Sophie Stacey started her procurement journey working as a buyer for a family run business.
Sophie Stacey from Pontypridd studied fashion at university and is now a Senior Procurement Business Manager at NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP) following a career as a buyer for a Welsh department store.
Sophie explained:
“I started my procurement journey working as a buyer for a family run business. This was a private company where I procured for departments such as kitchen and tableware. I moved into the NHS in 2017 as a band 3 buyer for Cwm Taf UHB.”
Since joining, Sophie’s procurement career has gone from strength to strength, and she has worked her way up to a band 7 Senior Procurement Business Manager. In September 2022, thanks to a £5,754 investment by the Welsh Government and in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), Sophie completed her CIPS Advanced Award Practitioner in CIPS are the professional body for procurement, with a global track record for procurement excellence.
Sophie is one of 50 students who has completed the bespoke Welsh courses learning about Welsh policies and using Welsh examples to date. The scheme is part of the Welsh Government’s procurement capability and capacity programme, recognising the need to increase the long-term sustainability and growth of the procurement profession in Wales.
The CIPS students consist of existing procurement professionals from the Welsh public sector who commit to stay in the profession for 3 years after their course thereby helping to strengthen the profession in the longer term.
Sophie who is now considering studying for a Procurement and Supply Chain MSc. added:
“The Advanced Programme funded by the Welsh Government has provided me with the opportunity to become MCIPS in just 18 months and with 5 assignments.
“What most attracted me to this route of learning was the fact it was assignment rather than exam based. The course was a good pace to keep the momentum between assignments and there was a good level of support offered throughout.
“The programme allowed me to analyse the work I had completed throughout my career to see how far I had come. It has also given me more confidence in my day-to-day work.”
For further information about the Corporate Award Programme please see the Corporate Award Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner web pages.
Further information
Further information on courses offered by CIPS.
For further information on the Welsh Government capability and capacity programme, please e-mail: CommercialCapability@gov.wales