L4M1 Sample Questions FV07.2020

CIPS Level 4 – Diploma in Procurement and Supply
Scope and influence of

procurement and supply
[L4M1]
Sample Questions
Leading global excellence in procurement and supply

(Q1) INFONT Logistics International Ltd
INFONT is a reputable logistics company with headquarters at its multimillion dollar Distribution Centre
located just ten miles from the country’s main sea port. The port handles all bulk imports and exports of its
clients. INFONT also owns two warehouses within the country and has contracted an agent in each of the
other five countries in the region. The services INFONT provides to its clients include warehousing, packaging
and transportation of their finished products or production materials. It owns and operates transport vehicles,
folk lift trucks and other material handling equipment (MHE). INFONT uses 10% of its warehouse space for its
maintenance, repair and operational (MRO) requirements such as oils and tyres for the vehicles; pallets and
plastic sheets for repacking split deliveries to clients; etc. In order to maintain the high level of service to its
clients, a substantial part of the operating expenditure budget is allocated to staff and consultancy expenses.
In addition, significant capital expenditure is also spent on a range of storage and handling equipment,
vehicles and IT infrastructure. INFONT’s agents are contractually required to maintain the same level of space
for their MRO requirements.
Some well-known retailers and manufacturers are loyal clients and they rely on INFONT’s high quality logistics
services for their own successful competition in the market. INFONT’s business had been stable and growing
prior to year 1.
Extracts from the Financial Statements and Budgets: INFONT Logistics International Ltd
Year 1 $000 Year 2 $000 Next Year (Plan) $000
Turnover 33400 32800 30000
Gross Profit 9350 9840 9000
Operating Expenditure 4010 4920 6500
Capital Expenditure 1110 2060 9850
However, due to concerns over deteriorating agency service levels, INFONT has decided that next year it will
not renew the contract with its agent in the neighbouring country. Instead it will purchase and directly
operate its own warehouse in that country. This is a major decision that will require a complex analysis of
INFONT’s budget which involves many categories of spend to be considered in acquiring and operating the
new warehousing facility.
Question One
Describe FIVE distinctive features of capital procurements, using examples from INFONT scenario.
[25 marks]
LO: 1
AC: 1.1
2
(Q2)
Question Two
a) Identify the main stages of a sourcing process (also known as the purchasing or procurement cycle).
[9 marks]
LO: 2
AC: 2.1
b) Describe FOUR benefits of using electronic systems in the sourcing process.

[6 marks]
LO: 2
AC: 2.3
(Q3)
Question Three
Explain FIVE reasons why it is important to maintain effective governance standards within the procurement
function.
[25 marks]
LO: 3
AC: 3.1
(Q4) Milkshake Press
The executive board at Milkshake Press set its new three-year business strategy to “increase profitability by
improving effectiveness and efficiency across all business areas”. To help achieve this, a new head of
procurement, Martina Schweer was appointed to ensure that procurement activities were aligned to the new
strategy. Martina arranged a meeting with the procurement team to start discussions about the strategy but
was surprised to learn that the team had not previously considered overall profitability beyond negotiating
the lowest price with suppliers.
Milkshake Press is a brand of milkshake mix sold in cafes and retail outlets in the United Kingdom and China.
With offices in China and the UK, Milkshake Press directly employs 250 staff and has a procurement team of
eight, three of whom are based in China.
As part of the strategy, Milkshake Press has developed a business plan which focussed on innovation. The
most popular flavours were chocolate, banana, and strawberry. The brand has successfully increased its
market share by 5%, by introducing new flavours like lime and cherry. They also undertook a successful re-
branding exercise which increased their market share in China by 15%.
3
Question Four
Discuss FIVE ways in which the objective of profitability at Milkshake Press, might impact on its procurement
activities.
[25 marks]
LO: 4
AC: 4.3

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CIPS Level 4 – Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Scope and influence of

Leading global excellence in procurement and supply

b) Describe FOUR benefits of using electronic systems in the sourcing process.

(Q4) Milkshake Press

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