Overview of SIPMM

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF PURCHASING & MATERIALS MANAGEMENT (SIPMM) is a not-for-profit, independent professional organisation founded in 1972 with the aim to enhance managerial and organisational effectiveness in purchasing, logistics, materials and supply management. The mission of SIPMM is to lead professional purchasing, logistics, materials and supply management in Singapore and the region. At the Institute, we are always continuously developing new courses utilising industry experts and multi-media technologies. We also seek to obtain wider recognition for our profession and professional qualifications.

In 1975, SIPMM became the first Singapore organisation to be admitted to the world body, the International Federation of Purchasing & Supply Management (IFPSM). Since then, the Institute works closely with the fellow national affiliates of IFPSM, and develops strategic relationship with leading institutes worldwide. In 1980, SIPMM initiated a closer co-operation of Asia-Pacific institutes within IFPSM and became the first institute to host the inaugural IFPSM Asia-Pacific regional conference. Subsequently in 1990, the Institute hosted the IFPSM sixth Asia-Pacific regional conference. 

Over the years, SIPMM has expanded its role and scope beyond management development to become the largest leading organisation in Singapore, representing and promoting professional development of purchasing, logistics, materials and supply management. SIPMM has a variety of development programmes that are designed to equip managers and executives with the essential tools and techniques to manage the changing business functions of corporate purchasing and logistics management. A key success factor in the programmes at SIPMM is the continuous reviews of the course curricula, through Quality, Relevance and Strategic (QRS) validation with industry leaders and universities, as partners in professional promotion and development.

SIPMM also offers a variety of professional development seminars and workshops conducted regularly on topics relating to purchasing, logistics, materials and supply management. Besides, special and customised in-house training programmes/consultancy are designed and delivered at the organisation’s premises and at the SIPMM training centre for skills development of personnel and management staff. SIPMM also conducts joint certification with individual organisations as well as joint training of the organisations’ manpower that had immensely benefited many organisations, local and overseas.

SIPMM has collaborated with the World Certification Institute, US to offer competency awards based on either the accreditation or the certification of a practitioner in the specialised field of purchasing, logistics and supply chain management. These awards are designed to validate the competence of a practitioner in the specialised field of the profession.

In 1998, SIPMM successfully conducted a pilot survey on the Singapore Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI). The composite index was designed and developed by Professor Philip Poh, which took into account the Singapore's economic structure. The Singapore PMI was launched in January 1999 and since then, SIPMM has published the monthly index. The Singapore PMI has become a key barometer of the Singapore manufacturing economy and has been widely followed by major local and international media agencies.