Sourcing SORC

Managing, or providing advice on, the procurement or commissioning of products and services.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Support for procurement-related skills, Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions).
Content and/or readability changes have been made to levels 6 and 7.
You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

providing policies and standards for procurement
ensuring compliance with commercial governance, legislation and supplier-related information security requirements
implementing compliant procurement processes, taking full account of the issues and imperatives of both the commissioning and supplier sides
clarifying requirements for products and services
identifying, evaluating and selecting suppliers
evaluating tenders
advising on build or buy criteria as part of strategic sourcing input
evaluating and purchasing cloud-based services
benchmarking supplier performance
placing, monitoring and terminating contracts.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Sourcing: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists in the preparation of pre-qualification questionnaires and tender invitations in response to business cases.

Assembles relevant information for tenders.

Produces detailed evaluation criteria for simple tender criteria.

Assists in the evaluation of tenders.

Sourcing: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Prepares pre-qualification questionnaires and tender invitations in response to business cases.

Recognises the difference between open source and proprietary systems options.

Applies standard procedures and tools to produce detailed evaluation criteria for complex tenders and to evaluate tenders.

Sourcing: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Reviews business cases (requirements, potential benefits and options) and determines appropriate procurement routes.

Using market knowledge to inform specifications, ensures detailed pre-qualification questionnaires and tender invitations are prepared.

Collects and collates data to support collaboration and negotiates terms and conditions to reflect the scale of requirements and encourage optimal performance.

Evaluates tenders based on specification and evaluation criteria, prepares acceptance documentation and advises on contracts and service level agreements.

Sourcing: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Plans and manages procurement activities.

Manages tender, evaluation and acquisition processes. Researches suppliers and markets, and maintains a broad understanding of the commercial environment, to inform and develop commercial strategies and sourcing plans.

Advises on the business case for alternative sourcing models. Advises on policy and procedures covering tendering, the selection of suppliers and procurement.

Negotiates with potential partners and suppliers, developing acceptance criteria and procedures. Drafts and places contracts.

Sourcing: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Develops policy and procedures for sourcing and procurement activities.

Establishes procurement strategies, standards, methods, processes and good practices that ensure compliance with legislation, regulation and information security requirements.

Leads the procurement process, from clarifying requirements through to placing, monitoring and terminating contracts. Conducts complex negotiations and sets parameters for routine negotiations. Ensures terms and conditions align with organisational requirements, current legislation and policy.

Identifies external partners, engaging with professionals in related disciplines as appropriate.

Sourcing: Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

Shapes and leads the organisation's overarching sourcing and procurement strategies, ensuring alignment with the global business vision and long-term objectives.

Assumes full accountability for all sourcing and procurement activities, guiding the organisation's sourcing vision and strategic procurement decisions.

Strategically develops, deploys and continually assesses procurement processes to align with dynamic market conditions and organisational goals.

Leads high-level negotiations for major, organisation-defining contracts, setting negotiation frameworks and strategies that significantly impact the organisation's market position and success.

Large change