Moving From Tactical to Strategic: How CIPS Training Fuelled a Executive Career Climb

In the fast-paced world of procurement and supply chain management, the transition from managing day-to-day operations to driving board-level strategy requires more than just time on the job. It demands a fundamental shift in perspective, a deep understanding of commercial law, and the confidence to lead through complex organizational change.

For Krisztina Richards, that pivotal shift happened through her journey with SR Supply Chain Consultants (SRSCC).

Having progressed through CIPS Level 4, 5, and 6 with SRSCC, Krisztina has successfully transitioned from her role as an Internal Sales and Logistics Manager into her upcoming position as Supply Chain and Procurement Manager at Inventor-e Limited.

Here is the story of how structured CIPS training transformed not only her daily professional capabilities but her entire approach to business leadership.

The Challenge: Expanding Beyond the Silo

Many supply chain professionals find themselves mastering their specific sector but lacking visibility into how other industries—or broader business functions—operate. Krisztina already possessed a diverse background across multiple industries, yet she recognised the need for a more holistic, strategic understanding of business operations, legal frameworks, and people management to reach the next level of her career.

To bridge this gap, she chose a structured pathway through CIPS qualifications, strategically selecting elective subjects tailored to her long-term career aspirations.

The Solution: A Comprehensive, Peer-Led Learning Environment

Studying CIPS Level 4, 5, and 6, with SRSCC provided Krisztina with an immersive learning experience that extended far beyond traditional textbook theory.

1. Cross-Sector Knowledge Sharing

One of the most impactful elements of the SRSCC interactive workshops was the opportunity to collaborate with peers from vastly different corporate backgrounds.

“I really enjoyed the workshops, particularly the opportunity to hear examples and experiences from other students working across different industries and sectors,” Krisztina explains. “As I have never worked in the public sector, it was especially valuable to gain insight into their challenges, processes, and ways of working.”

2. Industry-Expert Tutors

SRSCC’s tutors bring real-world, practical industry experience to the classroom. For Krisztina, this practical approach to teaching was critical for knowledge retention. Tutors like Greg provided detailed explanations and real-life examples that made complex legal and compliance frameworks instantly relatable and actionable.

3. Holistic Business Mastery

While CIPS is a procurement qualification, the curriculum delivered a much broader understanding of business operations. Krisztina found immense value in the legal, cultural, and strategic modules, which directly supported her in managing large teams and navigating modern operational challenges.

Discover how our blended CIPS training program can equip you with the strategic skills needed for executive leadership.

Explore Our CIPS Training Courses.

The Outcome: Board-Level Impact and Complete Professional Growth

The return on investment for both Krisztina and her employers has been substantial, spanning across two different roles during her studies:

  • Immediate Workplace Improvements: While completing Levels 4 and 5 with her previous employer, Krisztina drove significant improvements in her operational role and professional capability, particularly in people management and leading a large team.
  • Driving Future-Proofed Operations: In her current role at Inventor-e Limited, she has utilized her advanced knowledge to implement AI-supported processes, manage complex documentation, and ensure rigorous operational compliance.
  • Strategic Business Alignment: Armed with a deep understanding of international trade, procurement law, and supply chain logistics, Krisztina now directly supports wider business and board-level activities.

A Profound Personal Transformation

Beyond the impressive list of process improvements and her upcoming promotion to Supply Chain and Procurement Manager, the most significant change has been internal.

“The course has had a huge impact on both my career and personal development,” Krisztina reflects. “I feel I have grown tremendously as a person and have developed a completely different perspective in how I assess situations and approach challenges. The studies, combined with the support of excellent tutors, helped me become far more strategic in my thinking and decision-making.”

“Looking back, I hardly recognise the person I was when I first started the course.”

Why Choose SRSCC?

When asked why she would highly recommend SRSCC to other procurement professionals, Krisztina points directly to the standard of support:

“I would highly recommend SR Supply Chain Consultants because of the quality of teaching, support, and practical industry knowledge shared throughout the journey. The support from the tutors, especially Greg, played a huge part in my development and success.”

Ready to Transform Your Procurement Career?

Whether you are looking to secure your next promotion, transition from public to private sector, or build the strategic confidence required to influence board-level decisions, SRSCC is here to support you at every level of your CIPS journey.

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Discover our CIPS Courses

Our courses are designed to accelerate your career in the procurement and supply chain industries. If you would like to learn more about our courses, call the SRSCC team on 01772 282555 or complete our contact form. Start your journey to success today.

CIPS Level 3

Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations.

CIPS Level 4

Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

CIPS Level 5

Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

CIPS Level 6

Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

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Moving From Tactical to Strategic: How CIPS Training Fuelled a Executive Career Climb
2026-06-16T13:00:24+00:00
Declan Hemingway
Bethanie Stimpson SRSCC

Bethanie Stimpson

Progress Mentor

Bethanie began her career in the fitness industry, working as a personal trainer and gym instructor before becoming involved in coaching children through a triathlon club. This experience sparked her passion for working with young people and ultimately led her into a career in education. She initially worked in a nursery and later as a one-to-one teaching assistant in a primary school, before completing her teaching qualification and postgraduate studies. Since then, Bethanie has taught in both the private and state education sectors.

Her academic background includes a qualification in Sports Development, Fitness and Coaching at college, alongside a Childhood & Youth undergraduate degree (2:1). These studies have enabled her to combine her interests in sport, education, and child development, shaping her holistic approach to teaching and mentoring.

Bethanie is passionate about supporting learners to achieve their goals — educationally, personally, and in terms of wellbeing. She places strong emphasis on communication and relationship building, and takes great pride in helping individuals build confidence and overcome challenges. One of her proudest achievements has been supporting learners who initially doubted themselves to grow in confidence and achieve success.

Outside of work, Bethanie has always maintained a strong interest in sport. She previously competed in triathlons and now focuses on running and swimming. In 2023, she completed the London Marathon — an achievement she is particularly proud of. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their two dogs, which is where she is happiest when not working.

Ola Kambul

Skills Coach

Ola began her career in supply chain within fast-paced warehouse and logistics environments, where she developed a strong understanding of operations and people management. Her journey into the Supply Chain sector wasn’t planned, but through hands-on experience she discovered a passion for improving processes and supporting others – which naturally led her into training and development.

She has progressed through a range of roles across operations, recruitment, and training, including Programme Coach and L&D Lead. She designed and delivered apprenticeship programmes, supporting over 40 learners to successful completion and contributing to strong quality outcomes and inspection success.  Her transition into mentoring was driven by a desire to make a direct impact on people’s confidence, growth, and career progression.

Ola’s mentoring style is supportive, structured, and empowering. She combines real operational experience with coaching expertise, helping learners apply knowledge in practical workplace settings. One of her proudest career achievements has been supporting learners who started with low confidence to achieve distinctions and progress into new roles within their organisations. She has also led a UK-wide Mental Health First Aider network, embedding wellbeing into workplace culture and supporting colleagues through challenging situations.

From day one, she shares a consistent message with every learner: “You’re more capable than you think – but you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone to see it.”

Outside of work, Ola enjoys walking with her Border Collie, Luna, and cross stitching. She recommends Legacy by James Kerr to anyone in supply chain, for its powerful insights into leadership and culture. If she wasn’t working in mentoring and development, she would likely be pursuing a career as a Visual Merchandiser.

Jack Callaghan

Jack Moore

Operations Team Leader

In December 2023, Jack joined SRSCC as an Operations Coordinator and quickly established himself as a key member of the team.

Promoted to Team Leader in October 2024, Jack utilises his expertise in auditing processes and innovative problem-solving to identify and enhance growth opportunities.

Jack possesses a strong ability to analyse and refine systems and procedures, consistently uncovering chances for streamlining and automation that drive operational efficiency. He excels at communicating complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Detail-oriented yet big-picture focused, Jack applies his exceptional organisational skills to ensure the team adopts the most effective strategies for achieving both individual and collective goals.

His methodical approach and strategic mindset make Jack an invaluable asset to SRSCC, significantly contributing to the team’s success and the realisation of organisational objectives.