The aim and objective of this module are to provide learners with an understanding of the key principles underlying procurement and the role that procurement plays in an organisation. The purpose is to also provide learners with an understanding of the Requisition to Pay process for low value purchases, and the legislative basis and key principles of public procurement. As we do not buy in a static and stand-alone environment, we also need to address the broader context within which the learners work. So the further aim is also to provide learners with an understanding of the types of organisation and how best to organise and manage the issues involved in matching the demands of the organisation in the commercial environment and the role of procurement and supply in that process. We need to ensure that learners will get a more in-depth understanding of the framework required for integrating business analysis. The purpose is for them to full understand the role of procurement and supply chain in a wider organisation.

The below key elements will be part of the main syllabus for the introduction of professional purchasing: • Introduction: Procurement is an essential value-adding activity, able to make a significant contribution to the efficient operation and profitability of the organisation. This module provides the learner with an introduction to the management of procurement and supply chain activities within an organisation. It provides an over view of the nature, scope and content of the professional procurement task. • Objectives of Procurement: The "5 Rights", to acquire the right quality of material, at the right time, in the right quantity, from the right source and at the right price. • The Requisition to Pay Process: Organisational Policy; Segregation of Duties; Key Control Points; Catalogue Buying; Non-Catalogue Buying. • Public Procurement Environment: TFEU Procurement Principles; Basics of EU Directives and Procurement Procedures; National Competitive Process (low value purchases); • Ethics in Public Procurement: The imperative for ethical behaviour; Risks, Weaknesses and Vulnerabilities in the Public Procurement Process. Processes and Tools to Enhance Ethical Behaviour. The below key elements will be part of the main syllabus for the Organisational Procurement and the Commercial Environment Introduction: As the global economy becomes more integrated, procurement and supply professionals must be able to recognise these changes; identify their impacts on supply matters and know how to respond in the interests of their organisations. This module provides learners with an understanding of the various type of organisations and current issues impacting on the competitive position of the organisation and introduces them to the professional procurement principles and practices. - Types of Organisations and their Key Attributes: private sector firms, public bodies, semi state agencies, voluntary & not for profit agencies - The Commercial Environment: Introduction to the commercial environment; internal and external aspects; external factors impacting on procurement and supply; local versus global supply. - The Procurement Operation: Procurement and organisational variables; procurement and the product variables; the procurement cycle; procurement procedures; the basis of a contract; procurement documentation and automation. - Procurement and Supply Environment - Procurement and Supply Environment: The scope and role of procurement and supply within the organisation; the contribution of procurement to profitability; the value chain concept; procurement and cost reduction procurement; procurement and inter-functional relationships. - Procurement and Supply Activities: The evolution of professional procurement; the contribution of procurement to the achievement of organisational objectives; corporate responsibility and the procurement environment; the procurement role in dealing with natural environment issues and ethics. - Analysing Requirements: - Main characteristics of specifications; performance and conformance specifications; specifying goods and services; service level agreements (SLAs); managing quality, quality control and quality assurance; the customer service imperative. - Costing Requirements: Capital and revenue procurement techniques; Request for Quotations (RFQ) process; quotation analysis; e-sourcing/e-procurement. - Supply Requirements - Providing Requirements: The sourcing stages; the good supplier; sourcing policy decision areas; supplier appraisal/evaluation; ethical sourcing and trading; the negotiation process; introduction to commercial relationships. - Supplying Requirements: Standardisation and variety reduction; value analysis and value engineering; total acquisition cost (TAC); methods of reducing TAC; dependent and independent demand; materials requirements planning; enterprise resource planning; e-procurement models and benefits etc.

On successful completion of the session of introduction of professional purchasing in this module, learners should be able to: • Demonstrate an understanding of the objectives of procurement in an organisation. • Demonstrate an understanding of the key aspects of the Requisition to Pay Process. • Describe the key principles and requirements for procurement in the public procurement environment. • Describe the key considerations and processes for ensuring Ethical behaviours in the procurement process On successful completion of Organisational Procurement and the Commercial Environment session in this module, learners should be able to: • Describe the various types of organisations and their key attributes including private sector firms, public bodies, semi state agencies, voluntary & not for profit agencies • Explain the commercial environmental issues for their organisation • Explain the impact of technology and trends in procurement and supply on their organisation. • Outline an organisations corporate responsibility, and the ethical role of procurement. • Analyse the principles underlying supply requirements. • Analyse the key factors in providing and supplying requirements.

By completing this module, the learners will become aware of the key principles, the process and the commercial reality and context one needs to adhere when buying in the Public procurement environment. They will get an appreciation of the importance of the interdependencies, the compliance and will be able to communicate positively and respond with appropriate actions within the extended public procurement framework. They will satisfy themselves, their colleagues, their stakeholders and ultimately their organisation that they have the skillset, the acceptance, the conformance and the intention to buy better because of their gained knowledge. Their increased awareness and confidence will enable them to participate in shared learning and they will bring others on the improvement journey.

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The Module will be taught as a blended learning module. It has been designed with the 70-20-10 learning structure in mind (70-20-10 is based on Morgan McCall's research which found that 70% of learning comes from on-the-job experience and 20% from developmental relationships. Together, these two methods are often known as informal learning, since they don't follow a specified pattern and happen on their own. 10% of learning is down to formal training) and the pre-learning element will bring all the learners on the same baseline to get the best out of and deliver the right impact of the face-to-face 1-day lecture time. The post-learning and assignment activities will cement the pre- and face-to-face learnings. The assignment will be a reflective artefact with regards to the learnings of the module and how they can apply the learning in their day to day professional life. Blended learning module using the eLearning platform Moodle. Fulfilling UL Graduate Attributes: Knowledgeable - Demonstrate Critical Thinking; Insight into latest developments and theoretical thinking within consumer behaviour. Creative - Use of a modern eLearning platform; innovative teaching techniques and methods of assessment. Responsible - Appreciate the importance of a adopting a responsible approach to consumption. Collaborative - Use of social media, online platforms and eLearning environments. Articulate - Competency in conveying ideas clearly, effectively and professionally; recognition of the importance of effective written, verbal and digital communication skills.