Supply Chain News South Africa

Africa's first professional body for supply chain management launched

At the recent Sapics Conference which took place in Cape Town, the organisation launched Africa's first professional body for supply chain management.
Africa's first professional body for supply chain management launched
© Prasit Rodphan via 123RF

“For many years, Sapics has been at the forefront of the drive to professionalise the supply chain management profession. It was with pride that we announced the achievement of our objective to establish the Professional Body for Supply Chain Management at this year’s conference,” said Sapics president Mungo Park.

"As the Professional Body for Supply Chain Management, SAPICS aims to advance and standardise supply chain skills and practices across the continent," he said.

“The supply chain field is one of the business’ largest sectors, with touch points across virtually every aspect of every industry. It plays a key role in the success, sustainability and competitiveness of every organisation in the private sector as well as the public sector. It employs a vast percentage of the South African workforce; but up until now, it has been unregulated in terms of levels of competence, skills and ethics,” said Park.

He explained that by professionally designating individuals, the organisation will increase supply chain management competence, knowledge and skills, and industry professionals will have prescribed values and ethics to uphold.

The ongoing professional development required to maintain designations will reportedly ensure that African supply chain management keeps pace with global best practice so that optimised supply chains can drive the competitiveness and growth of African businesses and economies, he stated.

Five planned professional body designations

Sapics has launched the first two of five planned professional body designations for the industry.

“The entry-level ‘Professional Processor in Supply Chain Management (SCM)’ and the ‘Professional Specialist SCM’ designations have been launched. The other three designations will follow over the next few months,” he revealed.

According to Park, the rise of the supply chain profession is underway, and he believes it will gain momentum in the coming years, with the professionalisation of the industry and increasing recognition from businesses of the importance and value of the supply chain.

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