Data
from the latest CIPS/Hays Procurement Salary Guide and Insight 2017 report
reveals that more than half of sub-Saharan professionals received a raise in
the last year, but that men still earn more than women peers at senior level
jobs. Where women hold their own salary-wise, however, tends to be in the areas
of managerial, operational and tactical levels.
The report is co-ordinated by The Chartered institute of Procurement &
Supply (CIPS) in partnership with recruiting experts Hays Procurement, and draws
from reported information of over 4000 global procurement professionals.
Responses to the survey were received from the UK, Australia, Middle East, as
well as sub-Saharan Africa, and covered a wide range of professional levels
including advanced professionals (for example, procurement director),
managerial (such as a senior buyer), operational (buyer) and tactical
(assistant buyer).
Andre Coetzee, managing director of CIPS Africa said in a release about the
report that he was pleased to see the perceived value of procurement in the
region rising. “With risk on the increase around the world ... procurement
professionals have become the guardians of the enterprise to advise businesses
on a range of issues,” he said.
Andre and the CIPS release also noted with pride that their MCIPS qualification
continued to demonstrate value and have an affect on salary, arguing “MCIPS
offers rewards and returns in equal measure as procurement managers earn on
average, significantly more than non-members and are highly sought-after.”
Some top level insights included:
• Despite a downturn in the economy, 41% received a bonus in the last 12 months;
• 57% of Sub-Saharan professionals received a salary increase in the last 12 months;
• In a change from 2016 when the Private Sector reported the highest average salaries, last year's top performer was the Charity/Not For Profit sector;
• Men earn more than women at more senior levels, especially at Advanced Professional level where the pay gap is 26%;
• Unlike the UK and in line with last year, women tend to earn more than men at Managerial, Operational and Tactical levels;
• Procurement management professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa with MCIPS designation earn on average 38% more than non-MCIPS.
Chasing
equality
The
inequality between genders continues to be a cause concern. As highlighted
above, the survey found that men were more likely to earn more at senior level,
advanced level than women with a 26% gap. Specifically, men at an advanced
professional level received the equivalent of around £31.9k, compared to women
earning roughly £25.4k.
Climbing
the (salary) ladder
Over
half (57%) of respondents reported that they had received a salary increase in
the last 12 months, and 41% received a bonus. In terms of benefits, pensions
were the most common (55%). Interestingly, flexible working were highly
reported by respondents in the UK and Australia, but did not even make the top
five benefits list in sub-Saharan Africa. “Other benefits received by
professionals in the region included private medical insurance (41%); death in
service benefit (28%); free mobile (23%),” said the report.
Recruitment
woes
Nearly
half (48%) repondednts reported that they struggled to recruit the “right
talent in procurement staff” within the last year. The challenges they faced
therin included “budget restraints, candidate expectations, and a lack of
sector skills and experience”.
A
new set of skills
According
to the study, “communication and soft skills were seen as crucial in job
performance (75-89%) and could be seen as a reflection of how the profession
has developed in the region in recent years”.
Perception
of profession
The
report also includes some revealing qualitative insights about the perception
of the industry. Eight out of ten respondents agreed that “procurement was
highly-regarded and valued in organisations”.
The report argues that “the most striking improvement” is the number of
professionals who felt that peers and coworkers in other departments understood
what procurement specialists can offer:
• 76% for directors/heads of other departments compared to 71% last year’
• and 70% for staff in other departments compared to 64% last year.
This, they suggest, “could be an indicator that the developing profession of
procurement and supply is maturing in the region”.
You can request a copy of the report from www.cips.org/hays
Contributed
by Kate Ferreira, the Contributing Editor of Bespoke Procurement Bulletin
