earned 15% more in 2015 than non-CIPS professionals.
Those were the findings from over 4000 procurement professionals who contributed to the latest free salary guide from the Chartered institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) in partnership with recruiting experts Hays Procurement.
The “CIPS/Hays Procurement Salary Guide and Insight Report 2016” benchmarks different roles and profiles, and offers insights into career paths in procurement and supply management for permanent and interim contacts. Responses were received from the UK, Australia and sub-Saharan Africa. Various levels of seniority completed the survey including advanced professionals (such as procurement directors), managerial (senior buyers), operational (procurement specialists) and tactical (assistant buyers).
The guide is divided into sections relating to salaries, benefits and bonuses, procurement and supply management as a career, and the perception of procurement’s role in organisations.
Among the many findings, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the single most common benefit for professionals in the region was pension contributions, cited by 60% of respondents. The top five benefits for employees also included private medical insurance (46%), support for study and career development (36%), life assurance/death in service benefit (31%) and long service award (25%).
Key skills to do the job were uppermost in professionals’ minds. Communication and soft skills were highlighted as one of most important skillsets to do the job well, said between 81-89% of respondents at all job levels. At professional and advanced professional, the top key skills were also leaderships skills (94% and 91% respectively) and supplier relationship management (89% and 91% respectively).
At operational and tactical levels, relationship management was the top required skill with 85% and 79% of respondents. At managerial levels, negotiation was the top skill cited by 90% of respondents.
One of the biggest positives from the survey found that 81% of respondents agreed that procurement is valued amongst sub-Saharan organisations. At a time when worldwide supply chain risks are increasing, the procurement and supply chain management professional will play a large role in mitigating against those risks.
David Noble, group CEO at CIPS, comments: “This year, in particular, it is obvious that there has been a significant rise in confidence. Businesses are becoming more confident that securing trained and professionalised staff is the route to success and the way to tackle some serious issues in the world. Over 35,8-million people are suffering from modern slavery and many are working in our supply chains.
“That 55% of professionals received a salary increase in the region comes as no surprise, as these are individuals with a high level of learning and experience. We see greater confidence amongst our professionals to demand higher salaries for excellence.”
Andre Coetzee, MD of CIPS Africa, says: “Given the obvious skills shortage it is no wonder that the hunt for talent is as fierce as it is.
“The implication of this skills shortage is that organizations are prepared to pay more for people with the right skillset. MCIPS epitomises professionalism and hence the premium employers are prepared to pay for professionals that hold the MCIPS designation.”
John Glen, CIPS economist and senior lecturer in economics at Cranfield University, says: “This year’s report clearly indicates that the strong demand for procurement professionals has continued in the UK with demand consistently out-pacing supply, and is mirrored in Australia and sub-Saharan Africa.
“In general the outlook for procurement professionals is good. Demand for their services outstrips supply and this is reflected in healthy wage appreciation. Perhaps just as important, is the increased desire on the part of employers to train and develop new entrants to the profession as well as seasoned professionals.”
