Coles Group achieves CIPS organisational certification

Supply Management, Oct 2, 2008

Coles Group is the first private sector company in Australia to achieve CIPS organisational certification for the excellence of its procurement policies and procedures.

Coles is a supermarket that operates over 740 stores throughout Australia and employs more than 92,000 people.

Jonathan Dutton (pictured), managing director of CIPS Australia, congratulated members of the strategic procurement team at Coles at a presentation ceremony in July. Senior management at Coles and its parent company, Wesfarmers, also attended.

From its origin in 1914 as a Western Australian farmers' co-operative, Wesfarmers has become one of Australia's largest and most successful companies that operates through a portfolio of diversified business interests.

Lian Knight (pictured), procurement services manager (non- merchandise) at Coles, thanked staff for dedicating their time and focus to the process of becoming certified, despite numerous changes to the organisation. "We knew we had a robust and functional process tailored to suit the demands of our customers that delivered solid results," she said. "Undertaking the CIPS organisational certification programme enabled us to benchmark ourselves against worldwide standards of excellence.

"We are delighted to achieve this accreditation. It confirms we are operating at a level of globally recognised standards. It also demonstrates we have a fair and transparent process when dealing with suppliers and that we are progressive, striving for continual improvement in what we do."

For more information about CIPS organisational certification in Australia contact Edward Rayner, corporate relationship manager at CIPS Australia, on 61 3 9629 6000, or Cristina Hubbard at Easton House on 01780 756777, e-mail cristina.hubbard@ cips.org or visit www.cips.org/membership/cipscertification.