Free CIPS L4M6 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers

In the Supplier Preferencing Model:

Core: A buyer with high spend and high attractiveness is viewed as critical by the supplier, encouraging strategic collaboration.

Exploitable: Where buyer spend is high but power is lower, suppliers may exploit the situation by raising prices or setting unfavorable terms.

These are the two scenarios associated with high spend buyers.

Explanation

The correct answers are; They are likely to be able to gain price stability and There may be greater continuity of supply. The other options are an advantage for the supplier rather than the buyer (They will gain an increased volume of business) and a disadvantage of entering into a partnership (The supplier may become complacent). As you may have guessed from these questions – Partnerships come up a LOT in the exam. See p.130 for info on pros and cons of partnerships.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that establishes a confidential relationship between parties. It ensures that any sensitive information shared during the course of a partnership is not disclosed to unauthorized parties. Implementing an NDA fosters trust by providing assurance that proprietary information, trade secrets, and other confidential data are protected. This is particularly crucial in partnerships where open communication and information sharing are essential for success.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Differentiation involves offering unique products or services that are valued by customers, allowing the company to charge premium prices. This strategy focuses on uniqueness and added value rather than competing solely on cost.

Technological factors play a pivotal role in IT equipment supply chains. Advancements, obsolescence, and innovation significantly affect production, cost, and competitiveness, making it a primary focus in supply chain development.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

The Kraljic Matrix is a strategic tool used to segment the supply base and develop differentiated purchasing strategies based on two key dimensions:

Profit Impact (Level of Spend):This refers to the financial significance of the item or service to the organization. High expenditure items have a greater impact on profitability and thus require more strategic sourcing approaches.

Supply Risk (Market Structure):This pertains to the complexity and dynamics of the supply market, including factors like the number of suppliers, market competitiveness, and potential for supply disruptions. Understanding the market structure helps in assessing the risk associated with sourcing particular items.

By analyzing these two factors, organizations can categorize their purchases into four quadrants—non-critical, leverage, bottleneck, and strategic items—and tailor their sourcing strategies accordingly.

Explanation

Tail spend items are low value, high volume. P. 132

The relationship reflects a partnership due to the strategic alignment, resource sharing, and focus on long-term growth, even without a formal contract. CIPS highlights that partnerships are based on trust and collaboration.

Explanation

Using an external supplier always comes with increased risk, as you become dependant upon them, and have less control over their performance (compared to an in-house team). In this example Harry will have the increased risk that the contract cleaners turn up late to their shifts, or don't do a good job. However, there is no reason to believe that the supplier will not perform as well as an internal team- we don't have enough information from the QUESTION NO: for this to be true. What is true is the RISK isgreater. The other answers are incorrect; the QUESTION NO: doesn't indicate whether outsourcing the cleaning will be more or less expensive for Harry. Allowing staff to focus on other areas is an advantage not a disadvantage. See p.4 for more information on 'External Suppliers'

High expenditure levels and the complexity of requirements justify partnership sourcing, as it allows for collaborative problem-solving, innovation, and cost-efficiency. CIPS emphasizes that partnerships are ideal when requirements are complex and require expertise from the supplier.