Why you owe your Valentine’s Day to Procurement

It’s that time again, the most romantic day of the year (according to companies selling us things!).  Whether you love or loathe Valentine’s Day have you ever thought that you owe your romantic celebration to the hard work of Procurement & Supply Chain? No..well then let me fill you in on how we are the superheroes that make Valentines happen!

People are estimated to have spent $23.9 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2022—up from $21.8 billion in 2021 and the second-highest year on record.  In the UK alone last year the estimated total spent on Valentine’s cards and presents is £155 million.  This is a big business and love alone doesn’t get the cards and presents delivered – this is us in supply chain with a large helping hand from logistics.

  1. We source the raw materials – and help to make these responsible & ethical. A study done by the WWF found mixed tropical hardwood in the card makeup from many UK high street retailers.  This wood is taken from South East Asia, primarily Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Indonesia and Malaysia have the highest rates of deforestation in the world, as a procurement professional we can help our supply chain be responsible and sustainable
  1. We forecast the likely demand to ensure that there is enough supply to meet the demand: Roses are in high demand around Valentine’s Day, causing prices to surge.

Roses typically make it from soil to store within 60 hours or less before being purchased by customers for Valentine’s Day celebrations. After February 14th passes, demand drops drastically causing prices to return back down again.  Without correct forecasting by the procurement & supply chain teams you wouldn’t be able to receive your roses, wine or chocolates!

I always tell my students that Procurement department is the superhero of an organisation, we are there to save the day with efficiencies if sales are not coming in.  However now I will go one step further and say that Procurement & Supply chain are the secret superheroes of your relationships on holidays such as Valentines!

I will leave with a little present, as despite all the commerciality I am feeling the love today.  Our Diamond Package doors open again for Level 4 & Level 5 at the end of March to sit the May exams.  If you sign up for the full level we will give you a 10% discount until the 1st of March, a saving of over £200! All you have to do is get in contact quoting Valentines and we will honour the discount.

Have a lovely day no matter if you are coupled or single

Level 3 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1
3
2nd Oct, 16th Oct, 30th Oct
March 2024
M2 & M3
6
15th Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb, 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th Mar
May 2024
M4
3
15th Apr, 22nd Apr, 29th Apr
July 2024
M5
3
3rd June, 10th June, 24th June

Level 6 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1
3
5th Oct, 19th Oct, 9th November
March 2024
M2 & M5
5
25th Jan, 1st Feb, 8th Feb, 22nd Feb, 29th Feb
May 2024
M4 & M7
4
18th April, 25th April, 2nd May, 9th May
July 2024
M3 & M8
5
30th May, 13th June,20th June, 27th June, 4th July

Level 5 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1 & M2
4
4th Oct, 11th Oct, 18th Oct, 25th Oct, 1st Nov, 8th Nov
March 2024
M5, M15 & M9
4
31st Jan, 7th Feb, 21st Feb, 28th Feb, 6th March
May 2024
M3 & M8
4
10th April, 17th April, 24th April, 1st May
July 2024
M4
3
5th June, 12th June, 26th June

Level 4 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1 & M2
5
3rd Oct, 10th Oct, 17th Oct, 24th Oct, 7th Nov
March 2024
M3, M5, M7
6
23rd Jan, 30th Jan, 6th Feb, 20th Feb, 27th Feb, 5th March
May 2024
M4 & M6
4
9th April, 16th April, 23rd April, 30th April
July 2024
M8
3
4th June, 18th June, 2nd July